Girl dies after being thrown from 'exploding' bouncy castle
- Published
Police have cordoned off an area on Gorleston beach and an investigation is under way
A child has died after being thrown from a bouncy castle that eyewitnesses say exploded on a Norfolk beach.
The girl was thrown from the inflatable at Gorleston beach at about 11:00 BST and paramedics took her to James Paget Hospital, but she died of her injuries.
Norfolk Police have cordoned off a section of the beach, which was busy with people enjoying the hot weather, to begin an investigation.
The inflatable was on Lower Esplanade in the children's play area.
Eyewitnesses said it "exploded" and the child was thrown into the air.
The girl was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived
The beach is busy with people enjoying the good weather
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) said it received more than a dozen calls to the incident and several people, including the RNLI, came to the aid of the girl.
Paramedics were on scene within four minutes, when the girl was in cardiac arrest, and she later died.
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An EEAST spokeswoman said: "We would like to thank everyone who rushed to respond the young patient, and did everything possible to give her treatment and care. Our thoughts are with the family at this time."
An investigation involving the Health and Safety Executive, local authority and police is under way.
Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, is a popular beach destination for families and on Wednesday played host to the filming of a new film by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.
Great Yarmouth's MP, Brandon Lewis, said on Twitter, external: "Absolutely tragic, thoughts are with family and friends, just so sad."
Earlier this month, two fairground workers were jailed for manslaughter by gross negligence after a bouncy castle blew away with seven-year-old Summer Grant inside, in Essex in March 2016.