An investigation is under way after a teenager broke his neck being thrown 15ft from a fairground ride.

Landscape gardener Mark Evans, pictured, suffered his injuries after falling off the Shockwave ride at Thame Fair. He has had metal staples fitted to keep his neck in place at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

A hospital spokesman said the 18-year-old's condition was stable and his mother Lesley remained by his bedside yesterday. Health and safety executive officias have launched an investigation into the accident on Thursday night.

Mrs Evans warned parents not to let children on the ride until the investigation was complete.

She said: "Mark has suffered a broken neck. He was suddenly jolted out of the ride and thrown backwards on to concrete. He will need a bone graft operation. I would like to warn others not to go on the ride." HSE officials were on site yesterday but the ride could reopen quickly if the initial inspection failed to find any mechanical faults.

HSE spokesman Alison Clark said: "They will take statements from everyone involved, including those running the ride and any witnesses, to try to establish exactly what happened. They will also examine the ride in detail, looking at the mechanics to try to find out exactly what went wrong."

Thame Mayor Mike Le Mesurier said: "I am very sorry it has happened but we have not had any accidents like this for ages."

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