A mobile climbing wall company has paid £10,000 in compensation after being found to have improperly supervised a minor who fractured her leg after falling without a safety rope.

Jade Raynor, who was 15 years old at the time of the incident, was at the Basil Russell Playing Fields where the independent contractor had set up the climbing wall.

No safety rope

After climbing to the top of the wall, Jade let go in order to drop back down but was unaware that the supervisor hadn’t attached a belay line to her harness which would have kept her secure. She fell 24 feet to the floor and fractured her leg.

No apology

Jade said: “The accident has really affected me. I used to dance and play football and I can’t do those things anymore. I still have a lot of pain in my leg and back, but the company never acknowledged or apologised for what happened.”

Legal support through UNISON

Jade’s mother is a UNISON member so Jade was able to access free legal support from Thompsons Solicitors.

UNISON regional secretary in the East Midlands, Helen Black, said: “UNISON is committed to the welfare of not only our members but their families, especially children, whose safety should be paramount.”

Claire White from Thompsons Solicitors said: “The company denied liability throughout, but it was clear that it was in the wrong. The fact that the company failed to keep Jade properly secured at all times is clearly irresponsible, and resulted in a child being put at risk of very serious harm.”