1 week Ago By [email protected] (Ben Perrin, Harry Leach)
A fairground ride 'failed and crashed' in Birmingham city centre last night. Two women were rushed to hospital after the horror incident involving the Star Flyer swing attraction in Centenary Square. The pair were taken to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick but their injuries were not believed to be serious.
A massive emergency service response converged on the Square from around 7.30pm on Thursday, December 13 The ride "dropped to ground level while in operation." Chains from the ride appeared to be tangled together as the owners probe what went wrong.
READ MORE: Birmingham fairground ride emergency live as 13 injured with two rushed to hospital Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 7.30pm after a ride "failed and crashed" (Image: BirminghamLive) What did witnesses say? One stunned onlooker described the scene: "It was all the way up there and it fell, the thing fell." His comments were recorded in a video that also shows the chaotic aftermath of the incident, including members of the public rushing to help those trapped in the "collapsed" structure.
A woman can be heard saying: "The ambulance is on its way," amid shocked exclamations from other witnesses, reports the Mirror . While one bystander was reportedly heard saying there was "blood on someone's face." BirminghamLive understands the ride was on the way down when the horror unfolded.
Seats on the 55-metre Star Flyer attraction appeared tangled following the incident (Image: @Kannyzee) What did ambulance say? West Midlands Ambulance service said two people were taken to hospital following an incident at a fairground ride in Birmingham last night. It was called to Centenary Square at 7.29pm and sent two ambulances, five paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor, 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 says: “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.
” Police have sealed off an area around the City Flyer (Image: BirminghamLive) What did the fire service say? West Midlands Fire Service said: "At approximately 1930 on Thursday 12th December we responded to an incident at Centenary 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. One casualty has been conveyed to hospital, with several others discharged on scene.
We are not working on the rescue of any further casualties. This incident has now been left with West Midlands Police ." Emergency services at the Christmas fairground in Birmingham's Centenary Square (Image: BirminghamLive) What have police said? A statement from West Midlands Police added: "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.
" What went wrong? Brian Hughes, the chairman of Westside BID, issued a statement following the accident. He 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.” A fire engine at the scene in Centenary Square after a ride plummeted to the ground (Image: BirminghamLive) City Council issue statement 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.".
