A girl suffered rib and spine fractures after falling from a fairground ride in Thailand.

The youngster, 12, was flung from the giant octopus ride when the operator allegedly started the machine without securing the safety bars during the Winter Festival in Nakhon Ratchasima province on December 14.

The girl clung onto the safety bars as the ride spun around for three more laps. She lost her grip and plunged 10ft to the ground.

Medics rushed her to the Pak Chong Nana Hospital for a fractured rib and spine.

In a December 15 statement, the hospital said: 'It was found that the patient had one broken rib, air in the lungs, and two fractured vertebrae. The patient is currently still being treated in the hospital with a tube inserted to drain air from her lungs. This morning, the patient is conscious and can communicate normally.'

The girl's sister, 15, claimed the ride operator had started the ride despite the passengers not being ready.

She said: 'I shouted and raised my hands to signal that the machine was not locked yet. The staff also did not stop the ride immediately.

'My sister was gripping the lap bar, but because she was heavy, she could not hold on for too long. My friends and I also fell from the ride, but we landed on the metal grille floor.'

Ride owner Naruebet and festival organiser La-ongkaew have visited the girl at the hospital. They promised to shoulder her medical expenses.

Naruebet said: 'We will coordinate with the engineering department of Nong Sarai Subdistrict Administrative Organization to inspect the ride's stability again. If it is found to have a problem, the service will be stopped until the inspection is complete.'

He added that the ride had the proper permit and was last inspected on April 8.

In April, a toddler survived a 25ft from a Ferris wheel gondola in Bangkok.

The curious toddler Kanchaya Phoyen, 3, was standing at the bottom of the ride watching it go around before grabbing one of the metal bars. She reached the top as the operator heard her calling for help.

She soon plunged to the ground but her fall was cushioned by striking one of the gondola roofs on the way down.

The Engineering Institute of Thailand has previously urged the government to improve safety measures at fairgrounds in the country. The organisation found that 60 per cent of mobile fun fairs were operating without basic safety standards.