A 14-year-old boy has suffered “significant injuries” after becoming trapped under a tram during a family event in Blackpool on Tuesday evening.
The teenager had been cycling along the tramway when he fell from his bike and beneath the vehicle as passengers and families looked on shortly before 10pm last night.
The incident took place during the Ride the Lights event, which gives families the chance to cycle along the town’s promenade and enjoy the famous Blackpool Illuminations traffic-free.
Specialist equipment had to be used by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in order to lift the tram and rescue the teenager, who was taken to Alder Hay Children’s Hospital in a serious condition.
Lancashire Constabulary have confirmed the teenager is in hospital and undergoing emergency treatment after sustaining serious injuries, particularly to his hips, pelvis, and legs.
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 9.46pm yesterday evening and attended with one ambulance, one advanced paramedic, and two rapid response vehicles.
“We conveyed one teenage patient from the scene to hospital in a serious condition.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 9.46pm fire engines from South Shore and Blackpool along with the Urban Search and Rescue Team from Chorley were called to reports of an incident involving a tram on the Promenade, Blackpool.
“On arrival crews discovered the incident involved a casualty trapped under a tram and used equipment, lighting, lifting equipment and step chocks to release the casualty who was treated by paramedics at the scene before being conveyed to hospital.
“Firefighters were at the scene for approximately 55 minutes.”
All trams were suspended yesterday evening in the aftermath of the incident, however they have been running as normal this morning.
One eyewitness, who claimed on social media to have been on the tram involved in the incident, wrote: “We were in that very tram which had the accident this late evening. It was awful.”
Police officers are now appealing to members of the public after launching and investigation with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch into the incident.
Sergeant Steve Hardman said: “Our thoughts first and foremost, are with the teenage boy who is seriously injured in hospital. We are working to establish exactly what happened and would appeal for the public’s help.
“This happened on a particularly busy night for the resort, with thousands of cyclists taking part in the ‘Ride the Lights’ event.
“We also know that there were a lot of spectators in the area. If you took any videos of the event, which may capture the collision, or were taking part and wearing a head cam, please check your footage and get in touch if you can help.”
Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to 101 or email 2385@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log number 1631 of August 27.
In a response to Blackpool Transport, the same user wrote: “Your lady staff [sic] on the tram was brilliant.
“She instantly took control of the situation inside the tram, calming and guiding passengers to their seats and eventually at the appropriate time letting them out.
“Polite, courteous and inspiring. My compliments and regards to her.”