Roller coaster derails at M&D's theme park in Scotland

Ten people were injured when a roller coaster car derailed at a theme park in Scotland on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as staff and visitors to M&D's amusement park in Motherwell, North Lanakshire, rushed to help those injured.

Eight children and two adults have been injured. Police said the injured were all being treated at local hospitals.

Six ambulances and six fire engines were at the theme park, after being called at 15.37pm. It was evacuated shortly after.

One adult and one children are in a stable condition and three children are expected to be allowed home later.

The incident occurred on the "Tsunami" roller coaster when five gondolas detached from their rails, collided with the ride's main structure and struck the ground, police said. Nine passengers were on the ride, police added.

The Tsunami can travel at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour through corkscrew turns and loops, according to the park's webside. Children under 10 are not permitted to ride, the park says.

The gondolas fell less than 20 feet, It would appear that they have been coming round a bend and at that point it has detached.

"It's an inverted roller coaster which means that the riders hang in gondolas below the rails rather than sit above them.

James Millerick from Glasgow, who said he had ridden the Tsunami just a few minutes before the derailment, described hearing a crash and screams as he waited in line for another ride with his partner.

Millerick said he was shaken after witnessing a number of people trapped in the derailed car after the crash.

The theme park is now closed but Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remain on site this evening.

A joint investigation is being conducted by police and the HSE.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said, "my thoughts are with everyone involved in this terrible incident at M&D's theme park, especially those injured."



source:
The Guardian & BBC News