Gov’t reminds guardians of new zip-line guidelines following accident

Guardians and parents should refrain from giving their children a push on the new zip-line facility installed at the Main Reservoir Promenade, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) warned.

An area near the Macao Water Treatment Plant on the promenade had earlier undergone a revamp and new facilities were installed, including a children’s zip-line that has the user seated about a meter above ground while sliding from one side to the other.

The area was reopened for public use October 1.

On Tuesday, however, a boy was injured while playing on the facility, leading to operations being suspended for over an hour. At about 6:40 p.m. the same evening, the suspension was lifted, and the facility reopened.

Paramedics found the boy bleeding with fractures to his forehead. He remained conscious after the accident and was sent to the private Kiang Wu Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Public Security Police Force (PSP) noted that further investigations will be required to determine the cause of the accident.

Another parent has told a Radio Macau program that the parent’s daughter was injured while playing on the zip-line.

Although as of press time the cause of the accident has not been announced, the IAM issued a statement to remind guardians and parents to be mindful of safety while their children are playing at the promenade, “with particular emphasis on the children’s zip-line,” as the statement noted.

The IAM pointed out that the zip-line facility uses a steady incline to allow players to move from one side to another. External force is not necessary to facilitate its operation.