Four children have been taken to hospital after a funfair ride collapsed in Northern Ireland.

Emergency services were called to Planet Fun at Carrickfergus Harbour, in Co Antrim, shortly before 6pm to reports that one of the rides had collapsed.

Three children were taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and one child was taken to Antrim Area Hospital, but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Eight others suffered minor cuts and injuries to their legs and back and did not require hospital treatment.

A seating section of one of the riders detached from the main structure and occupants were thrown into the air, the Belfast Telegraph reported.

Four emergency crews, one rapid response vehicle and an ambulance arrived at the fairground to deal with the incident.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also sent three fire appliances and a specialist rescue team to be of assistance.

The air ambulance was also dispatched to the scene.

The fairground has closed for the rest of the Saturday evening, with a spokesperson for the attraction saying “all tickets will automatically be refunded”.

In a statement, the park said: “Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, Planet Fun will be closed tonight for the 7.30 to 10.30pm session.

“All tickets will automatically be refunded. Further updates will follow.”

MLA for East Antrim, Stewart Dickson said he was “concerned” about the reports but understood that nobody had sustained any serious injuries, adding that he hopes “that continues to be the case”.

He said: “Following this, it is now important that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of whatever occurred.”

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