Updates from Friday 12 May 2017
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Despite the death of an 11-year-old girl who fell into the water at one of the rides, the park remained open until its usual closing time of 17:00.
New visitors were prevented from entering the park at about 16:00, however guests at the on-site hotel were allowed to remain.
It is not known if the site will be open to the public on Wednesday.
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
BBC Midlands Today reporter Liz Copper is at Drayton Manor but said the park is "now closed" and there is a "heavy security presence".
She added there were lots of coaches queuing up ready to take people home from the park.
An 11-year-old girl on a school trip has died after falling into the water at the Splash Canyon ride.
Image source, ThemeParks.ieMonica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
"It’s with great sadness that we have to report that a young girl has passed away at Birmingham Children’s Hospital following an incident on one of our rides this afternoon.
"Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water.
"Trained park staff were immediately on scene attending to the patient. West Midlands Ambulance Service arrived and airlifted her to hospital.
"We are all truly shocked and devastated and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tremendously difficult time."
The statement was read by company director George Bryan.
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
BBC News
George Bryan, a company director at Drayton Manor, was visibly upset as he addressed the media.
He said it was with "great sadness" they confirmed a young girl passed away at Birmingham Children's Hospital this afternoon after falling into the water at a ride.
He added his thoughts are with "family and friends at this tremendously difficult time".
Lisa Wright
Journalist, BBC News Online
An 11-year-old girl has died on a school trip after falling from a rapids ride at Drayton Manor theme park.
Abdul Hasil, 30, from east London was on a day trip to the park.
He said: "We were panicking... we saw the fire brigade and then a police car. It's very unusual to see this kind of thing in a theme park."
"[Staff] closed it all down (around the ride) and said we couldn't go in."
He added that not knowing what was happening "increases the panic, especially after what happened with the Smiler at Alton Towers".
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
George Bryan, director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said he was "truly shocked and devastated" by the death of an 11-year-old girl who fell from the Splash Canyon ride.
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
West Midlands Ambulance were at the scene of the incident at Drayton Manor theme park in under ten minutes.
A spokesperson says a "first resource was on scene within seven minutes".
An 11-year-old girl on a school trip who'd fallen into the water at a ride was airlifted to hospital, but later died, police say.
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
One of the theme park's directors will be delivering a press conference in the next ten minutes.
An 11-year-old girl from the Leicester area who was on a school trip has died after falling into the water at one of the rides.
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That's it from us on Tuesday. Join us again from 08:00 on Wednesday for more news, sport, travel and weather updates.
Any breaking news will be posted here in the meantime.
A girl has died after she fell from a ride at a theme park in Staffordshire, police say.
The Splash Canyon at Drayton Manor has been closed following the incident.
Staffordshire Police has confirmed that the girl was on a school trip to the park.
These pictures were taken by Tom Goodwin.
Air Ambulance over Drayton Manor
Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today
We will have all the latest on the developing story at Drayton Manor theme park, after the girl who fell into the water died.
Two men have been charged with attempted robbery, wounding and possession of a firearm, after a man was shot in Birmingham.
And schoolchildren have received an unusual winged donation after thieves stole birds from their aviary.
Join us for more on these stories and more on Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
The family of an 11-year-old girl who died while on a school trip at Drayton Manor theme park have requested that their wishes for privacy are respected at this difficult time.
The girl was rescued from the water by park staff and airlifted to a hospitral in Birmingham, but could not be saved, the ambulance service say.
Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews discovered a girl with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff.
"Ambulance staff administered advanced life support before she was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital with the doctor continuing treatment en-route.
"Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital the girl passed away."
Supt Carl Ratcliffe, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Specially-trained officers are supporting the girl's family at this difficult time.
"Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends following this tragic incident."
Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
The 11-year-old girl who fell into water at Drayon Manor theme park has died this afternoon, police have said.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Most of us will have a clear night tonight and tomorrow we're going to see plenty of sunshine, with temperatures reaching 15C (59F).
Charlie Slater has your forecast
Jadey Braham was at the theme park when an 11-year-old girl fell into the water.
She said: "We were just leaving the 4D cinema when we saw the ambulances come racing past.
"At first nobody knew what was going on and I think there was a bit of a panic as to why the police were there.
"But then... we got told somebody fell out of the rapids - the Splash Canyon - and into the water.
"I'm not sure how serious it was, but many of the staff members were very upset."
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
Members of the media have assembled in a conference room at the Drayton Manor hotel to await more details from today's incident.
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Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
The Splash Canyon ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire remains closed following "an incident."
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to reports of a "patient in the water" at 14:18.
Staffordshire Police say a girl, believed to be an 11-years-old from the Leicester area, external, has been airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Image source, GoogleThe water ride is described as "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids".
The theme park website description adds: "Swerve around corners, splash through the waves, and get soaked as your boat is swept along our fast-flowing rapids. No two experiences are ever the same.
"You'll feel like you're in the middle of the jungle as you speed, bounce, and splash your way around our river, past other rides and through the trees, experiencing the most unpredictable and thrilling of river rapid rides. It's called Splash Canyon for a reason."
The Health and Safety Executive say it is "aware" of the situation.
Thomas Lawrence, who sexually assaulted a child aged four, was jailed for four years.
Read MoreThe raiders were caught on CCTV at the store in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
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