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Brilliant Tunnel of Terror spoilt by youths involved in assault and damage
01/11/2023
A female actor was assaulted and a prop broken by youths, spoiling an otherwise brilliant atmosphere
Whilst a large number of people thoroughly enjoyed a Banbury Halloween fundraiser, the actions of a small group of youths have left a sour taste for those involved in setting up and running the attraction.
The team behind the Tunnel Of Terror at The Fairway had to endure an assault and damage to their property during two separate incidents involving youths on Tuesday.
The Tunnel of Terror was the brainchild of Tracey Kovacs, who for the past few years has created a series of spooky walkways around the back of her property. Over the weekend, and on Halloween, hundreds of people visited the attraction and made donations to this year’s chosen charity – the Let’s Play Project.
The first two nights went well, and on Halloween long queues formed. But during the evening a prop worth £300 was broken in an incident involving three teenage girls.
Later a group of boys were involved in a separate incident with one of the live actors in the tunnel. The lady – who’s in her 60s – was assaulted, resulting in a bleeding nose.
Tracey was called into the tunnel just after the incident occurred.
She said: “I was so angry they assaulted Mandy – there was no need. She’s in her 60s and takes her time to come and help us with this fundraising event. And then there were the props that were pulled down.
“It did upset me because a lot of work and effort has gone into it. A large group pulled together to make this happen and for a small group to ruin it I was very upset about that.”
Following the assault the female actor returned to her role in the Tunnel so as not to disappoint those still queueing for entry, but remains shaken by the event.
Around twenty people volunteered to help create the memorable Halloween experience for visitors.
Despite the two incidents Tracey was otherwise happy that people had enjoyed themselves – at one point the wait time for entry was around 90 minutes, but everyone was in good spirits.
Tracey said: “It was brilliant. Every year we get a great atmosphere. We had a great crowd that was waiting patiently and it was going really smoothly.”
The total raised is not yet known with Tracey still counting the cash and online donations having been paid directly to the Let’s Play Project.
Despite the problems with a small group of teenagers Tracey is not going to let that put her off setting up the Tunnel of Terror again next year.
She said: “Definitely not. We won’t let them ruin our fundraising events for these needy charities. We’re not going to allow that to stop us.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam