Roller Coaster Derails at M&D Theme Park Plunging To The Ground
Although we hate to bring attention to these situations, we can’t avoid them. A major accident at a Scotland theme park has injured several riders as a inverted roller coaster flew off the track near the bottom of its first drop. The Tsunami roller coaster at M&D Theme Park in Motherwell, Scotland has suffered a major accident as the inverted coaster has come completely off the track and plunged into a kids ride.
Emergency services are at the scene investigating the incident. The Scottish ambulance service said they had sent six ambulances, a specialist operation team, and a team of doctors to the site. In some photos people can be seen trapped upside down in their seats on the carriage, with their legs protruding into the air.
It is unclear exactly what caused the accident and the number injured. The Mirror reports that nine children and two adults were injured, but no confirmations if anyone was riding the kids ride at the time of the accident. It is estimated eight to ten people were on board, although the extent of the injuries is not yet known.
Early eyewitness reports are saying that the Tsunami roller coaster carriage derailed while going around a turn near the bottom of the portable coasters first drop. The coaster train plummeted approximately 20 to 30 feet to the ground, landing on top of a child’s car ride. The restraints were locked, leaving casualties trapped in the wreckage. Luckily, the coaster was at a low point of the track when the accident occurred. A group of hero dads desperately tried to free children trapped under the rollercoaster.
One dad said: “I was queuing with my kids to go on the water slide when two security guards raced past and then people starting shouting that the rollercoster had come off the rails.
“It was an unbelievable sight, seeing the full carriage upside down, on top on where those toddlers cars are parked …”
Katie Burns said she had just finished riding the Tsunami rollercoaster and was walking past when the carriage crashed with children on board.
On Facebook, she said: “Literally got off the Tsunami at M&Ds and then walking past and the next lot of people get on and the full thing goes off the tracks.
The park has closed for the remainder of the day and has released the following official statement via their website:
The Tsunami roller coaster travels at speeds of up to 40mph through corkscrew turns and loops. Children under 10 are not allowed to on the ride, and those under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. According to Roller Coaster Database, this particular coaster is a suspended coaster, built by Italian company called Pinfari. The ride previously traveled with touring carnivals and fairs in Argentina, Peru and Nicaragua. Over Sea’s parks do have different laws and regulations, so this is a situation less likely to happen in America. This is the first major accident following The Smiler roller coaster accident (also in the UK) at Alton Towers theme park.
This is a very unfortunate situation. Our entire Coaster Nation team sends prayers to everyone involved.
Every time an accident occurs, even if it’s over sea’s, the question comes up, “Are roller coasters and amusement rides safe?” The short answer is YES! We continue to encourage everyone to visit and support your local amusement parks. High tech computer safety systems on roller coasters are designed to prevent incidents from happening.
The chance of a fatal injury at a theme park is one in 1.5 billion [Source: CPSC]. By comparison, the chance of fatal injury in a car crash is almost 15 in 10,000 [Source: U.S. Department of Transportation]. You’re about twice as likely to suffer a shark attack as you are to sustain an injury at a theme park requiring a hospital stay. With that said, we still say theme park rides are incredibly safe!
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