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Drayton Manor remains closed after Splash Canyon tragedy

Drayton Manor Theme Park will remain closed for a second day after an 11-year-old girl died in a fall from a water ride.

Evha Jannath fell from a boat on the Splash Canyon rapids attraction during a school trip to the park Staffordshire on Tuesday.

Her family, from Leicester, want the ride to stay shut throughout investigations into the tragedy and have asked for the immediate release of her body.

Merlin Entertainments, which runs Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Legoland, said it was temporarily closing its rapid rides until more information about what happened was known.

“We are aware of the tragic events at Drayton Manor and our thoughts are with the family and all of those affected,” a spokesman told the BBC.

“Safety is our number one priority. We have full confidence in the safety of all the rides we operate, but as a precautionary measure, rapid rides at relevant parks will be closed until more details of the incident become available.”

In a statement, thanking emergency services, the park said Tuesday’s events had “shaken the whole Drayton Manor family, from the board, through to staff and visitors.

“The park will be closed on Thursday to allow the Health and Safety Executive to complete their work. Our thoughts are with the family and all those who have been affected by Tuesday’s incident,” it said.

The family-run theme park, near Tamworth, was closed on Wednesday as “a mark of respect”.

Evha’s family, who released a statement through the campaign office of Leicester politician Keith Vaz on Wednesday evening, called for a comprehensive investigation and the suspension of the ride until it was completed.

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