Drayton Manor: Evha Jannath named as ride death girl

Ome

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An 11-year-old girl who died after falling from a water ride has been named.

Evha Jannath fell out of a circular boat on the Splash Canyon attraction during a school trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire on Tuesday.

The pupil, from Leicester, was rescued from the water and taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.

A statement released by Evha's family said their "world was torn apart" following her death.

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Police said it was an "extremely difficult time" for Evha's relatives and the force was providing support from specially trained officers.

The theme park is to remain closed for the day as "a mark of respect". The girl's school, Jameah Girls Academy in Leicester, is also closed.

In a statement, the Islamic day school asked that the Year 6 pupil's family and school community be given "time to grieve".

Head teacher Erfana Bora said Evha was a "lovely, sweet-natured girl [who] was loved by everyone at the school".

"We are trying to make sense of this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and our prayers are with Evha's family," she added.

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The ride, which opened in 1993 and features up to 21 boats each with a capacity of six people, closed following the incident at the park near Tamworth.

It offers a "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids" and riders must be at least 0.9m (3ft) tall to board, although those under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.

On Tuesday, park company director George Bryan, whose grandfather opened the site in the 1950s, said he was "truly shocked and devastated" by the death.


'Utter shock'
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it sent paramedics by land and air to the site.

A spokesman said crews discovered a girl "with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff".

She was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.
 

Sarah

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I'm at a loss to understand how this happened. Were there no adults with her? Never ever stand up on a ride - ever. It apparently happened a couple of years ago too with a young boy whose mother watched him stand up for a photo then blamed the theme park when he fell out. I'm not blaming this little girl but clearly they need to change things at that park. It doesn't look like the ride has any seat belts either.
 
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