Several injured after festive fairground ride ‘failed and crashed’
Two women have been taken to hospital after a festive fairground ride “failed and crashed” in Centenary Square.
West Midlands Fire Service said the Star Flyer ride “dropped to ground level whilst in operation” at 7.30pm on Thursday. Thirteen people were treated, with two sent to Midlands Metropolitan Hospital for injuries not believed to be serious.
Ice Skate Birmingham, the owner of the ride, is working with the authorities to find out what went wrong.
West Midlands Fire Service said: “We responded to an incident at Victoria Square outside the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.
“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.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, five paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor, a critical care paramedic, two Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) emergency doctors and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene.
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 two men were assessed by medics before being given self-care advice and discharged at the scene.”
Brian Hughes, chairman of Westside BID said: “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.”
