Two teenagers cheated death in a travelling fairground accident caused by a ''dangerous'' high-speed ride, a court heard today.

The three local youngsters were in a car on the Ultimate Buzz ride during a carnival on Teesside in the summer of 2000 when it came loose and flew through the air.

Youngster Stacey Moorhead, then 14, suffered a punctured lung, fractured ribs and broken bones while friend David Mole, 15, suffered a broken collarbone and leg injuries and third youngster, Paul Wilkinson, 17, suffered minor injuries.

Ride operator Gilbert Findlay Jnr, a member of the Glasgow branch of the Showmen's Guild, has denied one charge of failing to maintain equipment and ensure public safety under Health and Safety legislation.

Findlay Jnr, 34, of Cuningar Estate, Farm Cross, Rutherglen, Glasgow, today appeared at Teesside Crown Court, where he denied breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, contrary to Section 33 (1).

Ride inspector Brian Black, 54, of Cross Hill Drive, Bathgate, West Lothian, today admitted the same charge and his case was adjourned.

Teesside Crown Court today heard how the incident was ''an accident waiting to happen'' because of the state of the fixings on the cars which secured them to metal circular tracks.

The Ultimate Buzz is a 20-car ride which follows an undulating track at various speeds.

The court was told that Stacey Moorhead spent a week in hospital, including two days in intensive care while David Mole was also hospitalised for a week.

Tony Hawks, prosecuting, told the court: ''Because of the poor state of the fixings the car simply gave way and the car these three unfortunate teenagers were sitting in simply took off, flew through the air and crashed to the ground. ''Given the nature of the injuries it does not take a genius to realise these two young people were extremely lucky not to be killed.

''Given that it was quite obvious that the accident must have been caused by the failure of the mounting points and that's where the investigation concentrated.

''It found that the mounting points were, to put it simply, in a disgraceful and dangerous condition.

''The state of the mounting points of some of the cars had reached such a state of deterioration that this was an accident waiting to happen.''

Mr Hawks told the jury that Black, who had previously inspected the ride, had pleaded guilty and that while his involvement as a ride examiner was an integral part of Findlay's case, Findlay was responsible for the ride as its owner and operator.

Mr Hawks added: ''He can't hide behind Black to avoid his responsibility. He saw these fixings and must have realised they needed looking at.'' The hearing continues. .