NEED TO KNOW
- A funfair worker in the U.K. has died after a workplace accident
- A man in his 20s was working at the Spanish City Summer Funfair in the coastal city of Whitley Bay on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 23, when he sustained “serious head injuries”
- The Health and Safety Executive, which oversees workplace safety in the U.K., is working with police to determine what happened
An amusement park worker in the U.K. has died after sustaining a head injury in a “workplace incident.”
According to the BBC and The Guardian, the man was working at the Spanish City Summer Funfair in the coastal city of Whitley Bay at around 2:15 p.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 23, when he sustained “serious head injuries.”
Northumbria Police only identified the man as being in his 20s, and said that his next of kin had been notified.
“Emergency services attended and a man in his 20s was found to have suffered serious head injuries. Despite the best efforts of medical staff who attended the scene, a short time later the man was sadly declared dead,” police told The Guardian in a statement.
Police have not specified how the man was injured.
The Daily Mail reported that a medical helicopter was seen landing on the grass area next to the fairground. The local ambulance service also told the Mirror that it had dispatched a rapid response paramedic, a clinical team leader, an emergency ambulance crew and an air ambulance, and noted that an off-duty medic had also stepped in to assist.
Both outlets reported that the man’s accident occurred on a ride.
“His next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers,” police added.
Police also shared that the Health and Safety Executive, which oversees workplace safety in the U.K., is working alongside investigators to determine how the incident happened.
Investigators also told the outlets that anyone with information about the incident should contact Northumbria Police via their mobile app or website.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this extremely difficult time,” the statement added.
Northumbria Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further information.
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The Spanish City Summer Funfair, which is held in Whitley Bay’s Spanish City Plaza, announced on social media that following the tragic incident, “the funfair will be closed until further notice.”
According to the fair’s Facebook page, the event was set to run through Monday, Aug. 25 — a holiday in the U.K. — and features roller coasters, family-friendly rides, games, food and more.
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