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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46085445

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Eight children hurt in Woking Park inflatable slide collapse Woking fireworks: Eight children hurt in fall from inflatable slide
(about 2 hours 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 falling from an inflatable fairground slide at a fireworks display.
Woking Park in Surrey was evacuated after a giant inflatable slide collapsed at the fairground. Woking Park in Surrey was evacuated as medics treated the injured.
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 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. All of the patients have been taken to "major trauma centres" in London, one flown by air ambulance.
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 the helicopter to land and "multiple crews" from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) to help the injured.
Police said a "giant inflatable slide had collapsed" and the ambulance service said it had "multiple crews" at the scene. 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" .
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. 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 or their conditions.
It was later confirmed that eight children were being treated. The fireworks display was abandoned shortly after the children were injured.
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.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. 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 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.
The park will remain closed into 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.
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."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."
Have you been affected by the inflatable slide collapse? Tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave 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: