60s Fall from Smob Ride at Anseong Starfield
No Safety Link Attached... No Safety Net or Mat
One-Month New Part-Time Worker as Safety Staff... Police Investigation
Recently, a woman in her 60s fell to her death while using an indoor bungee jump at Starfield located in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It was found that the safety personnel present at the site were not experts with safety-related qualifications or skills, but rather a part-time worker who had been on the job for only two weeks.
Bungee jumping equipment at Starfield Anseong where a passenger fall accident occurred. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 27th, JTBC reported, "At the bungee jump site in Anseong Starfield, only part-time workers were assigned as safety personnel, and there were no ground fall prevention nets or shock-absorbing mats." Shinsegae Property, which operates Starfield, delegates safety measures to the tenants, and it is known that part-time workers undergo about 5 to 10 days of training after joining Smob.
According to the police, at around 4:20 PM on the 26th, a woman in her 60s, identified as Ms. A, fell from an 8-meter-high bungee jump device while using 'Smob,' a play experience area on the 3rd floor of Anseong Starfield. 'Smob' is one of the leased stores in Starfield, offering play facilities for sports such as climbing, trampolining, and basketball. The device Ms. A used involved wearing a harness (chest strap) connected to a ceiling rope via a carabiner (connector). When safety equipment is properly worn, the speed gradually decreases before hitting the ground, preventing fall accidents.
Ms. A was wearing safety equipment at the time, but it was reported that the carabiner was not fastened. She fell onto the concrete floor and was transported to the hospital while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a state of cardiac arrest but ultimately passed away. The police are investigating the company officials to determine if there were any issues with safety management or employee supervision. In particular, they are examining whether it was appropriate for Mr. B, who had been employed for only about a month, to be in charge of bungee jump safety management. Mr. B has been criminally charged as the primary person responsible for this accident. During the police investigation, he reportedly stated, "I accidentally did not fasten the safety hook connecting the body and the rope," and added, "I do not know why I did that."
Shinsegae Property stated, "We are deeply sorry and devastated for the bereaved family. We will work with Smob to explore all possible measures to help them recover from their psychological and physical pain as soon as possible." The Anseong Starfield Smob where the accident occurred will be temporarily closed.
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