Mud blights Diana fountain

First it was the leaves, then it was slippery stone. Now it is mud.

Despite efforts to increase safety there has been another accident at the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fountain.

A woman, believed to be in her forties and Spanish, was taken to hospital after slipping on mud at the site in Hyde Park on Saturday, the day after it reopened following a month-long safety review.

New guidelines allow visitors to perch beside the fountain and dip their toes into the water but not run or walk in it. But heavy downpours had flooded the fountain and turned surrounding areas into a "mudbath".

However, officials are now confident they have the definitive answer - a remote control system which instantly reduces water levels, putting a stop to flooding and any muddy patches it causes.

Royal Parks spokesman Theo Moore said: "We will keep monitoring how visitors use the site. If it turns out to be more than a one-off then we will look at the situation again, but we think this was simply a case of the lady involved slipping over, and an everyday occurrence."

The woman was helped by her son and one of six security guards who monitor visitors. She did not suffer any serious injuries.

But it is the latest in a series of teething problems at the ?3.6 million memorial fountain, designed by American Kathryn Gustafson.

Originally, visitors were invited to paddle in the fountain, which pours water into a large granite ring, flowing in two directions to "reflect the turbulence, excitement and energy in Diana's life".

But within a day of opening the filters failed to work and the fountain flooded after becoming blocked with leaves.

Within a fortnight it was closed after three people, including a child, fell on the wet granite. New rules, in place for the reopening last Friday, were supposed to prevent any repeats.

The texture of the granite stone was roughened to improve grip. Visitors were asked to paddle and sit in the water, but not walk or run.

A 400-yard fence and the six security guards limit numbers and a new "autumn filtration system" prevents the fountain becoming clogged with leaves.

Three-year-old Portia Kirtlan, from Australia, was impressed and enjoyed a splash in the fountain.

Her mother Angela said of the memorial: "It is a lot bigger and more impressive than I thought it would be."