Security Door Kills Girl, 3, At Ice Cream Shop

A three-year-old girl has been killed at an ice cream shop after a metal security door fell on her.

Police and witnesses said the girl was at the Rita's Water Ice store in north Philadelphia about 4.30pm (9.30pm UK time) on Saturday when the door suddenly came loose.

She was at the shop, in Girard Avenue in the city's Brewerytown neighbourhood, for a sorority and fraternity fundraiser with her mother, according to reports.

Witness Alison Brady told WPVI-TV: "It was more than a thud. It was a big bang, some people thought it was a gunshot."

Tracey Standford told the same station: "We saw the awning laying on the ground but didn't realise there was a baby under the awning until the mother started screaming."

Bystanders rushed to the girl's aid while others gave CPR.

Officials with the Department of Licences and Inspections say they are investigating how the grated door fell.

The department said there are no open violations at the store and no reported problems with the security door.

Security grates are only inspected if the department receives a complaint.

In a statement, Rita's spokeswoman Linda Duke said: "Our hearts and prayers go out to the child's family.

"Due to the current investigation we really cannot comment about the unfortunate incident."