Escalator fall girl 'critical'

Evie Parry broke her left leg, left arm and suffered internal injuries when she fell from the second floor to the ground floor at the Primark clothing store in Liverpool city centre.

She is being treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital where her condition was described as "critical but stable".

Her condition continues to be closely monitored, a police spokesman said.

Evie, from Liverpool, was with her family in the Church Street store when the accident took place at about 1.30pm on Friday.

The youngster's parents thanked staff at Primark and shoppers who came to their daughter's aid.

A statement from Merseyside Police said: "Evie's parents would like to express their thanks to all the staff at the Primark store and also the members of the public who responded quickly in providing First Aid to their daughter after she fell.

"Evie's parents would also like to thank all the staff at the Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, particularly all the staff at the Intensive Care Unit. At this stage Evie's family have asked that the media continue to respect their privacy as they do not wish to speak to the media at this time."

Detectives were investigating the incident together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Liverpool City Council.

Council engineers tested the escalators and cleared them of any mechanical fault. The store, which at 84,000 sq ft is one of the biggest Primark stores in the UK, reopened its doors with the escalators in use.