Theme park to stay closed today after death of Evha, 11

A theme park where an 11-year-old schoolgirl died after falling from a water ride will stay closed for a third day while a health and safety investigation continues.

Evha Jannath, from Leicester, was fatally injured on Tuesday after falling from a boat on the Splash Canyon ride during a school trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The youngster's family said they have been "torn apart" by the tragedy and requested that the ride is suspended until the inquiry has concluded and the full facts are established.

In a statement, Drayton Manor said the park would remain closed on Friday.

The statement read: "The park will be closed on Friday, to allow the Health and Safety Executive to complete their work.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the family and all those who have been affected by Tuesday's incident."

An inquest into the death is expected to open next week.

Staffordshire Police said officers and members of the HSE were continuing their work at the site.

The force said it anticipated that a post-mortem examination will take place on Monday.

It is understood that theme parks including Legoland, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park have closed similar rides as a precaution.

Merlin Entertainments, which operates several theme parks across Europe, including Alton Towers, said it had closed its rapids rides as a precaution.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "Safety is our number one priority and after conducting a further detailed review of our safety measures and after liaising with the Health & Safety Executive, we are confident in being able to open the rapids rides at relevant parks today."