Drayton Manor tragedy: Girl, 11, dies after falling from Splash Canyon ride
An 11-year-old girl has died after falling off the Splash Canyon water ride at Drayton Manor theme park today.
The youngster, from the Leicester area, is believed to have been on a school trip to the Tamworth-based theme park.
A statement from the owners said they were 'shocked and devastated' by the tragedy.
The girl was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital after emergency services were called to reports of a child falling into water from the river rapids ride.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman 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.
"Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital the girl passed away."
Police superintendent Carl Ratcliffe 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."
Reading a statement from the park this evening, a visibly shaken company director George Bryan said: "Further to a statement released by Staffordshire Police, it is with great sadness we have to report a young girl has passed away at Birmingham Children's Hospital following an accident on one of our rides.
"We were alerted that a girl had fell into the water and our trained staff immediately assisted, along with the West Midlands Air Ambulance, who arrived quickly.
"We are all shocked and devastated and our thoughts are with the girl's family and friends at this time."
Dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics were sent to the scene, while the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
Although the Splash Canyon and surrounding attractions were closed, other parts of the Staffordshire theme park remained open.
Splash Canyon, which opened in 1993, is a ride where people are carried down artificial river rapids in six-seater circular boats.
Anyone who is taller than 0.9 metres - and is not pregnant, has no recent medical conditions, heart, back or neck problems - is allowed to travel on the ride.
The park's website promises "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids".
It adds: "Swerve around corners, splash through the waves, and get soaked as your boat is swept along our fast-flowing rapids. No two experiences are ever the same...
"You'll feel like you're in the middle of the jungle as you speed, bounce, and splash your way around our river, past other rides and through the trees, experiencing the most unpredictable and thrilling of river rapid rides. It's called Splash Canyon for a reason."
A spokesman for Drayton Manor said emergency personnel had been working with theme park staff to deal with the incident.
JD Braham, aged 25, from Kidderminster was visiting the park with her family.
She said: "From what we know a child has fallen into the water at Splash Canyon - as the ambulances were coming in we were sat opposite Maelstrom.
"And then they airlifted the person away. They've shut all the park off by Storm Force 10 and there's numerous fire and police still there.
"I saw a few members of the park were quite visibly upset but I hope its nothing serious.
"We saw all the police running towards there everyone was concerned. It's gone a bit quiet here now."
Express & Star reporter Carl Jackson was also at the theme park near Tamworth. He said: "I was about to get on Splash Canyon and some people started to get off.
"I didn't think it was that serious but then a few ambulance started coming past. Some of the park has been closed off but the rest is running like normal."
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "The service were called to the Splash Canyon area of the park at around 2.20pm today after it was reported a person had fallen into the water from the ride.
"The first appliance from Tamworth arrived just before 2.35pm, followed by the water rescue unit from Tamworth, and appliances from Lichfield and Erdington. One appliance from Tamworth remains at the scene."
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said they had sent a 'number of resources' after being called at 2.18pm, including an ambulance, rapid response paramedic, paramedic area support officer, paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire and a community first responder.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: "The HSE has been made aware of today's incident at Drayton Manor and is making initial inquiries along with emergency services."
Meanwhile, councillor Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council leader, 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.
"Drayton Manor Theme Park was opened as a family business back in 1949 and I know the Bryan family, who are still involved with the park today, will be absolutely devastated by this accident and will undoubtedly do all they can to help find out how this tragic accident occurred."
The site will be closed on Wednesday as a "mark of respect to the family," Drayton Manor said.
