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Norfolk beach death: Ava-May Littleboy died of head injury | Norfolk beach death: Ava-May Littleboy died of head injury |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A three-year-old girl thrown from an inflatable trampoline on a beach died from a head injury, a post-mortem examination has found. | A three-year-old girl thrown from an inflatable trampoline on a beach died from a head injury, a post-mortem examination has found. |
Witnesses described how people tried to catch Ava-May Littleboy when the inflatable "exploded" on Gorleston beach, Norfolk on Sunday. | Witnesses described how people tried to catch Ava-May Littleboy when the inflatable "exploded" on Gorleston beach, Norfolk on Sunday. |
Ava-May, who died in hospital, had been at the beach with members of her family. | Ava-May, who died in hospital, had been at the beach with members of her family. |
Her family, from Suffolk, said she could "light up the darkest rooms". | Her family, from Suffolk, said she could "light up the darkest rooms". |
In a statement, they added: "She was not your ordinary little girl. Anyone that met her would not want to forget her." | In a statement, they added: "She was not your ordinary little girl. Anyone that met her would not want to forget her." |
Norfolk Police said a Home Office post-mortem examination took place on Monday and found Ava-May had died of a head injury, but that further investigation would take place to confirm this. | Norfolk Police said a Home Office post-mortem examination took place on Monday and found Ava-May had died of a head injury, but that further investigation would take place to confirm this. |
A police spokesman said the cordon in the area would remain in place while specialists examine the scene and the inflatable play equipment. | A police spokesman said the cordon in the area would remain in place while specialists examine the scene and the inflatable play equipment. |
Zoe Dye, who was on the beach at the time with her daughter, said: "Literally, it was just screams from everyone on the beach. It was almost like slow motion. [The] poor little girl was in the air. | Zoe Dye, who was on the beach at the time with her daughter, said: "Literally, it was just screams from everyone on the beach. It was almost like slow motion. [The] poor little girl was in the air. |
"No-one could do anything. People were trying their hardest to catch her and she just dropped." | "No-one could do anything. People were trying their hardest to catch her and she just dropped." |
Ava-May's family has set up a fundraising campaign to raise money for a bench to go on the playing field near their home in Somersham. | |
Speaking to the BBC, her grandmother Angela Littleboy said she "loved to be outside and play". | |
"She was her own little character, she was cheeky, funny, the best leg-hugger ever," she said. | |
"She loved everything, loved everybody, everyone was her best friend. She was a beautiful and bright little girl." | |
Mrs Littleboy added that the family was still "very numb" after Ava-May's death but was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the love and support shown by others. | |
The online appeal has raised more than £8,000. | |
Downing Street has described the incident as a "terrible accident and a tragic loss of life". | |
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The HSE [Health and Safety Executive] are looking into it, they are the right people to do so. | The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The HSE [Health and Safety Executive] are looking into it, they are the right people to do so. |
"We need to wait for that investigation to be completed." | "We need to wait for that investigation to be completed." |
In 2016, a seven-year-old girl died when a bouncy castle broke free from its moorings in high winds in Harlow. | In 2016, a seven-year-old girl died when a bouncy castle broke free from its moorings in high winds in Harlow. |
Following Ava-May's death, there have been calls for a temporary ban on bouncy castles and inflatables in public areas. | Following Ava-May's death, there have been calls for a temporary ban on bouncy castles and inflatables in public areas. |
Harlow MP Robert Halfon wants an "urgent investigation" into their regulation. | Harlow MP Robert Halfon wants an "urgent investigation" into their regulation. |
He said: "There should be a temporary ban on bouncy castles and inflatables in public areas until we can ensure they are safe. | He said: "There should be a temporary ban on bouncy castles and inflatables in public areas until we can ensure they are safe. |
"These are two tragic deaths of two beautiful little children in the space of a few years and there needs to be an urgent investigation in the regulation and inspection regimes. | "These are two tragic deaths of two beautiful little children in the space of a few years and there needs to be an urgent investigation in the regulation and inspection regimes. |
"You cannot risk a tragedy like this happening again." | "You cannot risk a tragedy like this happening again." |
The owner of the play equipment on Gorleston's Lower Esplanade, Curt Johnson, said: "We are in complete shock and send our deepest condolences to the family. | The owner of the play equipment on Gorleston's Lower Esplanade, Curt Johnson, said: "We are in complete shock and send our deepest condolences to the family. |
"We are in bits and totally devastated; we can't sleep, can't eat, feel sick to the core." | "We are in bits and totally devastated; we can't sleep, can't eat, feel sick to the core." |
Teddy bears and flowers have been left beside the perimeter fence which surrounds the play area. | Teddy bears and flowers have been left beside the perimeter fence which surrounds the play area. |
One message read: "Taken too soon. Thinking of all your family. Such a sad loss. Sleep tight angel." | One message read: "Taken too soon. Thinking of all your family. Such a sad loss. Sleep tight angel." |
Supt Roger Wiltshire, of Norfolk Police, said it was too early to speculate whether the hot weather was the cause of the explosion. | Supt Roger Wiltshire, of Norfolk Police, said it was too early to speculate whether the hot weather was the cause of the explosion. |
"We've got experts from all around the country coming to help us with all aspects of this investigation," he said. | "We've got experts from all around the country coming to help us with all aspects of this investigation," he said. |
"I'm a dad myself and you just can't imagine what they would be going through. | "I'm a dad myself and you just can't imagine what they would be going through. |
"You come to a seaside town like Great Yarmouth and Gorleston for a day out... and as a dad, we've spent many hours standing by a bouncy castle watching the kids jump up and down." | "You come to a seaside town like Great Yarmouth and Gorleston for a day out... and as a dad, we've spent many hours standing by a bouncy castle watching the kids jump up and down." |
The HSE said it would be providing "specialist assistance" to the investigation, which is being led by the police and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. | The HSE said it would be providing "specialist assistance" to the investigation, which is being led by the police and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. |