Ride collapses at Birmingham Christmas fairground

Police cordoned off the area around the ride, which is believed to be the Star Flyer, a 55-metre-high attraction at the Christmas attraction in Centenary Square.

People asked people to avoid the area as paramedics, police and fire services were photographed at the scene.

The fairground was closed following the incident last night at around 7.29pm last night (Thursday, December 12).

West Midlands Ambulance Service announced that there were 13 patients amid the incident and that two people were taken to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. 

The ambulance service said the two people taken to hospital were not believed to have suffered serious injuries, while the remaining casualties were discharged at the scene.

Pictures from the scene posted to social media appear to show wires from two of the swings tangled up. A police cordon was in place around the scene. 

The owners of the ride told Westside BID that they will work closely with the authorities to find out what happened. 

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.”

WMAS sent two ambulances five paramedic officers, a MERIT trama doctor, critical care paramedic, two Mercia Accident Rescuw Service (MARS) emergency doctors and the Trust's Hazardous Area Responsoe Team (HART) to the scene.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "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."

Centenary Square is part of Westside BID who issued a statement shortly after the incident happened saying that the owners of the ride will be working with the authorities to find out why it failed.

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.”