Woman killed after being dragged beneath fairground ride in 1923

Summarised from Dorset Echo's report · Updated 6 Nov, 10:08 · Archive

A woman died after being dragged beneath a moving fairground ride at Portland Fair in 1923.

Mrs Sarah Ingle, 50, of Artists Row, Portland, died in 1923 after being dragged beneath a moving electric switchback ride at Portland Fair. An inquest conducted by Col G P Symes, Coroner of South Dorset, heard that she apparently stepped forward to help a child onto the ride, which was moving at pace. The ride consisted of eight cars travelling in a circle, positioned level with a platform with approximately six inches between them.

Dr Harton, surgeon at Weymouth Hospital, said Mrs Ingle was admitted to hospital around 8.10pm following the accident. She had been living when first admitted. The main cause of death was haemorrhage caused by rupture of several veins and her spleen, with fractures also sustained to her lower ribs on the right side. A witness said people were attempting to board the cars as they passed when someone called out that a woman was underneath one. The ride was stopped, and the witness reported the woman appeared to have been knocked down and then dragged beneath a car.

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• Tragedy at Dorset fair as woman was dragged beneath moving rideA 1923 inquest revealed how a woman was fatally injured after being dragged beneath a moving ride at Portland Fair.Dorset Echo · 6 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Mrs Sarah Ingle · Portland Fair · Portland · Dorset

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