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A Christmas fairground has been sealed off after a ride ‘failed and crashed’ on Thursday night, with two women rushed to hospital and 11 others injured in the horror incident.
Police and paramedics hurried to the scene at Centenary Square, near the library in Birmingham at 7.30pm after reports of an issue with one of the rides.
Fire services said the fairground ride ‘crashed’, dropping to ground level while still in use. In the hours that followed, all the rides have been frozen and the bright neon lights turned off as emergency services attend.
Two women were raced to hospital but luckily their injuries aren’t believed to be serious.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service said 11 other patients were assessed and discharged at the scene of the accident.
It’s been reported that the ‘Star Flyer’ ride was the attraction that broke. It is 180ft high and swings pairs of chairs around in a circle while moving up and down.
The ride, described as ‘one of the tallest around’, is part of ‘Britain’s biggest German Christmas Market’ with a big wheel and ice rink. Danter Attractions runs the Christmas fairground.
A description reads: ‘Come and ride one of the tallest rides around, on the mighty Star Flyer! This stunning ride will take riding high into the sky, offering panoramic views of wherever it is located.’
A Christmas fairground has been sealed off after a ride collapsed in Birmingham on Thursday night
A picture of one of the broken chairs which were swung around on the ride
The ‘Star Flyer’ ride collapsed, which is described as ’55m high’
Paramedics seemed to have a stretcher at the ready as they attended the scene
A police cordon was in place, and several police cars, ambulances and fire engines were pictured at the scene.
Shocking photos showed carnival-goers having to be helped from the ride, after they had seeminly smashed into parts of its machinery.
Broken glass and mangled railings could be seen, alongside tangled seats.
The BBC reported that ‘girls who appeared to be injured’ were seen walking away from the area, with ‘one girl who seemed to have her face cut’.
A fairgrounder told them: ‘Someone told us the structure dropped and someone fell out.’
Centenary Square, Birmingham, after the accident
Emergency services were on scene after the ‘Star Flyer’ chain seat ride failed and crashed
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: ‘On arrival, crews found 13 patients.
‘Two women, were treated by ambulance staff for injuries not believed to be serious and conveyed to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.
‘Nine women and three men were assessed by medics before being given self-care advice and discharged at the scene.’
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: ‘We currently have officers in Centenary Square, Birmingham following reports of an issue with one of the rides.
‘A small number of people are being treated at the scene by paramedics – but no serious injuries have been reported.
‘Centenary Square remains cordoned off this evening while we support our emergency service colleagues. Please avoid the area.’
West Midlands Fire Service said: ‘At approximately 1930 on Thursday 12th December we responded to an incident at Victoria Square outside the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.
A picture of a Star Flyer ride in Digbeth
The scene of the accident with several police cars at the fair
BirminghamLive reported a police officer as saying ‘some were injured, but not sure how badly’ after the ‘Star Flyer’ ride collapsed
‘One fire engine from Ladywood fire station attended, and arrived in just over four minutes. This incident involved a fairground ride that had failed and crashed. The ride dropped to ground level whilst in operation.
‘We assisted Ambulance colleagues with treatment of a number of casualties, whose injuries are not life-threatening. One casualty has been conveyed to hospital, with several others discharged on scene. We are not working on the rescue of any further casualties.’
Birmingham City Council said: ‘We’re aware of the incident in Centenary Square. Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and wish them a speedy recovery.
‘Our emergency planning officers are the scene to support emergency services if required.’
Brian Hughes, chairman of Westside BID, the business improvement district for the area including Centenary Square, said in a statement: ‘Our first thoughts are with those who have been injured.
‘While we are relieved to have heard that no-one has received life-threatening injuries, this must have been a terrible incident to experience.
‘We have already spoken with the owners of Ice Skate Birmingham, which operates the ride, and we know that they will now be working closely with the authorities to find out exactly what went wrong.’