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| Girl, 11, dies after Drayton Manor theme park fall | Girl, 11, dies after Drayton Manor theme park fall |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a rapids ride at Drayton Manor theme park. | |
| The Splash Canyon attraction was shut on Tuesday after the girl, who was on a school trip, fell into the water. | |
| Staffordshire Police said the victim, believed to be from the Leicester area, was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital at about 14:20 BST. | |
| She was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at hospital. | She was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at hospital. |
| The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident. | The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident. |
| Supt Carl Ratcliffe, from Staffordshire Police, said: "Specially-trained officers are supporting the girl's family at this difficult time. | Supt Carl Ratcliffe, from Staffordshire Police, said: "Specially-trained officers are supporting the girl's family at this difficult time. |
| "Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends following this tragic incident." | "Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends following this tragic incident." |
| More updates on this story and others in Staffordshire | |
| George Bryan, director of the theme Park, said he was "truly shocked and devastated" by the death of the girl. | |
| Addressing the media, he said trained staff were immediately called to the scene after the girl fell into the water.. | |
| He said his thoughts were with the family and their friends at this "tremendously difficult time". | |
| Caroline Greenway told BBC News she was at the park for her son's fourth birthday. | Caroline Greenway told BBC News she was at the park for her son's fourth birthday. |
| She said: "We saw the air ambulance fly over as we were in the zoo. When we walked into the park, there was police and security and members of staff surrounding the area." | She said: "We saw the air ambulance fly over as we were in the zoo. When we walked into the park, there was police and security and members of staff surrounding the area." |
| 'Sectioned off' | 'Sectioned off' |
| She added: "Staff looked visibly upset and worried. When I asked if everything was ok, they replied they were unable to comment. | She added: "Staff looked visibly upset and worried. When I asked if everything was ok, they replied they were unable to comment. |
| "We were not asked to leave the park, but part of the park near to Splash Canyon had been sectioned off by police. | "We were not asked to leave the park, but part of the park near to Splash Canyon had been sectioned off by police. |
| "When we left the park, we had a clear view of the air ambulance parked up." | "When we left the park, we had a clear view of the air ambulance parked up." |
| West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "On arrival, crews discovered a girl with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff. | West Midlands Ambulance Service 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. | "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." | "Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital the girl passed away." |
| Fiona Fletcher, who was at the park with her two children, aged two and three, said she saw park staff with "tears running down their face". | Fiona Fletcher, who was at the park with her two children, aged two and three, said she saw park staff with "tears running down their face". |
| She said she overheard staff at the ride saying "don't tell anyone yet" and hurried people out of the area. | She said she overheard staff at the ride saying "don't tell anyone yet" and hurried people out of the area. |
| "I didn't hear anything [official] until I got into my car because my girls were getting upset so we left," she said. | |
| The theme park added: "The Splash Canyon ride has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services are at the scene and our fully trained park staff are assisting." | The theme park added: "The Splash Canyon ride has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services are at the scene and our fully trained park staff are assisting." |
| Sam Jones, a reporter for the Tamworth Herald who is at the park covering the incident, said it remains opens, although new visitors have been turned away since the incident was reported. | Sam Jones, a reporter for the Tamworth Herald who is at the park covering the incident, said it remains opens, although new visitors have been turned away since the incident was reported. |
| Splash Canyon | Splash Canyon |
| Were you at the park? Have you been affected by the incident? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Were you at the park? Have you been affected by the incident? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |