Litigation: Gold Reef City hit with R3. /6m claim for ride injury

The thrilling Anaconda at Gold Reef City is described as a ‘must ride’, a truly unforgettable experience with a nine out of 10 fear factor. However, Candis Goodwin (42) said in a summons issued in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) that she shattered her left shin bone while she was riding on the Anaconda last year during a team-building outing with her colleagues. A report in The Star says she is blaming the theme park owners for the accident and is claiming R3.6m from Gold Reef City Theme Park (Pty) Ltd. In opposing the claim, the company denied that the incident ever occurred. It said if the court did find that there was such an incident, Goodwin then contributed to it by, among others, not remaining in a safe position.

The company said in its notice to defend, which was filed at court, that there was a clear disclaimer stating that it did not take any responsibility for injuries suffered on the ride. It also said that Goodwin must have changed position after she was secured in her seat and that she tried to put her feet on the seating mechanism in front of her seat. In response to this, Goodwin’s lawyer, Cheri Rudd, filed papers in which she said her client had a right in terms of the Constitution to seek redress with the court. Rudd added that in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, Goodwin had the right to claim compensation. She said the theme park is a ‘supplier’ or a ‘service provider’ and the damages suffered by Goodwin constitute ‘harm’ as envisaged in the Consumer Protection Act. Rudd said any reasonable person in the position of her client would not have expected that there would be a disclaimer to indemnify the park from any liability if anyone got hurt.