Funfair rides inspected by police after children injured in slide collapse

AN INVESTIGATION has begun into the collapse of an inflatable slide at a fireworks funfair that resulted in eight children being taken to hospital.

Seven of the children, all under 16, had been discharged yesterday following the incident in Woking, Surrey.

One boy was kept in for overnight observations but suffered injuries “not thought to be significant”, Surrey Police said.

Officers declared a major incident at Woking Fireworks after multiple children fell from the “giant inflatable slide” at about 7.30pm on Saturday, shortly before the display was due to start.

Fireworks organiser Michael Holden, of Woking District Rotary, said the circumstances of the incident were unclear.

“We don’t still know yet what exactly happened but eight children appear to have come off near the top of the slide and landed on the floor alongside it,” he said.

He estimated that around 5,000 people were in the park when the slide collapsed.

One witness said he was concerned earlier that evening when he saw up to 40 children playing on the “flimsy” slide at once.

Police have appealed for anyone with footage of what happened to contact them.

The investigation is now with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the force added.

A cordon remained in place yesterday and the collapsed slide had been completely deflated.

Police investigators with cameras were inspecting other attractions, including the crooked house and the Ferris wheel.

HSE inspectors were also in attendance, with a spokeswoman confirming “initial inquiries” were being made.