Carnival-goers to be denied thrill of reverse bungee ride
Organisers of the World Carnival have not applied to bring the reverse bungee thrill ride to the event, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said yesterday.
World Carnival Limited, which will run the two-month fair at the Tamar site, said on Wednesday it was negotiating with the department over the ride, but a department spokesman said yesterday that it had not received an application.
The reverse bungee flings two occupants strapped inside a capsule up to 60 metres into the air at speeds approaching 160km/h.
World Carnival co-ordination manager Klafke Kragt said it had not attempted to get the ride approved this year because the department refused an application for it last year.
'We checked with them again this year, but they didn't want to hear about it,' Ms Kragt said.
'It's a typical Hong Kong government statement: it says 'this in the books, so we can't do anything for you'.'
The Amusement Rides (Safety) Ordinance does not explicitly prohibit reverse bungee devices, but it stipulates that all rides must meet stringent safety requirements before they are approved.
The department spokesman said: 'There's a great diversity in the design of these rides, and it is very difficult to pinpoint a specific requirement for a particular ride. Hence, every ride has to be considered on a case-by-case basis.'
Nick Gesler, manager of Bungee Rocket in Hervey Bay, Australia, said the safety level of reverse bungee-type rides was extremely high.
'Their safety is at least 10 times that of ordinary bungee jumping. I tell you, they're fabulous. Where else are you going to go from zero to 180km/h in 1.2 seconds? I really hope that guy gets it in.'
