A four-year-old girl has died after being found unconscious at Waterworld in Staffordshire, Britain's largest aqua park. The incident occurred on Monday, August 4, at the facility in Festival Park. Emergency crews resuscitated the child before rushing her to hospital, where she later died.
Laurent Bruloy, executive chairman and co-founder of the Looping Group, which had just acquired Waterworld days before the tragedy, expressed being "deeply saddened" by the loss. He said: "The deal was finalised on 31st of July and although Looping Group has been pleased to welcome the park into the Looping group family, we have all been saddened by the recent tragic accident and extend our deepest thoughts and sympathy to the family of the young girl involved."
According to reports, the girl was discovered unconscious in the lagoon section of the facility. Waterworld confirmed that no waves were in operation at the time of the incident, and it did not take place in the wave pool. The park stated: "We confirm that this incident did not take place in the Wave Pool, nor were the waves on at the time."
Waterworld has been allowed to reopen as normal from Wednesday, August 6, after cooperating fully with authorities. The park welcomes around 250,000 visitors per year and says its safety procedures are "extremely rigorous." The Looping Group completed the purchase of Waterworld Leisure Limited and Waterworld Leisure Group Limited on July 31, after a year of discussions with former owner Mo Chaudry.
