This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39862996
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Girl, 11, dies after Drayton Manor theme park fall | Girl, 11, dies after Drayton Manor theme park fall |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a rapids ride at Drayton Manor theme park. | 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. | 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. | 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 park said it will remain closed on Wednesday as mark of respect to the girl's family. | |
| 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 | More updates on this story and others in Staffordshire |
| George Bryan, director of the family-run theme park, said he was "truly shocked and devastated" by the death of the girl. | George Bryan, director of the family-run theme park, said he was "truly shocked and devastated" by the death of the girl. |
| He said trained staff were immediately called to the scene after the girl fell into the water. | 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". | He said his thoughts were with the family and their friends at this "tremendously difficult time". |
| 'Sectioned off' | 'Sectioned off' |
| The park closed at 17:00 BST. | The park closed at 17:00 BST. |
| 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." |
| 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. | "I didn't hear anything [official] until I got into my car because my girls were getting upset so we left," she said. |
| Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, 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." | Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, 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." |
| Abdul Hasil, 30, from east London, said he was on a day trip to the park and began "panicking" and asking staff what had happened. | Abdul Hasil, 30, from east London, said he was on a day trip to the park and began "panicking" and asking staff what had happened. |
| He said that not knowing what was going on "increases the panic, especially after what happened with the Smiler at Alton Towers." | He said that not knowing what was going on "increases the panic, especially after what happened with the Smiler at Alton Towers." |
| Five people were seriously injured in a collision on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers, also in Staffordshire, in June 2015. | Five people were seriously injured in a collision on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers, also in Staffordshire, in June 2015. |
| The death at Drayton Manor is thought to be the first at a UK theme park since 2004, when a 16-year-old girl fell from the Hydro ride at Oakwood theme park near Tenby, west Wales. | The death at Drayton Manor is thought to be the first at a UK theme park since 2004, when a 16-year-old girl fell from the Hydro ride at Oakwood theme park near Tenby, west Wales. |
| 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: |