Fairground reopens after individuals hospitalised when experience ‘ripped aside’
A woman in her 40s is in hospital with life-changing injuries after a funfair ride malfunctioned and sent revellers flying through the air.
An 11-year-old girl was also injured in the horror incident at Lambeth Country Show in south London yesterday, the Metropolitan Police have said.
A man in is 40s is being treated for ‘potentially life-threatening injuries’, the force added.
Emergency services were called to Brockwell Park at around 6.20pm on Saturday after the ride ‘ripped apart’, catapulting a carriage into the crowd.
The London Ambulance Service said the injured were all taken to major trauma centres.
Lambeth Council has confirmed the second day of the Lambeth Country Show is going ahead as planned amid an investigation into the horror incident yesterday.
But fairground rides were not open when the show kicked off at 1pm.
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 the second day of the Lambeth Country Show is going ahead as planned amid an investigation into the horror incident yesterday
Fairground rides were not open when the show kicked off at 1pm
A police spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services responded at around 6.20pm on Saturday June 8 to a fairground ride having failed at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park.
‘Four people have been taken to hospital. Following a full assessment by medics, 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 discharged from hospital. Officers have attended the scene today alongside the Health and Safety Executive as inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.’
Kareen Swaby, 41, had gone to the event for ‘just a nice 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 on the head.
Ms Swaby said: ‘Blood was pouring from his head. He got back up and he just collapsed again. At this time, 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 ‘enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances’ and that ‘the Health and Safety Executive will be informed’.
New witness accounts described the situation.
One woman said: ‘I have never seen anything like it in my life. I feel sick thinking about it. Four people basically flew through the air off the ride.
‘It was dreadful. I will never forget it. The screams from them and everybody was dreadful.
‘How on earth could it happen?
‘I am shocked to see the event itself has reopened. I am very glad the fair has been closed.’
Emergency services were called to the scene in Brockwell Park yesterday and four people were taken to hospital
The Metropolitan Police confirmed ‘enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances’ and that ‘the Health and Safety Executive will be informed’
The rides stopped soon after the incident, according to an eyewitness
A spokesperson for Lambeth Council said this morning: ‘Very sadly a funfair ride at the country show malfunctioned yesterday evening (June 8) injuring four people. They are being cared for in hospital and our thoughts are with them.
An investigation into the incident, led by the Met Police and Health and Safety Executive, is underway.
‘We thank the emergency services for their swift response at the country show yesterday and for the support they are providing to the affected families.
‘Following this incident, and to allow a full investigation, funfair rides at the show will be impacted by closures for the second day of the country show.
‘The safety and well-being of our attendees remains our top priority, and we are committed to providing a secure and enjoyable experience for all visitors.’
