Girl, 11, killed after falling from water ride at theme park

A theme park has closed after an 11-year-old girl fell from a ride today and later died in hospital.

Drayton Manor theme park closed its doors after a girl fell from the Splash Canyon river rapids ride before an air ambulance lifted her to a nearby hospital. Park goers said they heard screams and cries from the entrance to the ride before ambulance workers arrived at the Birmingham theme park.

We're in attendance at @Draytonmanor assisting colleagues from @StaffsPolice @OFFICIALWMAS with an ongoing incident. https://t.co/GOyQrOWZsC

— Staffordshire Fire (@StaffsFire) May 9, 2017

"We were called at 2.25pm this afternoon to reports that a child had fallen from a water ride at Drayton Manor Park," Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe of Staffordshire Police said in a statement. "The girl, believed to be 11-years-old from the Leicester area, has been airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital. Her parents have been informed and are being supported by officers."

Splash Canyon has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services & our fully trained park staff are assisting. pic.twitter.com/Fkji90Nwjs

— Drayton Manor (@Draytonmanor) May 9, 2017

A spokesperson for the theme park has also released a statement following the incident and the subsequent closure of the ride, saying: "The Splash Canyon ride has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services are at the scene and our fully trained park staff are assisting." Local police in the last few minutes have made a statement, sharing the tragic news that the 11-year-old girl has died.

Update: Following an incident @DraytonManor, we can confirm that an 11-year-old girl has died this afternoon. https://t.co/jXJccxy31D

— Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) May 9, 2017