Five hurt in fairground accident

All casualties were taken to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds

Five people have been taken to hospital after a fairground ride collapsed.

The accident took place at a bonfire display being held at Melford Hall, in Long Melford, Suffolk.

It is not believed any of their injuries are life-threatening, but a 24-year-old woman sustained a serious spinal injury, police said.

Two other people had to be freed by firefighters after the "Hellraiser" attraction left its tracks shortly before 2100 GMT on Friday.

Investigation

Police and officers from the Health and Safety Executive have begun an investigation into the accident. The event has been closed.

The 24-year-old woman also suffered lower-leg injuries, as did two other women.

A man sustained cuts to his leg and another person was taken to hospital by St John Ambulance suffering stomach pains and hyperventilation.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "The ride appeared to have either gone of its rail or off its central hinge. There were about 30 people on the ride when it came to a sudden halt.

A lot of young teenage girls were there and they were screaming Ambulance service spokesman

"Five people were taken to hospital and they were aged between 17 and 25. Four were female and there was one 17-year-old male.

"One of the injured is being treated for back injuries, another for abdominal injuries and the rest had cuts and bruises."

He said paramedics also treated a number of other people for shock at the scene.

The spokesman said: "There was quite a bit of hysteria among the crowd when it happened. A lot of young teenage girls were there and they were screaming."

Paramedics described the ride as a ground-level spinning machine.

Everything was under control very quickly Andrew Hagger

Andrew Hagger, one of the event's administrators, said: "The incident involved the Hellraiser fair ride. The carriage left the rail. I've been told it's being preserved by the police as a crime scene.

"All I've been told is no one has suffered life-threatening injuries. They're being taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

"I don't really know what happened. Most people were pretty shaken. The emergency services were on site and everything was under control very quickly."

Mr Hagger said the fairground attraction was part of the 39th Big Night Out - an annual event at Melford Hall, Long Melford, attended by about 10,000 people.

Melford Hall, an Elizabethan house, is a National Trust property which stands beside the River Chad.