An 11-year-old girl has died after an incident at a water ride at Drayton Manor Park in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, UK.
Named by police as Evha Jannath, the girl from Leicester was at the theme park as part of a school trip. Emergency services were called to the site at 2.20pm yesterday afternoon (9 May) after the girl fell from the park's Splash Canyon ride.
A statement from the police force said: “Evha sadly died after falling from a water ride at the theme park. She was recovered from the water and received advanced life support from ambulance crews before she was flown to Birmingham children’s hospital where she later passed away.”
Reports have suggested that the girl stood up during the ride, where up to six people sit in a large round inflatable raft. It is suggested she hit her head and fell into the rough waters. The police have said a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation has begun.
“It is with great sadness we have to report a young girl has passed away at Birmingham children’s hospital following an incident on one of our rides,” said George Bryan, director of Drayton Manor.
“Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water. Trained park staff were immediately on scene tending the patient and West Midlands ambulance arrived and airlifted her to hospital.
“We are all truly shocked and devastated, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this horrendously difficult time.”
A spokesperson for Drayton Manor said Splash Canyon has been closed following the incident. The entire park remains closed today (Wednesday) as a mark of respect to the girl's family.
The Intamin-produced ride has been in operation since 1993. Comprising 21 boats, it is described as a river rapids attraction. The park's website says visitors can "swerve around corners, splash through the waves, and get soaked as your boat is swept along fast-flowing rapids."
To use the ride, visitors must be taller than 90cms (2.9ft) and anyone shorter than 1.1m (3.6ft) must be accompanied by an adult.
