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Harlow bouncy castle death: Girl blown away in winds | Harlow bouncy castle death: Girl blown away in winds |
(35 minutes later) | |
A seven-year-old girl has died after the bouncy castle she was playing on was blown away in strong winds. | A seven-year-old girl has died after the bouncy castle she was playing on was blown away in strong winds. |
A 24-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence. | A 24-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence. |
Paramedics were called to Harlow Town Park in Essex shortly after 16:00 GMT on Saturday, where the third day of an event organised by Thurston fun fairs was taking place. | Paramedics were called to Harlow Town Park in Essex shortly after 16:00 GMT on Saturday, where the third day of an event organised by Thurston fun fairs was taking place. |
The girl, from Norwich, was taken to hospital where she later died. | The girl, from Norwich, was taken to hospital where she later died. |
East of England Ambulance Service said the girl had suffered serious injuries when the inflatable was blown "some distance". She was treated by ambulance crews and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance before being taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. | East of England Ambulance Service said the girl had suffered serious injuries when the inflatable was blown "some distance". She was treated by ambulance crews and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance before being taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. |
A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family involved on this sad day." | A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family involved on this sad day." |
'Horrific tragedy' | 'Horrific tragedy' |
It is believed the dome-shaped inflatable carrying the girl blew over a number of trailers and caravans in the park and landed down a hill. | It is believed the dome-shaped inflatable carrying the girl blew over a number of trailers and caravans in the park and landed down a hill. |
Ray Smith, a representative of the Showmans Guild of Great Britain, said: "It was a sudden gust. Had it been a consistent wind they would have closed down all the inflatables." | Ray Smith, a representative of the Showmans Guild of Great Britain, said: "It was a sudden gust. Had it been a consistent wind they would have closed down all the inflatables." |
At the scene: BBC Essex reporter Nick Alliker | At the scene: BBC Essex reporter Nick Alliker |
It's a sombre scene within the park. | It's a sombre scene within the park. |
Police stand guard around the inflatable which is at the centre of the investigation. | Police stand guard around the inflatable which is at the centre of the investigation. |
Around 20 caravans and trailers and a couple of fairground rides remain here, but they are silent. | Around 20 caravans and trailers and a couple of fairground rides remain here, but they are silent. |
A bouquet with an Easter bunny inside lays at the park's entrance, remembering the girl who died from the shocking events of Saturday. | A bouquet with an Easter bunny inside lays at the park's entrance, remembering the girl who died from the shocking events of Saturday. |
Asked about how the inflatables were set up, he said: "I know the (Thurston) family and I am very confident they had staked it out properly. | Asked about how the inflatables were set up, he said: "I know the (Thurston) family and I am very confident they had staked it out properly. |
"Obviously there is a full investigation to be held into how this could have happened and to make sure it can never ever happen again." | "Obviously there is a full investigation to be held into how this could have happened and to make sure it can never ever happen again." |
The arrested pair, from Cambridgeshire, are understood to be from the family-run bouncy castle firm. | The arrested pair, from Cambridgeshire, are understood to be from the family-run bouncy castle firm. |
Floral tributes have been left at the gates of the park, where a section remains cordoned off by police. | Floral tributes have been left at the gates of the park, where a section remains cordoned off by police. |
Among them is an Easter basket, while another card on a bunch of flowers reads: "God has taken a beautiful girl for his angel. RIP Princess." | Among them is an Easter basket, while another card on a bunch of flowers reads: "God has taken a beautiful girl for his angel. RIP Princess." |
Police would like to speak to anybody who has any information or who witnessed the incident. | Police would like to speak to anybody who has any information or who witnessed the incident. |
Det Insp Daniel Stoten, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: "This is a very tragic incident where a young girl has lost her life. My deepest sympathies go out to her family. | Det Insp Daniel Stoten, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: "This is a very tragic incident where a young girl has lost her life. My deepest sympathies go out to her family. |
"We are trying to establish the circumstances surrounding how the girl came to be injured and I urge anyone who was at the event and witnessed the incident to contact me." | "We are trying to establish the circumstances surrounding how the girl came to be injured and I urge anyone who was at the event and witnessed the incident to contact me." |
Officers have asked anyone who captured the incident on camera to get in touch. | Officers have asked anyone who captured the incident on camera to get in touch. |
The Health and Safety Executive said it was assisting police with its investigation. | The Health and Safety Executive said it was assisting police with its investigation. |
Last year a bouncy castle collapsed while children were playing on it during a funfair in the park. | Last year a bouncy castle collapsed while children were playing on it during a funfair in the park. |
Harlow Council officers visited the site following the incident last May and suggested a number of health and safety improvements, including better stewarding of the event. | Harlow Council officers visited the site following the incident last May and suggested a number of health and safety improvements, including better stewarding of the event. |
It was reported at the time that three children had to be treated by paramedics when the inflatable castle collapsed on them. | It was reported at the time that three children had to be treated by paramedics when the inflatable castle collapsed on them. |
After news of Saturday's tragedy broke, Conservative MP for Harlow Robert Halfon tweeted: "My thoughts and heart go to family." | After news of Saturday's tragedy broke, Conservative MP for Harlow Robert Halfon tweeted: "My thoughts and heart go to family." |
He added in a statement he will be asking for an "urgent inquiry" and to consider whether bouncy castles "should be banned from Harlow Town fairs, until we can be sure that they are completely safe, so such a horrific tragedy never happens again". |