SCHOOL-TRIP TERROR ON SPLASH CANYON
Tragedy as girl, 11, dies after water plunge
A SCHOOLGIRL died after plunging from a theme park water ride yesterday.
The 11-year-old was on a school trip when she fell into the five-foot deep water.
An air ambulance took her to hospital but she died shortly afterwards.
Onlookers believed the youngster may have hit her head and drowned on the popular Splash Canyon ride at Drayton Manor theme park in Tamworth, Staffs. Graham Johnstone, 40, said: “It was awful. All you could hear was crying coming from the steps leading to the ride entrance.”
Police Supt Carl Ratcliffe said specially trained officers were supporting the victim’s family. She was a pupil at Leicester’s Jameah Girls’ Academy, an independent Islamic school.
Last night the city’s Muslims Association posted an online message of support. The incident comes after riders were reportedly kicked off the Splash Canyon ride as it repeatedly failed.
Anne Bowyer, a poet, tweeted: “It kept breaking down a few weeks back, told to get on, then get off it. Happened to a few people.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a girl with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff.
“Ambulance staff administered advanced life support before she was flown to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with the doctor continuing treatment en-route.
“Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital the girl passed away.”
George Bryan, son of Drayton Manor chief Colin Bryan, said he was “truly shocked and devastated”.
Drayton Manor’s website describes Splash Canyon as “the most unpredictable and thrilling of river rapid rides”.