A 20-STONE woman sparked a dramatic rescue operation yesterday after getting stuck on a Butlins water slide.
Around 100 holidaymakers were evacuated from the ride as fire crews struggled to free the victim, who suffered suspected spinal injuries at the Minehead resort in Somerset.
The mum of two was in a yellow rubber dingy with a slimmer female pal when they became trapped half-way down the Splash Waterworld slide.
A lifeguard climbed up to help them from the inflatable. But as the woman stepped on to the slide she slipped and fell.
Three fire engines and two ambulances were sent as a two-hour operation began to free the victim, in her 40s. Her young children were taken to a camp nursery.
The attraction was drained of water and the woman strapped to a spinal board, then hauled down the remaining 100ft of the slide.
Her injuries were not thought to be serious. But the incident sparked a review of safety procedures at the resort.
Butlins said a pump fault halted the water flow on the slide, which has a weight restriction of 20-stone per dinghy.
A spokesman estimated the woman weighed around 16 stone.
But an insider claimed: "Saying she is 16 stone is very generous. I would say she was around the weight restriction limit just by herself.
"Chances of a sudden problem with the water were also pretty slim. The combined weight of the women was just too much and they grounded.
"At one point they thought they might have to dismantle the ride."
