Carnival louts drench Princess

Twelve-year-old Jessica Hunt, of Goring, was riding in an open-top car along Worthing seafront during the parade, when a group of troublemakers armed with water pistols and water bombs soaked her back and hair. People on other floats were also splattered.

The mayoress of Worthing, police sergeant Mel Doyle, was travelling in the Rotary open-top bus behind Jessica. She was so concerned about her well-being, she dashed to the bottom of the double-decker bus to have a closer look at what was going on.

Speaking to the Worthing Herald yesterday, Jessica said: "There was a man on a bike which had a carriage attached to it and there was a woman and two men behind it. They had a black bag full of water bombs and all of a sudden, they started squirting the parade with water pistols.

"They squirted me as well. Then, one of the men got a water bomb from the bag and threw it at the car. It hit the car and water splattered all up my back. I was shocked and a bit upset because it did spoil things a little bit."

Jessica, who was named princess by Herald readers, was picked up at noon in an open-top car and taken to Marine Crescent, Goring, for the start of the parade. But she was not ambushed until she was halfway through the parade along Worthing seafront.

Jessica's mother Keely, who was travelling in the Rotary open-top bus behind Jessica, said: "We were halfway through the parade, when all of a sudden these people appeared from the crowd with water pistols.

"I didn't realise what had happened at first, but apparently, the mayoress went down the bus stairs to see what had happened. She was OK and stayed in the car until the end of the parade. It was annoying because it was a special day for her and someone had spoilt it."

The mayor, James Doyle, who was also travelling in the bus behind Jessica said: "It is unfortunate that some people let high spirits get the better of them and these have unfortunate consequences.

"We saw what happened, but were not able to get off the bus. Ron Noakes, of the Rotary, managed to get off and go over and see Jessica."

Ron Noakes, who helped organise the event, said: "We are all very upset because this could have ruined Jessica's day. I think the people who did it are irresponsible and ought to know better. People should not have to resort to these sorts of things."

l Meanwhile, a 15-year-old girl had to be rushed to hospital with a suspected fractured elbow, when she fell trying to get onto the Stray Cats Youth Group float. Members of St John Ambulance rushed to help and she was taken to Worthing Hospital.

Cynthia Dudas, of Stray Cats, said: "Water from the pistols was a nuisance, but not the cause of the girl falling. She was trying to get on when she slipped and fell. She was taken to see a doctor and it is believed she has fractured her elbow. She is fine now."