Girl, 6, screams for help after falling into septic tank pipe at popular Easter attraction
An investigation has been launched at a top Easter tourist attraction after a young girl plunged screaming into a 12ft deep septic tank pipe.
The six-year-old was visiting the Thorp Perrow wildlife park near Beadale, Yorkshire, when she fell into the underground waste container.
Family friend Sarah Cobb, who witnessed the ordeal, said that the top of the tank was hidden by a “big pile of foam” which attracted the girls attention.
She reported that the child was “clinging to the sides” of the large pipe before being pulled out.
Sarah said: “Her mum told her not to, but what child wouldn’t be attracted to a big pile of foam?
“The next thing, we hear screaming and only her head is visible. She was clinging on to the sides of this drain.
“It was absolutely horrendous. She wouldn’t stop crying. This is a family attraction, it should not have happened.”
The family removed the girl from the tank and cleaned her up before going to talk to a member of staff.
Sarah claimed that the Thorp Perrow employee told them it would have taken specialist tools to remove the tank’s cover.
A spokesperson for the park said they were looking into what happened.
Sarah recalled seeing “other children racing towards the foam” and had warned other families before the area was cordoned off.
She added that the child later developed a sore throat and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.
The youngster is understood to have made a full recovery.
A Thorp Perrow spokesperson said: “We are aware of the reported incident and are undertaking a full investigation to establish the facts.
“Whilst we complete this process the area where the reported incident took place has been secured and access closed off.”