Whitley Bay funfair incident: Young man dies after suffering head injuries on ride

A man has died after suffering "serious head injuries" at a popular funfair.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance rushed to the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear this afternoon afterreports that a man had been 'seriously injured' on a ride in a workplace accident.

An off duty medic also supported at the scene. However, despite the best efforts of medical staff, a fairground worker in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene, Northumbria Police confirmed. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed.

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The funfair has been closed to the public "until further notice" following the incident.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 2.15pm today (Saturday), we received a report that a man had been injured in a workplace accident at Spanish City Summer Funfair in the Spanish City Plaza area of Whitley Bay in North Tyneside.

"Emergency services attended and a man in his 20s was found to have suffered serious head injuries. Despite the best efforts of medical staff who attended the scene, a short time later, the man was sadly declared dead.

"His next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this extremely difficult time.

"We have contacted the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and are working with them to establish exactly what happened. The fair has been closed to the public and will remain closed until further notice.

"Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police by sending them a direct message on social media, or by using the live chat or report form functions on the force’s website.

In a statement earlier today, a spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: "The Spanish City funfair at Whitley Bay is closed. This is due to an emergency incident. Further updates will come from Northumbria Police."