Family tribute to theme park ride victim
An 11-year-old girl who died after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park has been named - with her family paying tribute to the 'beautiful little girl'.
Evha Jannath, from Leicester, fell out of a boat on the Splash Canyon ride during a school trip to the Tamworth-based theme park on Tuesday, which was closed yesterday.
Last night bosses were considering if to open the park today, while the Health and Safety Executive began initial inquiries into the tragic incident.
Evha's family paid tribute to her in a statement issued through Staffordshire Police.
The family said: "Yesterday our world was torn apart by the news that our daughter and sister Evha, had lost her life in tragic circumstances, following a school trip to Drayton Manor Park.
"Evha was a beautiful little girl who was full of love and always smiling.
"Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel, we are devastated that we will not see our beautiful little girl again.
"We ask that you allow us to grieve in private and deal with our loss as a family."
Staffordshire Police said Evha was recovered from the water and received advanced life support from ambulance crews before she was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital where she later died.
Evha's school, Jameah Academy, an integrated Islamic day school for girls, was closed for the day, with counselling being offered to pupils affected by the tragedy.
Jameah Academy said in a statement of "deepest sadness" on its website: "As a school community we are deeply shocked and our thoughts are with our pupil's family and friends.
"The school will ensure specially trained staff are in school to provide our pupils and staff support at this difficult time.
"We would request that the family and the school community are given time to grieve.
"Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our foremost priority."
Yesterday, a mother described how her young son was rescued from the ride four years ago.
Vikki Treacy said her son Patrick, 10, was 'jolted' out of his boat on the ride.
Recalling the incident, she said: "I was just horrified to think that the same thing had happened again. Fortunately though my child survived and was able to climb out with the help of the public.
"Another lady that was stood beside me managed to jump over the barriers to get him out of the water.
"He sort of panicked and he couldn't get out on the rocks because they were all slippery.
"It was quite fortunate where my son fell, had it been somewhere else I don't think it would have been the same outcome."
A park spokesman said: "We cannot comment during the ongoing investigation surrounding Splash Canyon other than to say the health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance and we'd ask Vicky contacts us direct so that we can address her concerns."
