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Boy, 7, and teenage girl injured after falling from fairground ride

The pair were taken to hospital in London after they fell from a ride called The Crazy Frog in Epsom

Martha McHardy
Wednesday 05 April 2023 14:14 BST
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A 7-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were injured at a Surrey fairground on Monday evening
A 7-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were injured at a Surrey fairground on Monday evening (PA Archive)

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A seven-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were injured after falling from a fairground ride in Surrey.

The pair were taken to hospital in London after they fell from a ride called The Crazy Frog. Both have since been discharged from hospital with minor injuries.

The incident occurred at the Hook Road Arena in Epsom, Surrey, at 7.10pm on Monday, Surrey Police said.

It came as hundreds of families were visiting the fair during the school Easter holidays.

The Crazy Frog ride remains closed, and will not reopen until safety checks have been completed. Hook Road Arena fairground remains open.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed and will be leading the investigation into the incident.

A police presence remains at the scene while officers investigate and officers want to speak to witnesses and anyone with footage of what happened.

Surrey Police said: “On Monday, 3 April just before 7.15pm, Surrey Police were called to a fairground at Hook Road Arena in Epsom following reports that a person had fallen from one of the rides.

“South East Coast Ambulance also attended, and a 16-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy were both taken to hospital for medical attention. Both have since been discharged with minor injuries.

“The ‘Crazy Frog’ ride remains closed at this time until safety checks have been completed. The funfair itself remains open.

“The Health & Safety Executive will be leading this investigation with the support of Surrey Police and our partners at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

“All enquiries, as well as any images or footage of the incident, should be directed to them at https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm.”

An HSE spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and are making enquiries.”

Andrew Bircher, Acting Director of Corporate Services at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the two children who were injured during the incident at the Hook Road Arena funfair on Monday evening.

“We are glad to hear that their injuries are minor and wish them a swift recovery. We can confirm that all appropriate safety checks and paperwork were in place as part of the arrangement for the funfair to rent the land from the Council. An investigation into the incident is being led by the Health and Safety Executive, supported by Surrey Police.

“We are working closely with both organisations and the ride in question will remain closed until all safety checks have been completed. On the advice of the Health and Safety Executive, the funfair itself remains open.”

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