Woman in her 40s in hospital with life-threatening injuries after funfair ride malfunctioned, sending revellers through the air and injuring four including girl, 11, police reveal
A woman in her 40s is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a fairground ride malfunctioned and sent revelers flying through the air.
An 11-year-old girl and a man in his 50s were also injured in the horror incident at the Lambeth Country Show in south London yesterday, the Metropolitan Police said.
A man in his 40s is being treated for “potentially life-threatening injuries,” police added.
Emergency services were called to Brockwell Park at around 6.20pm on Saturday after the ride was ‘torn apart’, causing a carriage to be catapulted into the crowd.
The London Ambulance Service said the injured were all taken to major trauma centres.
Lambeth Council has confirmed that the second day of the Lambeth Country Show will go ahead as planned, amid an investigation into yesterday’s horror incident.
But the fairground rides were not open when the show started at 1 p.m.
People attend the Lambeth Country Show on June 9, a day after four people were taken to hospital when a ride malfunctioned
Lambeth Council has confirmed that the second day of the Lambeth Country Show will go ahead as planned, amid an investigation into yesterday’s horror incident
Amusement rides were not open when the show started at 1 p.m
A police spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services responded to a failed fairground ride at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park at around 6.20pm on Saturday 8 June.
‘Four people have been taken to hospital. After a full assessment by doctors, a woman in her 40s remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries. A man in his 40s is also receiving ongoing treatment for potentially life-changing injuries.
“The man in his 50s and the 11-year-old girl have both been released from hospital. Officers attended the scene today alongside the Health and Safety Executive as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances.”
Kareen Swaby, 41, had gone to the event for ‘just a fun family day out’ with her loved ones before things took a terrifying turn.
She witnessed the shocking incident and told MailOnline how she saw the carriage ‘come off its hinges’, injuring a man standing next to her in the head.
Mrs Swaby said: ‘Blood was pouring from his head. He got back up and just collapsed again. At that moment I didn’t know if he was conscious or not.’
The woman described how, as the situation unfolded, she heard a “little girl screaming at the top of her lungs.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that ‘investigations are underway to determine the circumstances’ and that ‘the Health and Safety Executive will be notified’.
New witness statements described the situation.
One woman said, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. I get sick just thinking about it. Four people actually flew through the air during the ride.
‘It was horrible. I will never forget it. The screams from them and everyone else were terrible.
‘How on earth could this happen?
“I’m shocked to see that the event itself has reopened. I’m very happy that the fair is closed.’
Emergency services were called to Brockwell Park yesterday and four people were taken to hospital
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that ‘investigations are underway to determine the circumstances’ and that ‘the Health and Safety Executive will be notified’
According to an eyewitness, the rides stopped shortly after the incident
A Lambeth Council spokesperson said this morning: ‘Very sadly a fairground ride at the country show failed last night (June 8) and four people were injured. They are being cared for in hospital and our thoughts are with them.
An investigation into the incident is underway, led by the Met Police and Health and Safety Executive.
‘We thank the emergency services for their quick response during yesterday’s country show and for the support they are providing to the affected families.
‘As a result of this incident, and to allow for a full investigation, the amusement rides at the show will be affected by closures for the second day of the country show.
‘The safety and well-being of our visitors remains our top priority and we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.’