Everything we know as fairground ride crashes to the ground injuring several people

Two women have been taken to hospital after an incident on a fairground ride in Birmingham. The popular 55m-tall City Flyer ride dropped to ground level "whilst in operation" in Centenary Square, emergency services have said.

Here is what we know so far:

'Dropped to ground'

The West Midlands Fire Service said the City Flyer ride had dropped to ground level "whilst in operation" in Centenary Square. Pictures from the scene posted to social media appear to show wires from two of the gondolas had tangled up with each other.

"This incident involved a fairground ride that had failed and crashed," the fire service said. "The ride dropped to ground level whilst in operation."

How many were injured

Thirteen people were treated by West Midlands Ambulance Service with two taken to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. The ambulance service said the two women taken to hospital were not believed to have suffered serious injuries, while the remaining casualties were discharged at the scene.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 7.30pm on Thursday.

'It fell, the thing fell'

A witness to the terrifying "collapse" of a fairground ride gave a chilling account of the incident. One stunned onlooker described the scene: "It was all the way up there and it fell, the thing fell" as he relayed the gravity of the situation to a companion.

His comments were recorded in a video that also shows the chaotic aftermath of the incident, including members of the public rushing to help those trapped in the "collapsed" structure. A woman can be heard saying: "The ambulance is on its way," amidst shocked exclamations from other witnesses, reports the Mirror.

Who operates the ride

Danter Attractions, who manage the ride, declined to comment when contacted about the incident. They operate and hire portable theme park attractions and amusement rides throughout the UK and Europe.

Birmingham City Council released a statement: "We're aware of the incident in Centenary Square. Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and wish them a speedy recovery. Our emergency planning officers are the scene to support emergency services if required."