The Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, was plunged into mourning this past weekend after a tragic workplace accident claimed the life of Corrie Lee-Stavers, a 28-year-old fairground worker originally from the Sunderland area. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, August 23, 2025, has left the local community, his family, and colleagues reeling with shock and grief.
Shortly after 2:15 pm on Saturday, Northumbria Police received a report of a serious accident at the Spanish City Plaza, where the annual funfair was in full swing for the August Bank Holiday weekend. Emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance Service, a rapid response paramedic, a clinical team leader, and even an off-duty medic, rushed to the scene after reports that a man had been seriously injured while working on a fairground ride. Despite their best efforts, Mr. Lee-Stavers suffered severe head injuries and was declared dead shortly after being attended to at the scene and en route to the hospital, according to statements from Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service.
The funfair, which had been scheduled to run from Thursday, August 21, through the Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, was immediately closed following the accident. Organizers announced the closure would remain in effect for the remainder of the weekend and potentially beyond, as a mark of respect and to allow the funfair community time to grieve. In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Summer City Funfairs, which operates the event, shared, "We are heartbroken to share that one of our much-loved colleagues has sadly passed away following a tragic accident at Spanish City Funfair on Saturday 23rd August, 2025. Our team is like a family and we are all deeply affected by this loss. As a mark of respect, Spanish City Funfair will remain closed this weekend, while we take the time to grieve together. We kindly ask you for your understanding, and our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at this very sad time."
The tragedy unfolded in front of stunned families and funfair visitors, many of whom were reportedly left horrified by the events. According to The Mirror, Mr. Lee-Stavers was reportedly hit or crushed by the ride he was operating, though the precise details of the incident remain under investigation. Northumbria Police promptly contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is now assisting with a comprehensive inquiry to determine exactly what happened and whether any safety protocols were breached.
Specialist officers have been assigned to support Mr. Lee-Stavers's next of kin during this unimaginably difficult time. In a moving tribute released through the police and widely shared across social media, his family expressed their profound heartbreak: "It's with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved Corrie has passed away. He was tragically taken from us in an accident while working on a fairground ride. None of us were prepared for this, and the pain of losing him so suddenly is impossible to put into words. Our lives will never be the same without him, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever. We love you endlessly, Corrie, and we miss you more than words can ever say. You're with our mam now – rest in peace Corrie."
Corrie’s sister, Ashley McCabe, also took to Facebook to share her personal grief, writing, "My life will never be the same." The family has requested privacy as they process their loss, and Northumbria Police reiterated this plea in their own statement, saying, "Corrie’s family have asked for privacy whilst they process the loss of their loved one. Our thoughts are with the man's family at this extremely difficult time."
The impact of Corrie Lee-Stavers’s death has been felt far beyond his immediate family. Colleagues and friends flooded social media with tributes, describing him as "the most genuine lad" and "a massive miss." One former colleague wrote, "Thinking of you all, absolutely loved him. Was by far one of my best friends in the years I worked with him. He will be so missed." The sense of camaraderie and family among funfair workers was echoed in the statement from Turners Funfairs, which emphasized, "Our team is like a family and we are all deeply affected by this loss."
The annual Spanish City Summer Funfair is a beloved tradition in Whitley Bay, drawing families from across the region with its classic rides and festive atmosphere. This year, the event was billed online as returning "for lots of family fun" and featuring traditional favorites including the Waltzer. The abrupt closure following the accident left many regular attendees and local residents in shock, with the community rallying around Corrie’s loved ones in their time of need.
As investigators from the Health and Safety Executive and Northumbria Police work to piece together the sequence of events, attention has turned to workplace safety standards at temporary entertainment venues. While accidents at funfairs are rare, they are always subject to rigorous scrutiny given the potential risks involved in operating heavy machinery in crowded public settings. The HSE’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident, and their findings will be closely watched by operators and regulators nationwide.
Northumbria Police have appealed to anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Members of the public can contact the force by sending a direct message on social media, using the live chat or report form functions on the police website, or by calling 101 and quoting the reference number NP-20250823-0616.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the story of Corrie Lee-Stavers serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that workers in all sectors can face. His family’s words—"We love you endlessly, Corrie, and we miss you more than words can ever say"—capture the depth of their loss and the enduring impact he had on those around him. For now, the Spanish City Funfair stands silent, its closure a testament to the life of a young man gone too soon and the collective grief of a community united in remembrance.
