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Eight children hurt in Woking Park inflatable slide collapse | Eight children hurt in Woking Park inflatable slide collapse |
(35 minutes later) | |
Eight children have suffered "potentially serious" injuries after a fairground slide collapsed during a fireworks event. | Eight children have suffered "potentially serious" injuries after a fairground slide collapsed during a fireworks event. |
Woking Park in Surrey was evacuated after a giant inflatable slide collapsed at the fairground earlier. | Woking Park in Surrey was evacuated after a giant inflatable slide collapsed at the fairground earlier. |
Surrey Police has declared a major incident after "a number of children fell from the slide" at around 19:30 GMT on Saturday, it said. | Surrey Police has declared a major incident after "a number of children fell from the slide" at around 19:30 GMT on Saturday, it said. |
The most seriously injured have been taken to major trauma centres. | The most seriously injured have been taken to major trauma centres. |
The site was evacuated at about 20:00 to allow an air ambulance to land. | The site was evacuated at about 20:00 to allow an air ambulance to land. |
Police said a "giant inflatable slide had collapsed" and the ambulance service said it had "multiple crews" at the scene. | Police said a "giant inflatable slide had collapsed" and the ambulance service said it had "multiple crews" at the scene. |
South East Coast Ambulance Service initially said it had treated six children for "potentially serious injuries" and they were being taken to major trauma centres in London. | South East Coast Ambulance Service initially said it had treated six children for "potentially serious injuries" and they were being taken to major trauma centres in London. |
It was later confirmed that eight children were being treated. | It was later confirmed that eight children were being treated. |
The fireworks display was abandoned following the injuries. | |
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. | |
"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. |
The incident was initially reported as the collapse of a helter skelter ride. | The incident was initially reported as the collapse of a helter skelter ride. |
Event organisers Woking District Rotary Club tweeted: "We are all very shocked and distressed by events in the funfair this evening. | Event organisers Woking District Rotary Club tweeted: "We are all very shocked and distressed by events in the funfair this evening. |
"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. |
It said the "air ambulance had left the park with the last casualties" and police have launched an investigation. | It said the "air ambulance had left the park with the last casualties" and police have launched an investigation. |
Woking Park has been closed to the public and the car park has been shut to all vehicles, police said. | Woking Park has been closed to the public and the car park has been shut to all vehicles, police said. |
Andy Datson tweeted: "Serious incident at Woking fireworks this evening. Whole park evacuated and event cancelled. Sounds like slide collapsed and children fell off." | Andy Datson tweeted: "Serious incident at Woking fireworks this evening. Whole park evacuated and event cancelled. Sounds like slide collapsed and children fell off." |
The 23-year-old, from Guildford, Surrey, said he saw up to 40 children playing on the attraction. | The 23-year-old, from Guildford, Surrey, said he saw up to 40 children playing on the attraction. |
He said he watched the fireworks with friends before seeing "flashing lights". | He said he watched the fireworks with friends before seeing "flashing lights". |
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." | |
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." |
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: |