Bounce Fined $40,000 After 11-Year-Old Boy Falls 4m from Climbing Wall, Fractures Sternum and Injures Back

 Popular trampoline and adventure park Bounce has been fined $40,000 after an 11-year-old boy fell four metres from a climbing wall, resulting in serious injuries. The incident, which occurred at one of Bounce's facilities, left the young boy with a fractured sternum and back injuries, sparking an investigation into safety protocols at the venue.

The boy was participating in a climbing activity when he fell from a significant height, landing on the ground below. Despite being rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment, the injuries were severe and required a lengthy recovery period. The court heard that the child was not properly secured with harness equipment at the time of the accident, raising concerns about the company’s adherence to safety standards.

In response to the incident, WorkSafe initiated an investigation that identified several failings in the park’s safety procedures. The investigation found that safety checks had been inadequate and that the climbing area lacked proper supervision and sufficient safeguards to prevent falls.

The $40,000 fine was issued by the court following Bounce’s guilty plea for breaching workplace health and safety regulations. In its ruling, the court emphasized the gravity of the incident and the long-term impact on the young boy’s life, stating that the injuries could have been avoided if proper safety measures were in place.

Bounce has since apologized for the incident and issued a public statement expressing regret over the young boy’s injuries. The company claims to have taken immediate steps to improve safety protocols, including reviewing staff training, increasing supervision in high-risk areas, and upgrading harness and climbing equipment.

The parents of the injured boy have spoken out following the court decision, urging adventure parks and recreational venues to take safety seriously. "We hope no other family has to go through what we have. This could have been avoided with proper precautions,” the boy’s mother said.

While the fine serves as a reminder for companies to uphold stringent safety measures, the incident has renewed calls for stronger regulation and oversight in the adventure park industry to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.