AN investigation has been launched after nine children were injured when a giant inflatable slide blew over during the Swanage Regatta & Carnival today.

Of the nine youngsters initially treated at the scene, three were taken to the nearby minor injuries unit at Swanage Hospital and one taken to Poole Hospital by ambulance.

None of the injures were described as serious.

Initial reports from Dorset Police suggested 13 young children had been hurt in the drama, which unfolded at Sandpit Field, Swanage, around 1.45pm.

Members of the public and stallholders rushed to help when the attraction blew over in strong winds.

Scores of youngsters had reportedly played on the inflatable throughout the morning, and witnesses said there was a feeling of panic in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

Police, coastguard officers and South West Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene, and the air ambulance was called - but stood down before it landed - as a precaution.

A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed: “A giant inflatable slide belonging to a private stallholder as part of the Swanage Carnival week had come loose.

“In total nine children were treated at the scene. Most were described as walking wounded and were cared for by on-site paramedics before going home.”

Police also confirmed that details of the incident will now be passed to the Health and Safety Executive, which will carry out its own investigation.

Visitor Richard Pollard said: “I was at the other side of the arena and I knew something had happened because of all of the commotion. Apparently it just flipped over in the wind. The police and ambulance were here really fast though.”

One stall-holder, who declined to be named, said: “I couldn’t see how many children were on there at the time but they were quite young and there were a lot of tears. Thankfully no-one has been seriously injured and pretty quickly afterwards the carnival was back to normal and everyone was having fun.”

Carnival chairman Becky Mack said: “My thanks go to our on site first aid providers, White Horse Training, the carnival committee, the public, stallholders, Dorset Police, ambulance services and coastguard who assisted with this incident.”