Eleven-year-old was airlifted to hospital after falling into water on Splash Canyon ride at Tamworth park

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

An 11-year-old girl has died after falling into the water on a ride at a theme park near Birmingham.

The girl, from Leicester, was on a school trip to Drayton Manor in Tamworth, near Birmingham, when she fell from the Splash Canyon water ride on Tuesday afternoon.

She was believed to have been on the ride with a teacher and other pupils.

One report suggested she had stood up during the ride, in which up to six people sit on a large round inflatable raft, and hit her head as she fell into the choppy water.

George Bryan, a director of Drayton Manor, was visibly shaken as he read a statement. “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 this afternoon,” he said.



“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.”

The park will remain closed on Wednesday as a mark of respect to the family.

The girl’s school, Jameah Girls Academy in Leicester, confirmed in a statement that pupils and staff went on a school trip to Drayton Manor on Tuesday.

“Whilst at the theme park, an incident took place and a girl from year 6 had been airlifted to hospital. Sadly, she later passed away. We are liaising with the relevant authorities at this time. Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of all of our pupils is a priority.

“We would also request that the family as well as the school community be given the time to grieve. The school is also providing support to pupils and staff. We are unable to provide any further information at this time.”

Ambulance crews found the girl had serious injuries. A West Midlands ambulance service spokesman said: “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.”

Supt Carl Ratcliffe, of Staffordshire police, said specially trained officers were supporting the girl’s family. “Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends following this tragic incident,” he added.

The ride was closed after the incident and the Health and Safety Executive is investigating along with the emergency services.

As staff and medics went to the scene, other park employees guided visitors away from the scene of the incident, but much of the park remained open until its usual closing time of 5pm.

The park, which opened in 1949 and is still operated and owned by the Bryan family, has had an exemplary ride safety record.

Philip Atkins, the leader of Staffordshire county council, 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.



“I know the Bryan family will be absolutely devastated by this accident and will undoubtedly do all they can to help find out how this tragic accident occurred.”

The theme park’s website says the Splash Canyon ride, which opened in 1993, has up to 21 boats that travel along “fast-flowing rapids”. It is open to anyone at least 90cm (3ft) tall, although those under 110cm must be accompanied by an adult.

The rafts on the ride are very similar to those used at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, where four people died in October last year. They were on the Thunder River Rapids ride when their raft flipped over. The ride has since been demolished.

Dreamworld tragedy: ‘miracle escape’ for two children on fatal theme park ride Read more

Attractions at Drayton Manor include 10 “thrill rides” such as Maelestrom and Apocalypse as well as Splash Canyon, along with more sedate rides in Thomas Land, based on characters from Thomas the Tank Engine, and a Big Wheel, carousel and 4D cinema.