UPDATE Drayton Manor Canyon horror: Girl, 11, dies in front of ‘screaming’ youngsters

AN 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a river rapids ride in front of her horrified pals during a school trip to Drayton Manor theme park. The youngster was reportedly “dragged under by the rapids” after falling from the six-seater boat while “standing up to swap seats”.

Visitors described hearing cries and screams from the rapids-style ride after the girl fell into the choppy 5ft-deep water at the park in Tamworth, Staffs, yesterday afternoon.

It is believed the girl’s teacher, from Jameah Girls Academy in Leicester, was on the ride with her and four of her classmates when tragedy struck.

It is thought the youngster stood up to “swap seats” but toppled over the side as the vessel crashed into waves halfway through the five-minute ride.

One mum, whose child was on the school trip, said last night: “My daughter said there were four other girls on the same boat with the girl.

“When the girl got up to change seats it hit a rock and she got knocked out of the boat and fell in the water and the water currents dragged her in. For that reason they couldn’t see her after she fell in.

“The kids started screaming and told the staff at the park that their friend has fallen in the water.”

It is understood the girl did not drown but may have hit her head as she fell into the water.

Staff dragged her from the rapids as her screaming friends looked on. She was flown to hospital by air ambulance but could not be saved.

An emotional George Bryan, company director of the theme park, said he was “truly shocked and devastated” by the girl’s death.

The visibly shaken boss said in a statement yesterday: “It is with great sadness we have to report that a young girl has passed away at Birmingham Children’s Hospital following an incident on one of the park’s water rides.

“Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water.

“Trained park staff were immediately on the scene attending to the patient and West Midlands Air Ambulance arrived and airlifted her to the hospital.

“We are all shocked and devastated and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tremendously difficult time.”

Visitors told how they heard crying and screaming coming from the main entrance of the ride.

READ MORE HERE: Drayton Manor horror as girl, 11, dies in front of ‘screaming’ youngsters after falling from Splash Canyon rapids ride during school trip