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Woking fireworks: Eight children hurt in fall from inflatable slide | Woking fireworks: Eight children hurt in fall from inflatable slide |
(35 minutes later) | |
Eight children were injured after falling from an inflatable fairground slide at a fireworks display. | Eight children were injured after falling from an inflatable fairground slide at a fireworks display. |
Woking Park in Surrey was evacuated and a major incident was declared after "a number of children fell from the slide" at about 19:30 GMT on Saturday. | |
Seven of the children were discharged from hospital overnight, with an eighth kept in for observation, with injuries "not believed to be significant". | Seven of the children were discharged from hospital overnight, with an eighth kept in for observation, with injuries "not believed to be significant". |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating. | |
The site was evacuated at about 20:00 to allow the helicopter to land and "multiple crews" from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) to help the injured. | The site was evacuated at about 20:00 to allow the helicopter to land and "multiple crews" from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) to help the injured. |
'So dangerous' | 'So dangerous' |
Police initially described the incident as the collapse of a helter skelter ride, but corrected their report to describe it as a "giant inflatable slide" . | Police initially described the incident as the collapse of a helter skelter ride, but corrected their report to describe it as a "giant inflatable slide" . |
One eyewitness told BBC News correspondent Simon Clemison there were "about 40 children" on the slide, which is about 30ft (9m) high when fully inflated. | |
Chris Tierney said he removed his three children from the slide "a couple of minutes before the incident" as he "felt the slide had become overcrowded". | |
He said his daughter was "getting bundled on by bigger children... kids were getting injured and crying. It was a disaster waiting to happen." | |
At the scene | At the scene |
By Tom Pugh, BBC News | By Tom Pugh, BBC News |
Amid the merry-go-rounds, win-a-prize stalls and bumper cars at Woking Park lies the deflated inflatable at the centre of Saturday night's incident. | Amid the merry-go-rounds, win-a-prize stalls and bumper cars at Woking Park lies the deflated inflatable at the centre of Saturday night's incident. |
The park remained sealed off on Sunday morning as police maintained a low-key presence at the scene. | The park remained sealed off on Sunday morning as police maintained a low-key presence at the scene. |
One witness, Andy Datson, 23, described seeing children being tended to by emergency crews. | One witness, Andy Datson, 23, described seeing children being tended to by emergency crews. |
Another described hearing an announcement over the public-address system which first alerted visitors to a "serious" incident. | |
Thousands of people are said to have been here on Saturday night to enjoy what should have been a fun night. | Thousands of people are said to have been here on Saturday night to enjoy what should have been a fun night. |
It is now the scene of a police investigation. | |
At first, Seacamb said it had treated six children but later confirmed the number was eight - although there is no official confirmation of their ages. | At first, Seacamb said it had treated six children but later confirmed the number was eight - although there is no official confirmation of their ages. |
The fireworks display was abandoned shortly after the children were injured. | The fireworks display was abandoned shortly after the children were injured. |
Eyewitness Oliver Trimble told the BBC a message went over the event's loudspeakers announcing the evacuation shortly before 20:00. | Eyewitness Oliver Trimble told the BBC a message went over the event's loudspeakers announcing the evacuation shortly before 20:00. |
He said he saw victims being treated by medics, adding: "It was quite a horrendous sight to see. | He said he saw victims being treated by medics, adding: "It was quite a horrendous sight to see. |
"This is one of Woking's biggest events of the year, thousands of people come to see the fireworks," he said. | "This is one of Woking's biggest events of the year, thousands of people come to see the fireworks," he said. |
Local musician Anna Neale said she had planned to take her daughters, aged 10 and six, on the giant slide after the fireworks. | Local musician Anna Neale said she had planned to take her daughters, aged 10 and six, on the giant slide after the fireworks. |
"We saw all the blue lights and saw the air ambulance arriving. We all evacuated very calmly. Everyone was just shocked," the 36-year-old said. | "We saw all the blue lights and saw the air ambulance arriving. We all evacuated very calmly. Everyone was just shocked," the 36-year-old said. |
Event organisers Woking District Rotary Club tweeted: "We are all very shocked and distressed by events in the funfair. | Event organisers Woking District Rotary Club tweeted: "We are all very shocked and distressed by events in the funfair. |
"We are focussing in assisting the emergency services in dealing with the injured children. | "We are focussing in assisting the emergency services in dealing with the injured children. |
"Our thoughts are with the children and their families at the moment," it added. | "Our thoughts are with the children and their families at the moment," it added. |
The park will remain closed on Sunday as police investigate the cause of the incident, the club added. | The park will remain closed on Sunday as police investigate the cause of the incident, the club added. |
Officers have appealed for any eyewitnesses or those with video or photos of what happened to contact them. | Officers have appealed for any eyewitnesses or those with video or photos of what happened to contact them. |
Mark John, from Airquee, an organisation that inspects inflatables, said the items should go through rigorous checks to ensure they are safe. | Mark John, from Airquee, an organisation that inspects inflatables, said the items should go through rigorous checks to ensure they are safe. |
"Inspections can take anything from a minimum of 45 minutes right up to several hours," he said. | "Inspections can take anything from a minimum of 45 minutes right up to several hours," he said. |
"As people are aware lately there's a lot of emphasis on making sure the anchor points are in place and intact as they should be for protection against gusts of wind or strong winds." | "As people are aware lately there's a lot of emphasis on making sure the anchor points are in place and intact as they should be for protection against gusts of wind or strong winds." |
Joe Mercer, general secretary of the Showmen's Guild, told the BBC: "This slide has up-to-date test certificates and insurance documents, these have been provided to police. Our members are fully co-operating with the authorities; no arrests have been made." | Joe Mercer, general secretary of the Showmen's Guild, told the BBC: "This slide has up-to-date test certificates and insurance documents, these have been provided to police. Our members are fully co-operating with the authorities; no arrests have been made." |
He added: "Members of the Showmen's Guild operate equipment at fairs to strict safety standards that are subject to HSE scrutiny. Our thoughts are with those affected by this incident." | He added: "Members of the Showmen's Guild operate equipment at fairs to strict safety standards that are subject to HSE scrutiny. Our thoughts are with those affected by this incident." |
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware and making initial enquiries." | A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware and making initial enquiries." |
Woking Fireworks tweeted it was "really pleased" the injuries were "not as serious as first feared". | |
It said it would meet shortly to "agree next steps". | |
Have you been affected by the inflatable slide collapse? Tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Have you been affected by the inflatable slide collapse? Tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |