Girl, 11, dies after fall on theme park ride
An 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
The girl, from the Leicester area, fell from the Splash Canyon water ride at Tamworth-based Drayton Manor Theme Park yesterday afternoon.
Company director George Bryan said: “We are all truly shocked and devastated.”
AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl has died after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
The girl, who is from the Leicester area, fell from the Splash Canyon water ride at Tamworth-based Drayton Manor Theme Park yesterday afternoon.
Reading a statement from the park, a visibly shaken company director George Bryan said: “We are all truly shocked and devastated, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this horrendously difficult time.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said crews arrived on the scene and discovered a girl with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff.
The spokesman added: “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.”
It is believed the girl was on a school trip at the time of the incident.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating and the ride was closed.
The theme park’s website states the ride, which opened in 1993, features up to 21 boats, each with up to six people in.
It is open to anyone at least 0.9m (3ft) tall, although those under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.
The website promises “a wild ride” with “fast-flowing rapids”.
It adds: “Swerve around corners, splash through the waves, and get soaked as your boat is swept along our fast-flowing rapids. No two experiences are ever the same...
“You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle as you speed, bounce, and splash your way around our river, past other rides and through the trees, experiencing the most unpredictable and
It is shocking to hear how a day of adventure has ended in such tragedy. Councillor Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council.
thrilling of river rapid rides. It’s called Splash Canyon for a reason.”
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the HSE had been made aware of the incident at Drayton Manor and was making initial inquiries along with emergency services.
Soon after the girl’s fall, as staff and medics went to the scene, other park staff shepherded the public away from the area – although the park remained open until its usual closing time of 5pm.
New visitors were prevented from entering the park at about 4pm; however guests at the onsite hotel were allowed to remain.
It is not known if the site will be open to the public today.
The park, which opened to the public in the 1940s and is still operated and owned by the Bryan family, has had an exemplary ride safety record.
Councillor Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council leader, said: “It is absolutely sad and shocking news to hear how a day of adventure has ended in such tragedy for this young girl, and our thoughts are very much with her family and friends this evening.
“Drayton Manor Theme Park was opened as a family business back in 1949 and I know the Bryan family, who are still involved with the park today, will be absolutely devastated by this accident and will undoubtedly do all they can to help find out how this tragic accident occurred.”
The Drayton Manor death comes after five people were seriously injured in a collision on the £18m Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers. An investigation found a computer block stopping the ride because of a stationary car on the track was over-ridden by staff, causing the crash.