Woman suffers life-threatening injuries after London funfair ride goes awry | London

A 40-year-old woman is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a funfair ride malfunctioned at a country show in south London, the Metropolitan Police said. A man in his 40s is also receiving treatment for life-changing injuries.

The Lambeth Country Show at Brockwell Park reopened on Sunday but racing remained isolated.

An 11-year-old girl, 40-year-old man and woman and a 50-year-old man were taken to hospital after the incident. The 50-year-old man and the 11-year-old girl had been released from hospital, Scotland Yard said.

The problem appeared on the first day of the free event. A giant frog walking was among those that could be seen behind the high black fences on Sunday.

A police spokesman said emergency services responded at around 6.20pm on Saturday to a failed fair race. They added: “Four people were taken to hospital. A 40-year-old woman remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries following a full assessment by medics. A man in his 40s is also receiving ongoing treatment for potentially life-changing injuries.

“The 50-year-old man and the 11-year-old girl have both been discharged from hospital. Officers attended the scene today alongside the Health and Safety Executive as inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

Signs saying “We apologize for any inconvenience, this ride will not be opening today” were posted on the wire fence around the fairgrounds.

An investigation into the incident, led by the Met and the HSE, was ongoing, Lambeth council said. A spokesman added: “Very sadly a funfair ride at the country show malfunctioned last night, injuring four people. They are being cared for in hospital and our thoughts are with them.

“Thank you to the emergency services for their quick response to yesterday’s country spectacle and their support to the families affected. Following this incident and to allow for a full investigation, the fairground rides at the show will be affected by closures for the second day of the country show.”

The council-run show has been running as a free community event in the park since 1974. Every year it attracts over 120,000 people over the weekend.

Helen Hayes, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood, posted on X on Saturday night: “Shocked to learn of the failure of a walk at the Lambeth Country Shows earlier this evening. My thoughts are with those who were injured and all who witnessed this horrific event. We thank the emergency services that intervened. There must now be an urgent investigation.”

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident, a spokesman said.