Sunwest International, trading as Grand West Casino in Cape Town, is liable for the damages suffered by a four-year-old girl who was electrocuted by a live wire while clinging to the metal rail at the mini ice-skating rink.

The Cape Argus reports that the father of the child, who is not identified as his daughter is a minor, turned to the Western Cape High Court to claim damages after his child was injured during the January 2020 incident.

The father testified that his child was standing next to him at the rink, holding on to a steel pole when she suddenly cried out.

He noticed an exposed electrical wire on the floor. A red mark was visible on his child’s hand and he concluded she had been electrocuted.

Paramedics applied burn gel to her hand and under her feet and he then took her to an emergency medical centre, the father testified.

The manager of the engineering, electrical and operations department at the casino testified that an independent contractor had earlier set up a Christmas tree at Grand West and later dismantled it.

She said after the contractor removed the tree, wires were left on strands of lights for the electrical department (to remove).

The court said considering the nature of the business and the public’s expectation of safety and the lack of any explanation regarding whether it was safe after the tree was removed, it is clear the defendant was grossly negligent.

The issue of the quantum of damages has not yet been not decided.

The matter was postponed indefinitely.

Full Cape Argus report