Drayton Manor theme park to be prosecuted over death of 11-year-old Evha Jannath

A theme park operator is being prosecuted over the death of an 11-year-old girl who fell from a water ride.

Evha Jannath died after the incident on the Splash Canyon water ride at Drayton Manor theme park in Tamworth, Staffordshire, in May 2017.

Drayton Manor Park Ltd, of Drayton Manor Drive in Tamworth, will face a charge under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The Health and Safety Executive said the criminal proceedings would take place after an inquest into the youngster's death which is due to be held later this year.

Evha, who was one of a party of children on a school trip to the park from Jameah Girls Academy in Leicester, suffered fatal chest injuries.

She died at Birmingham Children's Hospital after being rescued from the water by theme park staff.

Shortly after the accident her family described her as "a beautiful little girl who was full of love and always smiling."

They added: “Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel, we are devastated."

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who has accompanied family members to previous pre-inquest hearings, said: "Both I and the family have noted the decision of the Health and Safety Executive.

"This case has taken three long years and with this decision, which we warmly welcome, and the inquest beginning on 4 November, justice will finally be done for little Evha and her family. The family is still heartbroken."