Sculptor facing charges over deaths

12 April 2012

The creator of an inflatable artwork which flipped over and killed two people was charged with manslaughter.

Artist Maurice Agis, 76, from Bow, east London, who conceived the multi-coloured Dreamspace sculpture, was charged following a lengthy police investigation into the tragedy in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, in July 2006.

Claire Furmedge, 38, from Chester-le-Street and 68-year-old Elizabeth Collings, from Seaham, died while they were exploring inside the artwork which was on a national tour.

Another 13 visitors were injured, among them Rosie Wright, then aged three, whose life was saved by a passing anaesthetist and the prompt action of an air ambulance crew who flew her to hospital.

The plastic inflatable flipped into the air on a hot afternoon when Riverside Park was busy with visitors.

Inflated by large fans, the panelled 50m x 50m PVC structure was big enough for people to enter and explore its confines, experiencing changing colours and sounds.

It slipped its moorings, reared up and tipped over, hitting a CCTV camera close to the River Wear.

The artist was seen vainly trying to grab on to a rope to stop the inflatable taking off.

Dreamspace received £60,000 from the Arts Council for a UK tour, and had already visited Liverpool.

The remains of the structure were taken away by police and subjected to rigorous testing.

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