Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Footage shows moment plane crashes into Ferris wheel at funfair

'Oh God, it's going to crash,' witness Amber Christine Arndell repeatedly screams in the footage 

Toyin Owoseje
Tuesday 12 March 2019 09:09 EDT
Comments
Horrifying moment plane crashes into ferris wheel at funfair in Australia in 2011

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Footage has been released showing the moment a light aircraft crashed into a Ferris wheel at an Australian funfair.

Pilot Paul Clarendon Cox was flying his Cheetah Sierra 200 with his son-in-law in the passenger seat when it hit the ride at the Old Bar Beach Festival in 2011.

The collision was filmed by Amber Christine Ardell, then 13, who was on the ride with her younger brother Jessie.

In the video released by the New South Wales Supreme Court on Monday, she can be heard screaming in fear as the aircraft heads towards them.

"Oh look, Jessie, a plane. We're going to watch a plane. Oh god, it's going to crash, it's going to crash, it's going to crash. Oh my god," Ms Arndell says in the video before a loud bang is heard.

Her younger sibling can then be heard screaming for his mother before asking his sister “Are we going to drop?”

Ms Ardell does her best to reassure him that they will be OK whilst begging staff below to let them off the ride.

The video is being used as part of her lawsuit against the Greater Taree City Council.

She claimed the council owed her a duty of care and she suffers from psychological issues as a result of what happened.

Mr Cox is also suing the council for negligence, saying it failed to close the airstrip when it knew allowing the Ferris wheel to be erected nearby would be potentially hazardous.

The council also failed to identify that the ride's location caused a potential obstruction, he stated.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Although he was physically injured, court documents state that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, specific disorder and depression as a result of the crash.

He said has also developed an obsessional fear of sharp objects, which leaves him “afraid that pens will hurt him”, the lawsuit added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in