Two women taken to hospital after fairground ride ‘failed and crashed’

Two women have been taken to hospital after a fairground ride “failed and crashed” in Birmingham city centre.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Centenary Square at 7.29pm on Thursday after “reports of an issue with one of the rides”, West Midlands Police said.

The women are not believed to have suffered serious injuries.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said 11 other patients were assessed and needed no further treatment.

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Images taken at the scene appear to show wires from two gondolas on the City Flyer ride tangled up with each other.

West Midlands Fire Service told Birmingham Live: “This incident involved a fairground ride that had failed and crashed. The ride dropped to ground level while in operation.”

A police cordon is reportedly in place between the ice rink, the library and the Rep theatre and people have been asked to avoid the area.

One witness told the BBC he saw girls who appeared to be injured walking away from the area, with “one girl who seemed to have her face cut”.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it sent multiple crews, including two ambulances, to the scene.

A spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found 13 patients. Two women were treated by ambulance staff for injuries not believed to be serious and conveyed to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

“Nine women and three men were assessed by medics before being given self-care advice and discharged at the scene.”