Summerland: Survivors and relatives vow to continue campaign to overturn inquest verdict

Bid to overturn decision not to order fresh inquests dismissed

Survivors and bereaved relatives of those who died in the Summerland Disaster say they will continue to fight on in their efforts to overturn the original inquest verdict into the tragedy.

On the evening of 2 August 1973, a fire tore through the leisure complex on Douglas Promenade with around 3,000 local residents and holidaymakers inside. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured.

The fire was started when three boys set an outdoor kiosk alight.

A short inquest held in 1974 ruled their deaths were as a result of 'misadventure'.

In recent years, surviving family members have sought to have the inquests into the deaths reopened and the verdict, which has been described as "distressing" and "wrong", overturned.

[Image: Manx National Heritage]

In May 2025, Attorney General Walter Wannenburgh declined an application put forward by the human rights firm Phoenix Law on behalf of the Justice for Summerland Campaign Group saying there was 'no new evidence' to justify fresh inquests.

Read more HERE.

An appeal against that decision has today (30 July) been dismissed by the High Court.

In his judgment, Deemster Andrew Corlett said there was no basis upon which he could interfere with the Attorney General's decision.

"There is no legal error revealed by the Attorney General's decision", he added.

Whilst acknowledging the decision not to grant the doleance claim would be upsetting to the campaigners, he stressed it was based on 'a strict legal analysis of the Attorney General's decision'.

Deemster Corlett made no order in respect of costs, with the campaign group's advocate Steven Coren stating that there were 'proper legal arguments put forward in good faith' for the appeal to be heard.

He also argued that such a move, to impose costs, would have been 'unconscionable' considering the case was brought by 'a survivor seeking answers'.

In terms of an appeal, Deemster Corlett directed the group to take up the matter with the court's Appeals Division. 

Mr Coren said the group had seven grounds for bringing about an appeal against the decision, including, in the claimant's opinion, that the Attorney General gave inadequate weight to the wishes of the bereaved or the likelihood that an alternative verdict would be reached.

"My resolve and that of other bereaved families is unwavering."

Following the short hearing inside Douglas Courthouse, Jackie Hallam, who escaped the Summerland fire with life-changing burns but lost her Mum and best friend in the blaze, delivered a statement on behalf of the campaign group.

Standing beside her was Jane Stevenson whose grandmother was killed at Summerland alongside her friend whilst holidaying on the Island.

In the statement, Jackie said: "We're grateful to the court for hearing our doleance claim challenging the Attorney General's decision to refuse our application of March 2025 for a fresh inquest.

"Whilst we are pleased to be here at all today to hear this ruling after a long delay, of course we're naturally disappointed by the decision.

"However, we have no hesitation in seeking permission to appeal.

"The 53rd anniversary of the Summerland fire is in three days' time.

"My resolve and that of other bereaved families is unwavering. Our journey continues.

"Our focus is firmly on the steps ahead and we will continue to seek to follow the proper channels as we look to achieve our goal of a fresh inquest for the victims of this epic tragedy.

"I would like to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent personal messages in recent weeks. Your support has been deeply appreciated."

The Attorney General has expressed his sincere sympathy to all those who lost loved ones in the Summerland disaster, and to the survivors and families who continue to be affected by the events of 1973.