(Getty)
An 11-year-old girl has died after an accident at the Drayton Manor Theme Park in the UK. The child was on a school trip when she rode Splash Canyon with friends.
Splash Canyon is a water ride that is fairly popular and has different variations at theme parks all over the globe. The child was thrown from the ride and needed to be rescued from the water, said to be about five feet deep. She was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later, according to CNN.
“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,” a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said.
Staffordshire Police are currently investigating the incident.
Here is what you need to know:
1. The Child Has Been Identified as Evha Jannath
Schoolgirl who died at Drayton Manor theme park pictured as family pay tribute t.co/t6daKIlRyt
Evha Jannath was a sixth year student at Jameah Academy in Leicester. Her family released a statement following this tragic accident.
“Yesterday our world was torn apart by the news that our daughter and sister Evha, had lost her life in tragic circumstances, following a school trip to Drayton Manor Park. Evha was a beautiful little girl who was full of love and always smiling. Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel, we are devastated that we will not see our beautiful little girl again.”
2. She Was ‘Standing Up’ When the Ride Hit a Rock
Drayton Manor will remain closed tomorrow as a ‘mark of respect’ t.co/yFnGj2nxLP
According to the Daily Mail, Jannath was standing up on the ride when it hit a rock and sent her into the water. She was trying to “change seats” with a classmate after the ride was already in motion.
A parent who had witnessed the whole thing told the Daily Mail, “When the girl got up to change seats just then it hit a rock and she got knocked out of the boat and fell in the water and the water currents dragged her in.”
“The kids started screaming and told the staff at the park that their friend has fallen in the water. The teachers came and said that the girl was missing that’s when they took it seriously and stopped the ride and started looking. There was four other girls on the same boat with the girl and the teacher’s boat was behind.”
The video below shows the full ride.
3. She Was Airlifted to a Nearby Hospital
Heartbroken parents of schoolgirl who died at Drayton Manor break silence. t.co/mYwrmexhoD
Based on witness reaction, Jannath received medical attention very quickly.
“The first I knew something was wrong when I saw staff running over to the ride and turn people away. Minutes later an air ambulance appeared overhead. All you could hear was crying coming from the steps leading to the ride entrance. It was awful. Somebody said a little child had drowned but you just don’t know. The emergency services were on the scene so quickly. I saw the air ambulance land but it didn’t take off again. I just hope the kid was OK,” theme park goer Graham Johnstone, 40, told the Daily Mail.
Jannath was taken by helicopter to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but, despite desperate efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries. An exact cause of death is unclear at this time, but will likely be revealed following an autopsy.
4. Drayton Manor Theme Park Is Closed Today
Following today’s tragic events, Drayton Manor Theme Park will be closed on Wednesday 10th May as a mark of respect to the family.
The park released a statement following the tragedy and remains closed today.
Thorpe Park in Surrey has decided to close its similar water ride, Rumba Rapids, “as a precaution.”
5. This May Not Have Been the First Time a Child Was in Danger on This Particular Ride
Mother warned Drayton Manor bosses FOUR years ago after her son, 10, fell from Splash Canyon water ride t.co/SdGXKHHRCr
A woman named Vikki Treacy has come forward to talk about an incident on the same ride that happened four years ago. She said that her son fell into the water, being thrown from the ride back in 2013.
“I just don’t think anything has been done since Patrick fell in. If it’s that important not to stand then lap belts should be installed. It was an accident waiting to happen,” she told the Daily Mail.
Treacy also said that theme park personnel did not come to the ride after her son fell in. She claims that she had to find an employee to inform them that her son had fallen into the water.