COPS have arrested two men after a 180ft fairground ride collapsed and two women were taken to hospital.
Emergency services rushed to Centenary Square, in Birmingham, last night and scrambled to rescue trapped revellers on the Star Flyer ride.
PAThe horror unfolded at around 7.30pm last night[/caption]
PACordons remain in place today[/caption]
Brave bystanders helped those on the ride get to safety
The horror unfolded at around 7.30pm and saw 13 injured, with two women taken to hospital in non-life threatening conditions.
West Midlands Police confirmed they arrested two men, aged 55 and 21, last night.
They have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and obstructing officers.
The men remain in custody.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We remain in Centenary Square in Birmingham this afternoon assisting the Health & Safety Executive after a number of people were injured in an incident involving a fairground ride.
“A cordon is in place and is likely to remain in place throughout the day.
“Two men aged, 55 and 21, were arrested at the scene last night on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and obstructing officers and remain in our custody today.
“Anyone with CCTV or mobile phone footage which may assist the investigation has been asked to get in touch quoting log 4290 of 12 December.”
It comes as one victim, Lou Brown, from Solihull, this morning revealed her face, legs and arms were injured.
She told BBC WM: “We were on it having fun and it crashed to the ground. It went backwards first.
“It felt like we were descending, not at the highest point but still quite high. We just dropped.
“All the emergency services and everyone who helped at the scene were amazing.”
Clips of the terrifying aftermath saw baffled eyewitnesses describing how the ride suddenly collapsed – saying in disbelief “it was all the way up there and it fell, the thing fell!”
One bystander could be heard saying how there was “blood on someone’s face”.
The SunThe chaos occurred in a Birmingham Christmas fairground[/caption]
The SunNumerous people received medical treatment at the scene[/caption]
The SunTwo women were taken to hospital[/caption]
West Midlands Fire Service said the ride “dropped to ground level whilst in operation” in an incident around 7.30pm on Thursday.
According to West Midlands Ambulance Service, paramedics found 13 patients in need of help when they arrived at the scene.
Eleven were assessed and discharged at the scene.
Cops confirmed that no serious injuries were reported.
Dozens of people were pictured watching on in horror at the park amid the chaos.
Images circulating on social media appeared to show someone on a stretcher with several police cars, ambulances and fire engines present.
Other photos shared appear to show the mangled seats on one of the rides tangled with each other.
A police cordon is currently in place between the ice rink, the library and the Rep theatre, with people asked to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for West Mids Fire Service said: “At approximately 1930 on Thursday 12th December we responded to an incident at Victoria Square outside the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.
“One fire engine from Ladywood fire station attended, and arrived in just over four minutes.
“This incident involved a fairground ride that had failed and crashed. The ride dropped to ground level whilst in operation.
“We assisted Ambulance colleagues with treatment of a number of casualties, whose injuries are not life-threatening.
“One casualty has been conveyed to hospital, with several others discharged on scene. We are not working on the rescue of any further casualties.
“This incident has now been left with West Midlands Police.”
One witness at the scene told the BBC he saw “girls who appeared to be injured” walking away from the area, with “one girl who seemed to have her face cut”.
Brian Hughes, the chairman of Westside Business Improvement District, shared a statement which read: “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.”
A West Midlands Police spokesperson told The Sun: “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.”
The ride involved appears to be the Star Flyer. The operator’s website description reads: “It’s 55m high and gives you a bird’s-eye view. .
“Come and ride one of the tallest rides around, on the mighty Star Flyer!
“This stunning ride will take you riding high into the sky, offering panoramic views of wherever it is located.”
Numerous police and ambulances were at the sceneAlamy
Birmingham LiveThe rides were shut down[/caption]
Centenary Square has been cordoned off by copsAlamy Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
