Drayton Manor accident: Girl dies after tragedy on Splash Canyon ride

An 11-year-old girl has died after falling off a ride at the Drayton Manor theme park. Emergency services were called following a "serious incident" on the Splash Canyon ride at the popular theme park in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The girl was pulled form the water and airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital. West Midlands Ambulance Service has now confirmed the girl died from her injuries.

The incident resulted in the ride, which as a minimum height restriction of 0.9 metres (2ft, 9ins), being closed. The girl was a school trip at the time and her parents have been informed.

George Bryan, director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said he is "truly shocked and devastated" by the girl's death.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "An 11-year-old girl has died following an incident at Drayton Manor Theme Park this afternoon [9 May].

"West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a patient who had fallen into water at 2.18pm.

"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, with a MERIT trauma doctor on board, were sent to the scene. The first resource was on scene within seven minutes.

"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 the girl was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital with the doctor continuing treatment en-route.

"Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital it became apparent nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed deceased."

Jameah Girls Academy closes on Wednesday after incident

Separately, the Jameah Girls Academy, an Islamic day school for girls aged three to 11 in Leicester, said that the school will be closed on Wednesday (10 May) following the incident. Classes will resume as normal on Thursday, it said.

In a statement, it confirmed that its pupils and staff had gone on a school trip to Drayton Manor Park where an incident took place and a pupil from year 6 was airlifted to hospital and later passed away.

"We are liaising with the relevant authorities at this time. Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of all 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 said that it was providing support to pupils and staff, adding that it was "unable to provide any further information at this time."

Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe, of Staffordshire Police, 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."

Police added the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have been informed of the incident.

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