A girl got her foot trapped under a parade float at a carnival – after running to drop coins into a collection box.

The incident occurred yesterday evening at the Herne Bay Carnival in the town centre.

Yvonne Smith, who was attending the event, says she saw the child run towards the penny box on the float.

“The little girl was putting her pennies in the box on the float and she was too near to the wheels of the trailer,” said Mrs Smith.

“Her foot got caught under the wheel.

“My friend ran to the girl and I ran to the car to tell the driver to stop and then back up.”

The driver of the vehicle was reportedly reluctant to continue the procession such was his concern for the injured child.

One of the carnival’s organisers, Andy Birkett, says safety is of the utmost concern when managing the event each year.

“I’ve been involved in the Herne Bay Carnival for the past 40 years, and from time to time incidents do happen when children and even adults go into the road thinking they’re safe,” said Mr Birkett.

“But the carnival is a moving event and they forget about their safety.

“Drivers are always told to be ultra cautious and to have walkers go alongside them to try and stop this kind of thing from happening, but it just takes a millisecond for a child to run out into the road.

“We can only do what we can do, it’s hard enough to try to get volunteers.”

The ambulance service has been contacted for comment.