Young girl killed in bouncy castle incident on Gorleston beach, Norfolk

'Desperately tragic event,' says local MP Brandon lewis

The scene on Gorleston beach in Norfolk, after a young girl died after reportedly being thrown from a bouncy castle (PA)

A young girl has died after an incident involving a bouncy castle on a popular Norfolk beach, police have confirmed.

They were called to Lower Esplanade at Gorleston-on-Sea at around 11.15am on Sunday following reports a child had been thrown from a bouncy castle.

It is believed a lifeguard carried out CPR at the scene for around 15 minutes before paramedics arrived.

The young girl was then taken to the James Paget Hospital in a “serious condition”, but she later died.

Next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specialist officers from Norfolk Constabulary.

A joint investigation between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), local authority, and police has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A police cordon has been set up at the scene while enquiries continue. The rest of the beach remains open to members of the public.

The East of England Ambulance Service said: “We attended the incident this morning at Gorleston beach, involving a patient using inflatable equipment.

“More than a dozen calls were received at just after 11am, and several people at the scene including the RNLI were providing assistance to the patient.

“Several of our teams were dispatched, with the first on scene in four minutes. The young female was seriously injured and in cardiac arrest on our arrival, and was conveyed to James Paget Hospital.

“Sadly, despite all of the efforts and interventions, she was pronounced deceased.

“We would like to thank everyone who rushed to respond to the young patient, and did everything possible to give her treatment and care. Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

Brandon Lewis, Conservative MP for Great Yarmouth, joined those expressing their condolences. He tweeted: “Absolutely tragic, thoughts are with family & friends, just so sad.”

This incident is the latest in which a fun day out with giant inflatables has turned to tragedy.

Married fairground workers William and Shelby Thurston and Shelby Thurston – who were found responsible for the “entirely preventable” death of a 7-year-old girl who was blown away in a bouncy castle they did not properly secure – were jailed for three years in June.

Summer Grant was killed after a gust of wind lifted the inflatable from its moorings and sent it cartwheeling 300 metres down a hill at an Easter fair in Harlow, Essex.

In July 2006, Elizabeth Anne Collings and Claire Furmedge died after the Dreamspace artwork blew free in Chester-le-Street, with several others badly hurt.

The huge walk-in structure – half the size of a football pitch – took off in a gust of wind with 20 visitors inside.

Additional reporting by Press Association