Health and Safety Executive investigating after teenage boy dies at funfair in Dover

A teenage boy has died at a fair on the Kent coast.

Emergency services were called to Pencester Gardens in Dover in the early hours of Wednesday (3 August).

The site was hosting the Family Funfair run by Kent-based Forrest Amusements which, according to a poster, was due to open to the public on Wednesday.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the circumstances of the incident, which Kent Police said was “not suspicious”.

A resident who lives nearby said she heard more sirens than usual. Catherine Dennison said: "I thought something has gone on so I'm going to come and see what it is.

"I came out and saw two policemen blocking the road, no cars allowed to turn in so I walked through.

"The police weren't able to say what had happened but I spoke to some people who had seen or heard and they all said the same thing that a boy had died.

"When a serious incident happens it leaves shockwaves and ripples. Though it had nothing to do with me, if I'm affected, imagine his family and friends.

"It must be really shocking for them."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 7.42am this morning to a serious incident at Pencester Gardens in Dover.

“We immediately dispatched a number of clinical resources to the scene, including our Hart team and critical care paramedics; however, sadly, a teenage boy was pronounced as deceased at the scene.”

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called by South East Coast Ambulance Service to Pencester Gardens, Dover, at 7.45am on Wednesday 3 August 2022.

“No suspicious circumstances have been reported, and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.”

A spokesman for Forrest Amusements said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic incident which occurred this morning at one of our funfair events in Pencester Gardens, Dover.

"Kent Police has confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

"The Health and Safety Executive has attended the scene along with the emergency services."

• Local resident Catherine Dennison described the incident as 'shocking.'

A witness said she had seen “three ambulances, a couple of fire trucks and some police vehicles along Pencester Road, which was blocked off".

In a statement, a spokesperson for Dover District Council said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic incident early this morning in Pencester Gardens in Dover.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the teenage boy involved.

"The incident occurred at a funfair operated by Forrest Amusements, but the fair was shut at the time.

"Kent Police has confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner. The Health and Safety Executive attended the scene along with the emergency services."