A festive evening at the Shepton Mallet Carnival was brought to an abrupt standstill after a participant fell from a moving float during the main procession.
Emergency Response at the Carnival
The incident occurred at approximately 8.40pm on Wednesday, November 12, roughly an hour after the parade had set off from its starting point on Cannard's Grave Road. The carnival was immediately halted as emergency services, including an ambulance and police officers, navigated through the dense crowds and between the stationary parade entries to reach the casualty.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a carnival participant had tumbled from one of the carnival carts. The individual received immediate first aid at the scene from police officers and a team from St John's Ambulance before being rushed to hospital for further treatment.
Parade Resumes After Delay
According to eyewitness accounts given to Somerset Live, the procession was paused for almost an hour while the emergency care was administered. During this unexpected break, the lead float, Newmarket Carnival Club's 'Ghost Chickens', helped to maintain the atmosphere by playing music for the waiting spectators.
Fortunately, the police have stated that the injuries sustained by the individual are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. The parade was able to resume its journey at around 9.30pm.
Thanks for Public Patience
In an official statement, Avon and Somerset Police extended their gratitude, saying: "We would like to thank members of the public and carnival participants for their patience and understanding." The exact location of the accident and the specific float involved remain unclear.
