Girl run over at X-Mas pagent?

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

Ive been told that a girl fell off the back of a trailer and got run over by the following vehicle at the Hobart X-Mas pagent. Anyone know any more?

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

SAFETY procedures for Hobart's Christmas Pageant are under review after three participants were taken to hospital yesterday.

Chaos descended on the parade after a young girl was run over by a float on Liverpool St about 11am.

Spectators say the nine-year-old fell off the Clarence Aquatic Centre YMCA float.

Police inspector Brett Smith said the pageant was stopped immediately and the girl taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

"Police are conducting a full investigation," he said.

The girl was admitted to intensive care but later transferred to the high dependency unit in a stable condition. She is believed to have a broken pelvis and chest injuries.

Clarence Aquatic Centre YMCA manager Mark Guy said the girl had been walking next to the float when the accident occurred.

He said the cause of the accident and how she got under the wheels of the float were not known.

Mr Guy said he did not know if the girl had fallen.
Mr Guy said all the necessary requirements had been met before the parade began.

"At this stage, our major concern is with the family and the injured girl," he said.

"Until we know the full facts of what actually happened, we won't be making any further comment."

The family declined to comment.

In a separate float incident, a seven-year-old girl broke her leg.

She is in hospital in a stable condition.

Other details were not available.

Another person suffered serious cuts after falling through glass while preparing a float yesterday morning.

The person was taken to hospital and had surgery later in the day.

Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine said the council understood police were conducting a full investigation into the incident.

The council would also do its own review, he said.

The incidents marred an otherwise successful event which saw thousands turn up to mark the start of the Christmas season.

Parent Reg Stone, of South Hobart, who is a regular at the parade, said the excitement could get to the younger ones.

"They have to be watched. Parents really have to make sure their children are safe," he said.

"The barriers are just a thin string."





http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story...68-921,00.html