PENARTH’S Downhill Derby had to be abruptly cancelled halfway through the competition after someone fell off their kart and was injured.

Update 6.10pm: Cliff Hill closed off and police presence still there as someone seriously injured at Downhill Derby event.

A South Wales Police spokesperson has said: "We are aware of an incident at the Penarth Summer Festival this afternoon (Saturday, July 13).

"A participant in the event has been taken to hospital and is in a serious condition.

"Officers have attended to assist with crowd safety in the area.

"This incident is ongoing."

During the racing segment of the event a member of the Cardiff Gas Ltd team fell off the back of the kart and needed prolonged medical intervention.

Cardiff Gas Ltd entered two teams in the competition with their speedster for the time trail and then a four-person kart for the racing.

Organisers abruptly ended the event after the incident and emergecny services were calledOrganisers abruptly ended the event after the incident and emergecny services were called (Image: Newsquest)

Cardiff Gas team's kart. It was on there four person kart that someone fell off the backOne of Cardiff Gas team's karts. It was on there four person kart that someone fell off the back (Image: Newsquest)

The hill where the incident occurred is closed offThe hill where the incident occurred is closed off - photo taken 6.10pm (Image: Newsquest)

It was on this kart that one of the members fell off.

The incident happened at about 3.30pm.

The downhill derby is one of the highlights of events to take place in the townThe downhill derby is one of the highlights of events to take place in the town (Image: Newsquest)

Along with the medical team already present at the race, emergency services were called to the scene.

There was due to be more racing, but organisers decided to end the event after the incident.

This is a developing story and we will give you more news when we get it.