An 18-year-old girl is recovering in the hospital after suffering devastating injuries when her hair allegedly became entangled in a moving fairground ride at the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show in Hampshire, England.
The incident occurred around 10:53 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, during the popular annual event in the village of Netley Marsh. Witnesses say the teen slipped on the ride’s oscillating floor, fell backward, and had her hair pulled into the mechanism beneath her, causing what experts described as a traumatic “degloving” injury.
Emma Perry, a 51-year-old nurse who was on the ride with her 17-year-old daughter, immediately rushed to help when a friend of the victim called for aid.
“Her friend came off the ride and said she was bleeding, so I offered my services as a first aider,” Perry told the Southern Daily Echo. “When I got up there, I saw that three-quarters of the girl’s scalp had been ripped off. First responders were already on the scene, so I cradled her head and kept talking to her.”
Emergency crews reportedly had to cut part of the ride apart to free the screaming, visibly distressed teenager. She was rushed to the hospital with what authorities say are potentially life-altering injuries.
Police confirmed they are working with the UK’s Health and Safety Executive to investigate the cause of the accident. The ride involved has since been closed.
Charles Cole, owner of the fun fair operating at the show, described the incident as a “freak accident,” noting that the ride had passed inspections and had carried dozens of passengers earlier in the evening without issue.
“The ride is 20 years old but had been tested that day. This was a freak accident,” Cole told reporters. “Her hair got caught, and she couldn’t grab the handrails. Nobody wants to hurt anyone—we’re a family business, and it was very upsetting for the man who owns the ride.”
Cole added, “Safety is our priority, and we sympathize with the girl and her parents.”
Despite the severity of the incident, the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show reopened the following morning. In a Facebook post shared Sunday, organizers acknowledged the event remained open:
“Despite what you may have read or seen online, we are open and look forward to seeing you all.”
Authorities have not yet released the name of the injured teen. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.