The family of 11-year-old schoolgirl Evha Jannath, who died after falling from a water ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park, has spoken of their heartbreak. Evha was tragically killed after she fell out of a circular boat on the Splash Canyon attraction during a school trip on Tuesday. A statement released by her loved ones said their "world was torn apart" following her death. The family described Evha as "a beautiful little girl who was full of love and always smiling". They said: "Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel. We are devastated that we will not see our beautiful little girl again."
Drayton Manor Theme Park remained closed on Wednesday
As a "mark of respect to the family" following the tragedy, the theme park, located near Tamworth in Staffordshire, remained shut on Wednesday. Evha's school, Jameah Girls Academy in Leicester, is also closed. Staffordshire Police, meanwhile, confirmed that a Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident has begun.
It has been revealed that Evha was rescued from the water after falling from the boat, and was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital, but died a short time later. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had sent paramedics by land and air to the site, with a spokesperson confirming to the BBC that crews had discovered a girl "with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff".
Evha Jannath's school, Jameah Girls Academy, also shut following the tragedy
Splash Canyon opened in 1993 and features 21 boats, each with a capacity to hold six people. It offers "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids", and riders must be at least 0.9m tall. Park company director George Bryan, whose grandfather opened the site in the 1950s, told the BBC he was "truly shocked and devastated" by Evha's death.