Brother of girl who died at Drayton Manor speaks out
Evha Jannath, 11, died after falling from the Splash Canyon ride at Drayton Manor. MPs heard today that she had tried to wade back to the boat but received 'no help'
The family of a girl who died after falling off a water ride at a theme park have spoken for first time of the 'unbearable pain' they are suffering.
Evha Jannath was killed when she fell from the Splash Canyon rapids ride at Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire.
The 11-year-old was reportedly 'dragged under by the rapids' after falling from the six-seater boat while 'standing up to swap seats.
A post-mortem following the tragedy in May this year found that the schoolgirl was killed by 'blunt force chest trauma'.
Now her brother Muhammed Islam has told of the devastation the little girl's death has left behind.
The 19-year-old human biology undergraduate at Loughborough University who shared a home with his sister and mum in Belgrave, Leicester, recalled the last time he saw his sister.
It was May 9, the day of a school trip when Evha and many of her classmates at Jameah Girls' Academy, in Highfields, Leicester, were heading for a fun day out.
He said: 'I was in bed when there was a little knock at my bedroom door which woke me up at 7am. Evha popped her head round the door and asked if I could give her some money for the trip.
'I opened a drawer and gave her £10. She smiled and told me she would get herself something but also some sweets for me.
Now her brother Muhammed Islam has opened his heart on behalf of the family and told of the devastation the little girl's death has left behind
'That was typical of her. She always so caring, so thoughtful, always thinking of others.
'She had been so excited the night before, it was lovely to see. She was so full of laughter, so full of the joy of life.'
Later that day he was given unimaginable news; his sister was dead.Â
'It's almost too much to take in, too much for all of us, for me, for my mum, for my dad for the rest of the family,' says Muhammed. 'You don't expect your little sister to leave the house to go on a school trip but to never come home. Sometimes it feels like it's all a bad dream, like it's not real.
'I can't really explain it, but some days I expect Evha to po p her head round the door like she used to.
'It is hard to cope with. My mum is just so distraught. I think she is still in shock. It is so hard for all of us, particularly mum, to know how to move forward in any way.'
Muhammed said both his mother and father are too upset to talk about their daughter's death. The next step for the family could be legal action, but the family say they are not interested in cash.
Her family are now looking at whether negligence was to blame over the schoolgirl's death at the Tamworth theme park. Pictured is an aerial view of the Splash Canyon ride
The Splash Canyon ride opened in 1993 and is a water rapids-style ride where guests sit in a boat and are sent down a choppy 'river'.
The family say the aim of any legal action would be to ensure that whatever led to Evha's death does not happen again.
'We are taking legal advice about a possible civil action,' he said. 'But it is not about money.
Muhammed has a Pokemon glass, bowl and plate set which Evha bought at Drayton Manor with the £10 he gave her
'What it is about is trying to make sure that no other family has to go through what we have had to suffer and are still suffering, every minute of every day.
'We need to ensure that the investigation into what happened on that day is rigorous and examines every little detail.'
'It is heartbreaking to know that Evha was on the last ride of the day, and it was on the last turn that she fell into the water,' he added. 'That is particularly hard to take. So near, so close to coming home to us. This can never happen again.'
Muhammed said he and his family had been overwhelmed by the support they have received after the tragic loss of his sister.
'We have received countless cards , letters, e-mails texts and messages from people all over the world,' he says. It has not mattered about people's race or religions, people have sent us the most amazing love and support.
'It has helped us a great deal, and still does help us.'Â
Muhammed has a Pokemon glass, bowl and plate set which Evha bought at Drayton Manor with the £10 he gave her.
'I did not get the sweets she promised, but I did get this,' he said. 'It reminds me of her in a good way. The happy, smiling, loving, fun little girl, my sister.
But he still cannot bring himself to look at the pictures of Evha he has on his mobile phone.
 Labour MP Keith Vaz said the youngster's family - who live in his Leicester East constituency - remain 'shocked and in mourning' following the tragedy
'It just hurts too much,' he said. 'I have lots of photographs of Evha on my phone but I just can't look at them. I can't go there - it is just too painful.Â
'Maybe one day soon I will be able to look at her photographs. I hope so.'
Leading a Commons debate on theme park safety, Labour MP Keith Vaz said Evha's family - who live in his Leicester East constituency - remain 'shocked and in mourning' following the tragedy.
He said her father wants no other families to be 'hit by a tragic event like this again', adding that they deserve nothing less than the truth.
Mr Vaz also suggested potential changes to improve theme park safety, i ncluding ensuring children under 12 are 'accompanied by an adult at all times' on such rides.
He said her father wants no other families to be 'hit by a tragic event like this again', adding that they deserve nothing less than the truth. Pictured is the Drayton Manor Theme ParkÂ
He added that it should be a 'priority' to make sure that rides are 'adequately staffed'.
The Labour MP also suggested a law change is needed to lift the 'woefully low' £15,000 cap on bereavement damages for death of a child.
Work and Pensions minister Penny Mordaunt said Drayton Manor's procedures for responding to emergencies at the Splash Canyon ride will be examined as part of the investigation.
Ms Mordaunt promised 'appropriate action' will be taken if the investigation exposes any breaches of the law.
An inquest into Evha's death has been adjourned until November.Â
Bosses at Drayton Manor closed the popular them e park for three days following the tragedy as police and safety officials investigated how the youngster was thrown from the ride.
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Staffordshire Police said a post mortem concluded that Evha died from chest injuries.
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