Safety man's fears over catapult

Richard Wicks and David Aitkenhead deny manslaughter

An ambulance technician has told a court of his fears over the safety of a catapult device which killed a man.

Kostadin Yankov, 19, died during the stunt on 24 November 2002 at Middlemoor Water Park in Somerset.

Richard Wicks, 33, and David Aitkenhead, 45, of Somerset deny manslaughter.

Gerry Pickard told Bristol Crown Court, he was worried participants had not reached the safety net's centre. The trial continues.

Mr Pickard, who was employed as a safety advisor by Mr Wicks and Mr Aitklenhead, said that on the day Mr Yancov died, he was worried.

Several several people were falling short, reaching the net, but not the safest part in the centre, he told the court.

Mr Yancov, a student at Oxford University from Bulgaria, sustained massive internal injuries in the incident.

He slipped in and out of consciousness and died later, the court heard.

Another prosecution witness said she believed people were falling short of their intended ideal landing spot.