Astham Advice Helpline Industry News - Inflatable artwork’s safety system fails and two people die

Newcastle Crown Court has been hearing how the safety precautions for an inflatable artwork were so amateurish and inadequate that it resulted in the death of two women. Artist, Maurice Agis, who is 77 years old, created the huge structure, which spanned the size of half a football pitch, and secured it with only some pegs and ropes. He denies two charges of manslaughter which have been brought against him after the wind tore free the giant Dreamspace V, twisted it into the air and then dropped it to the ground, killing two women who were inside.

According to the evidence given in court, Agis had not undertaken any tests to determine the maximum safe wind speed and had considered a bank of trees to be a sufficient wind break. There had been concerns raised by some at the scene as wind had been seen to be lifting the artwork off the ground, Also, when it had exhibited elsewhere in the UK, an evacuation had taken place because of gusty winds.