How tragic... but like any public installation it would seem that part of the responsibility lay with the constabulary, or whatever public organization is responsible for public safety; I'm thinking specifically of playgrounds for instance.

If the sculpture had become a kind of playground for adults and children, then perhaps over time the structure also became compromised and there needed to be some sort of interface with public officials to inspect it regularly like all public works, and hold the artist responsible for upgrading its moorings.

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US

One would have thought that the park or wherever it was placed would have to be certain of safety before giving a permit for it to be located where and how it tethered. Clearly it was a freak wind that caused it to liftt this way and it is sad for the injuries to have happened. It is simple for people to just blame the artist but when there is a freak wind and a plane goes down due to wind shear, everyone gets off on a freak accident. I hope that the investigation sorts out responsibility and stops with the blame game. This is an old guy who entertained many with this work and never before had there been any issues with it. Nature does freakish things and clearly ground attachments were insufficient. This is both a public issue of responsibility not unlike a competently designed bus whose parking brakes were not applied on a hill. One does not blame the manufacturer for that but the installation ( parking) and thus the inspectors who permitted this in a public space.

Neil Fiertel, Spruce Grove , Canada (Alberta)

This seems to have been an accident (and accidents will happen as Elvis Costello once sang). Nothing more, nothing less, so to charge somone for manslaugher doesn't seem quite right.

Stephen Weeks, London, UK

Gotta blame something or someone..human nature dudes....i think the devil did it!!!!!!

E5150, Hades, Hell

Don from London

Please take a moment to review your puzzling statement. How the hell you can blame the government for this ?

How ?

It would have been the artists responsibilty to ensure that the artwork...or should i say. Coloured tent. Was secured sufficiently under the conditions. it was clearly not.

People DIED. Children MAIMED

This so called " artist " may have failed to ensure the safety of those people that he made money from.

Yes, it wasnt intentional, thats why its manslaughter, but please take a look at the responsibilities for these deaths and injuries.

Blame the government ???? Good God !! What next ?

Dave, Lincoln,

It was an unfortunate incident and it is even more unfortunate that the state has decided to prosecute Mr. Agis for the tragedy. The report mentions that the artwork has been around for 10 years and this is the first tragedy to befall it. If anyone should be blamed then it is the government for not taking precautionary measures and bring legislations for such exhibitions

don, London, London

I wondered how this could be manslaughter.Then we see the health & stupidity executive are involved,and then it became clear as crystal.The conclusion to this could be,a man of 76 locked in a cage for the rest of his life.Lets hope the jury see sense.

Ray Barrett, Daventry, England

On the face of it this seems morelike a terrible tragedy than something that warrants a manslaughter prosecution.

Matt, Berkshire,

From the report it is not clear if the artist was wholly responsible for erecting and securing the sculpture and although this is a terrible accident how can one man be charged with manslaughter?

Eileen Sherman, Els Poblets, Spain

On the face of it, this seems more likea terrible tragedy than something that warrants a manslaughter prosecution.

Matt, Berkshire,