Girl, 11, dies after falling into the water on Splash Canyon ride during school trip to UK theme park
A DAY after a UK schoolgirl died in circumstances similar to last year’s tragedy at Dreamworld, reports of an earlier accident on the same ride have emerged.
A MOTHER has come forward saying the death of a schoolgirl on a river rapid ride in the UK was “an accident waiting to happen” after her pleas to tighten up safety fell on deaf ears.
Vikki Treacy complained after her son Patrick was hurled into the water on the Splash Canyon ride at Drayton Manor in central England in 2013, The Sun reports.
It’s the same ride that claimed the life of 11-year-old Evha Jannath on Tuesday during a school trip to the British theme park.
And it’s similar to the Thunder Rivers Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coa st that claimed the lives of two men and two women in October last year.
“Had they taken my incident seriously, maybe it wouldn’t have happened,” Ms Treacy said.
Evha was rescued by theme park employees after falling from a six-seater boat on the ride but later died of a head injury in hospital.
She was either struck by a boat or hit her head on the steel frames that carry the boats around at the park, The Sun reports. It is feared she may have stood up to swap seats with a classmate and lost her balance.
Ms Treacy said: “They did nothing when Patrick fell in but he was lucky. If they had reviewed and improved the safety of the ride when I complained perhaps this little girl would still be alive.”
The mum of four, from Rugby, Warwickshire, was at the park when Patrick, then 10, and his cousins asked to go on Splash Canyon.
She said: “Patrick left his seat just slightly and turned to wave to me as I was going to take a picture.
“At that very moment the boat banged into the side of the canyon and he was tipped out headfirst.
“I screamed. A lady leapt over to get to him. He was standing but struggling to get to the edge.
“He was unable to get a grip to get out. The lady got him to safety. It was terrifying.
“Had there been another boat close it could have crushed him.
“He was very lucky.”
Ms Treacy, 46, said she raised her safety concerns with a manager.
“The manager’s version of events was, ‘You’re not supposed to stand on the ride, and from our CCTV it looks like your child was standing’.
“I think that’s quite shoddy. Kids will stand — if they don’t want them to then get them belted in.
“After that I repeatedly told the company I didn’t feel the safety measures were good enough.”
A Drayton Manor spokesman told The Sun: “We cannot comment during the ongoing investigation surrounding Splash Canyon other than to say the health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance and we’d ask Vikki to contact us direct.”
WITNESSES HEARD SCREAMING AND CRYING
Visitors described hearing cries and screams following the incident involving Evha at 2.20pm Tuesday (11.20pm Tuesday AEST).
“We can confirm (the girl) was on a school trip,” a police spokesman said.
“A teacher must have either been inside the ride or in proximity but that will be a matter for the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) to investigate.”
It is thought the girl stood up as the vessel crashed through the choppy water halfway through the five-minute ride and toppled over the side.
It is understood she may have hit her head as she fell into the 1.5m deep water.
Evha was flown to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in a critical condition where she later died.
@ITVCentral pic.twitter.com/umPycr1Myw
— David Charles (@davecharlesF1) May 9, 2017
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “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.”
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.”
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
An emotional George Bryan, company director of the theme park, said he was “truly shocked and devastated” by the girl’s death.
The visibly shaken boss said: “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 the park’s water rides this afternoon. Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water.
“Trained park staff were immediately on the scene attending to the patient and West Midlands Air Ambulance arrived and flown her to the hospital. We are all shocked and devastated and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tremendously difficult time.”
Drayton Manor statement: "We are all truly shocked and devastated" https://t.co/1SXdvFiI1F pic.twitter.com/8BCpNwZhAL
— ITV News Central (@ITVCentral) May 9, 2017
Visitors told how they heard crying and screaming coming from the main entrance of the ride.
Graham Johnstone, 40, said: “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.”
Witnesses described the dramatic scene on social media.
Jadey Braham said: “I saw the police and ambulances turning up and then leaving and a few staff members visibly upset.”
Luke Orbell added: “Horrific day in Drayton Manor.”
Matt Mason, from Codsall, said: “Someone has fallen in the water on Splash Canyon. We were just getting off when it happened. We were buying a photo at the bottom when someone ran up and alerted the assistant.”
@davecharlesF1 Someone has fallen in the water on Splash Canyon. We were just getting off when it happened.
— Matt Mason (@MaseDX) May 9, 2017
Horrific day in Drayton Manor 😢
— Luke orbell (@Lukeorb16) May 9, 2017
The Splash Canyon ride was opened in 1993 and consists of 21 boats holding six people each.
The minimum height for people is 0.9m. Anyone under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.
The theme park website says: “Hold on tight and experience Drayton Manor Park’s very own river rapids.”
This story originally appeared in The Sun.
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