UPDATE: Council release statement on Worthing fairground ride accident

Worthing Borough Council has released a statement this afternoon, confirming the fairgound ride operators and Worthing Borough Council will ‘fully co-operate’ with the Health and Safety Executive and other authorities.

The ‘Rocker’ ride will remain closed until further notice.

Council director for communities John Mitchell said: “Following an accident on a fairground ride at Worthing seafront last night, our thoughts are with the woman injured in the accident and her family. “We wish her a full and speedy recovery. We are grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene promptly.

“The fairground ride operators and Worthing Borough Council will fully co-operate with the Health and Safety Executive and relevant authorities into the investigation that will take place.

“In the meantime, the ride will remain closed until HSE clearance is received to re-open the ride. At the current time we are unable to confirm when the investigation will be completed.”

The Herald approached fairground operator Bill Coles this morning for further comment but were referred to the council’s statement.

The girl was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton following the incident, which occurred at 9.30pm.

Police initially said she had sustained injuries to her ankle and wrist, but this afternoon said she had suffered minor injuries – bruising to her eye.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to Marine Parade at 9.30pm to a report of a medical incident.

“A teenager had fallen from one of the rides and was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.”