Fair ride ‘collapses sending people flying’ with four taken to hospital

'The screams were terrible. Four people flew off and went through the air.'

An evening at London’s biggest community festival ended with four people in hospital after a fair ride ‘collapsed’.

Emergency services were called to Lambeth Country Show at Brockwell Park, south London, this evening.

Exactly what happened remains unclear amid an investigation, with a patchwork of witness reports describing a scene ‘like a horror movie’.

Fairgoers told MailOnline that a ride ‘failed’, which sent people ‘flying through the air’.

One told the tabloid: ‘It was horrific. The screams were terrible. Four people flew off and went through the air.

‘It was like a horror movie.’

A second eyewitness said: ‘People were running towards us and crying and screaming.

‘Saw a lady with blood streaming down her face. She had paramedics carrying her off the ride.’

Police confirmed no one was trapped in the ride – neither police nor council officials have confirmed which ride suffered the reported malfunction.

‘Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances. Cordons are in place at the location,’ the force added.

Ambulance services confirmed four people were taken to major trauma centres. Their conditions are unclear.

A council spokesperson said: ‘The incident was reported at around 6.20pm today (June 8) and emergency services were quickly on the scene to treat four people who were injured.

‘Paramedics and on-site teams cordoned off the area and those who were injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

‘The situation is being closely monitored. The area around the ride is secure and the funfair has been closed.

‘A thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the malfunction.

‘Additional safety inspections are being carried out on all rides and attractions at the show.

‘We thank the emergency services for their swift response and dedication. The safety and well-being of our visitors remain our top priority.’

Described as the ‘jewel’ in the borough’s annual calendar, the Lambeth Country Show typically sees some 120,000 attend the weekend fairground.

This weekend is the 50th time the country show has been held, with a Monday news release saying ‘the council has worked really hard to keep it going, to make it a safe event and to keep it as a free event because we know how much it means to our residents’.

‘It has been months in the planning,’ it added.

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