A holidaymaker suffered a broken leg in a terrifying incident at Center Parcs, fearing he was “going to drown” as he raced down the waterslide. David Cannon was embarking on the Canyon Ride at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, when disaster struck. The 64-year-old recounted hearing a “crack” and experiencing intense pain at the start of the slide. Immobilised and with the water’s current beneath him, David endured the entire ride with his leg “flopping” uncontrollably.
“The pain was unreal,” he recounted. “At that point I’m on the slide – I can’t go back. It felt like the longest slide in the world. I had to pull myself at either side with my arms, going down like an idiot to stop my leg hurting any more.” David explained that he had no control as his leg had snapped, leaving it flopping around, causing him immense discomfort. He recounted, “I couldn’t move it. It was absolutely unbelievable. How I was going to get to the bottom was beyond me. I thought I was going to drown.”
David had previously enjoyed other slides at the Center Parcs facility without issue. On this occasion, he was attempting the Canyon Ride alongside his 14-year-old stepdaughter. Despite information signage for the ride, David alleged there was insufficient instruction on proper embarkation. He mentioned challenges in using the handrail on the left-hand side during his attempt to lower himself onto the slide – a claim countered by Center Parcs, stating that all safety measures are in place.
After exiting the slide at the pool, David had difficulty getting out until his stepdaughter alerted a lifeguard, leading to an assessment by the Center Parcs medical team. Awaiting aid for two hours at the poolside, David was then taken to Cumberland Hospital in Carlisle by ambulance, where he faced a lengthy five-hour wait in A&E before an X-ray confirmed his broken femur. David underwent surgery to pin and plate his leg during a six-day hospital stay.
More than three months post-incident, David still experiences significant discomfort and is unable to bear weight on his left leg for eight weeks. He is advocating for Center Parcs to make modifications to the ride to prevent similar incidents. Center Parcs responded by reassuring that all safety features of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise element have been reviewed. They stressed their dedication to guest and colleague safety, asserting that appropriate measures are in place throughout the facility.
David’s distressing experience has sparked discussions regarding safety precautions and ride instructions at the popular holiday destination. Concerns raised by guests like David highlight the importance of clear safety guidelines and adequate supervision in recreational facilities to prevent accidents and injuries. As investigations continue into the incident, there is a growing emphasis on ensuring the utmost safety for all visitors at Center Parcs and similar leisure venues.