A Middle Park family takes an exclusive first spin on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, which opens to the public on Monday.
EXCLUSIVE: THE Victorian WorkCover Authority is investigating new safety complaints about the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.
The wheel reopened 10 days ago after being shut and dismantled in 2009 after the discovery of structural faults.
Now complaints by several of the wheel's 12,000 visitors about horror rides and operations have prompted the probe.
>> MORE: WHEEL SPINS INTO ACTION IN MELBOURNE
The Herald Sun this week highlighted two traumatised families who said they experienced tilting problems in the same pod days apart, and another family who discovered a crack in a window.
WorkSafe yesterday confirmed that a probe was under way after concerns were raised by a passenger.
Views from the Wheel. Source: News Limited
"A member of the public has made a complaint in relation to an incident on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel," spokesman Peter Flaherty said. "Victorian WorkCover Authority has spoken with the company and is making further inquiries."
>> READ: OBSERVATION WHEEL SPINS INTO TROUBLE
Mr Flaherty declined to comment further on the nature of the authority's investigation.
The wheel's operator yesterday declined to comment on the WorkSafe probe, or say whether it had also contacted the authority.
"Melbourne Star Management Group can confirm that WorkSafe were heavily involved in the two months of commissioning and registration and we remain in regular communication with them," wheel spokeswoman Sally Abbott said.
"We have no further comment to make on this issue."
The Docklands wheel is under investigation from WorkSafe. Source: News Limited
Customer Aaron, who asked not to be further identified, told the Herald Sun he called WorkSafe on Monday after his wife and other passengers were left "shaking and in tears" after a ride in cabin eight on Saturday.
"There are 21 pods there with exactly the same build - you need to check every other pod to make sure the same thing can't occur," he said.
Aaron said he, his wife and three children was with his wife, daughters aged 14 and 4, son, 12, a brother-in-law and his girlfriend, and two other women in their 20s were about 16 minutes into the ride when the pod stuck and began tilting as the wheel turned.
His wife and the two 20-year-olds became "hysterical" as the wheel was stopped and they were told on the emergency intercom to stand evenly around the pod, face inward and hold on to the rail.
Lily Green, 9 and Mabel Green were in Cabin 8 of the Observation Wheel with their family on Christmas Day when the cabin malfunctioned. Photo: Josie Hayden Source: News Limited
The operators have confirmed an "early warning" alarm was triggered on both occasions but have repeatedly refused to say what triggered the alarm, whether the two incidents were connected, or even if the same pod was involved.
On Monday, Mr Kelly said guests "may have felt a slight vibration" after the operator activated a routine "precautionary procedure" but was adamant the cabin "did not tilt or rock at any stage".
He refuses to answer questions about the mechanics of the wheel or the pods, saying: "It is not our policy to comment on the specifics due to the highly complex engineering and electrical systems that operate the Star."
Asked if the same cabin was involved in both incidents, he said: "It is not our policy to divulge this information as we don't want people to needlessly avoid specific cabins in the future.
The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Source: News Limited
Needless to say, we would never put a cabin into service that was not completely safe for guests and staff.
"All cabins operate on individual systems and standard operating procedure required that this cabin has been taken out of service whilst a full investigation is undertaken. This has no impact on the safe operation of the remaining 20 cabins at the Melbourne Star."
The Herald Sun revealed in October the wheel's Japanese owner Sanoyas Rides wanted the wheel reopened in time for Christmas.
Sanoyas, which also rebuilt the wheel, bought it from ING Real Estate for an undisclosed sum. The original ride opened in December 2008 but closed just 40 days later due to cracks caused by extreme heat.
As manager of the state's workplace safety system, WorkSafe is responsible for enforcing occupational health and safety laws, ensuring the safe use of high-risk equipment and overseeing workers' compensation and insurance.
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