Health and safety investigation launched after woman suffers head injuries falling from waltzer ride on Blackpool's South Pier

The Government agency is being assisted by Lancashire Police following the incident on the resort's South Pier yesterday.

The incident happened just after 6.30pm when a woman in her 20s fell of the waltzer ride on the pier.

Images from the scene showed the Waltzer ride surrounded in police tape and a large hole in one of the perspex windows.

Eyewitnesses said a woman had attempted to stand up while the ride was in motion, causing her to fall.

Lancashire Police, North West Air Ambulance and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) all attended the incident.

The force confirmed today that an investigation had been launched into the incident.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We were called at around 6.50pm yesterday (Tuesday) to South Pier Promenade, Blackpool, to reports of an industrial accident.

"We attended and found a woman, aged in her 20s, had come off the waltzers ride and suffered suspected head and neck injuries.

"She was taken to hospital for treatment. Thankfully her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

"The incident is now being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with assistance from police."

A spokesman for NWAS confirmed they treated the woman for head injuries and she was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 18:38 yesterday evening to South Pier and an ambulance, rapid response vehicle and the North West Air Ambulance's land rescource vehicle were sent to the incident.

"A woman, believed to be in her late 20s to early 30s, was taken to hospital with head injuries but they didn't look to serious. They weren't classed as major trauma injuries."

The incident happened just days after the waltzer ride on Central Pier was destroyed by a fire.

The blaze broke out at the historic pier on Friday morning with around 50 firefighters and ten engines rushing to the scene to bring it under control.

The owner's of Blackpool's three piers, the Sedgwick family, have been approached for comment.