Emergency services were called to Pencester Gardens in Dover in the early hours of Wednesday (August 3). The site was home to the Family Funfair run by Kent-based Forrest Amusements, which, according to a poster, was due to open to the public on Wednesday. The Department of Health and Safety 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 had happened so I’m going to come and see what it is. “I went out and saw two policemen blocking the road, cars are not allowed in, so I went through. “The police were unable 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 shock waves and ripples. Although it had nothing to do with me, if I am 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 dead at the scene.” A Kent Police spokesman said: “Kent Police were called by South East Coast Ambulance Service to Pencester Gardens, Dover, at 7.45am. on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. “No suspicious circumstances have been reported and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.” A spokesman for Forrest Amusements said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident which occurred this morning at one of our events in Pencester Gardens, Dover. “Kent Police have 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.” A witness said she had seen “three ambulances, a couple of fire engines and a couple of police cars along Pencester Street, which was blocked off”. In a statement, a spokesman for Dover District Council said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident early this morning at Pencester Gardens in Dover. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the teenager involved. “The incident happened at a funfair run by Forrest Amusements, but the fair was closed at the time. “Kent Police have 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.”
