Police have confirmed that the 11-year-old girl who was airlifted from Drayton Manor theme park earlier today following a major incident, has sadly died.
The incident on the Splash Canyon ride caused the Staffordshire theme park to be temporarily closed down, after reports of the 11-year-old falling into the water.
The girl, believed to be from the Leicester area, was reportedly at Drayton Manor on a school trip and was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital after she fell into the water.
@Draytonmanor pic.twitter.com/QF4UpvHKfI
— Yasmin Braham (@BrahamYasmin) May 9, 2017
Emergency services and paramedics arrived at the scene in seven minutes, and ambulance crews were called to the park near Tamworth at 2.18 this afternoon after reports of a child falling into the water.
In the aftermath of the child’s tragic death, Drayton Manor released a statement stating:
It is with great sadness we have to report that a young girl has passed away at Birmingham Children’s Hospital following an incident on one of our rides this afternoon.
Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water. Trained park staff were immediately on scene and West Midland’s Air Ambulance were on the scene shortly.
We are all truly shocked and devestated and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
Splash Canyon has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services & our fully trained park staff are assisting. pic.twitter.com/Fkji90Nwjs
— Drayton Manor (@Draytonmanor) May 9, 2017
Air Ambulance, Police and several fire units here at Drayton Manor. Large area now closed off. Not sure what's going on. #draytonmanor pic.twitter.com/BX0ZFz7q1t
— David Charles (@davecharlesF1) May 9, 2017
Shortly after the incident was first reported West Midlands Ambulance Service released the following statement:
West Midlands Ambulance Service can confirm it was called to reports of a patient in the water at Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth, at 2.18pm this afternoon.
An ambulance, a senior paramedic officer, a paramedic area support officer, a rapid response paramedic, a community first responder and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire were sent to the scene.
Specially trained officers are currently giving support to the family of the unnamed 11-year-old girl.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrible tragedy at this hard time.