A fairground worker has died after suffering serious head injuries following an ’emergency incident’ on a ride at a seaside funfair.
Police and paramedics rushed to the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, at around 2.15pm today, where the funfair worker – a man in his 20s – was injured.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead, Northumbria Police said.
A police spokesperson said the man’s next of kin had been contacted and were being supported by specialist officers.
They added: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this extremely difficult time.’
Cops have contacted the Health and Safety Executive to ‘establish exactly what happened’.
The attraction features a row of seats which are suspended in the air and rotated at speed.
The entire fair, which was packed with families this afternoon, has been shut down and a huge police presence was reported at the scene.
An air ambulance was also seen landing on the grass area next to the fairground.
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed that a man had been rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
A spokesperson said: ‘We received a call at 14.13pm on August 23, 2025 to reports of a person seriously injured at a funfair ride near Spanish City at Whitley Bay.
‘We dispatched a rapid response paramedic, a clinical team leader, an emergency ambulance crew and the air ambulance.
‘An off duty medic was also present to support the patient whilst the ambulance was travelling.’
Dog walkers at the popular seaside spot expressed their shock at the horror inside at the funfair.
One said: ‘It’s horrific. You don’t expect something like this.
‘The fair is usually open in the afternoon but it’s obvious something really serious has happened.’
A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: ‘Shortly after 2.15pm today (Saturday), we received a report of concern for the welfare of a man at Spanish City Summer Funfair in the Spanish City Plaza area of Whitley Bay in North Tyneside.
‘Emergency services are currently on scene.
‘The fair has been closed to the public and will remain closed until further notice.’
