Man rushed to hospital after rollercoaster flew off its tracks
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Featured Image Credit: geograph.co.uk/@rhodrimason1/Twitter
A witness has described the ‘horrific’ scenes at a Welsh theme park after a man was seriously injured when a rollercoaster came off the tracks.
The man was airlifted from Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire yesterday by Wales Air Ambulance, whilst the park was closed down ‘with immediate effect’ and the public were evacuated.
The Welsh Ambulance Service attended the scene of the crash with an air ambulance during the early afternoon on Sunday.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has now been launched by the Welsh Health and Safety Executive.
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Witnesses have described how people were stuck screaming on the rollercoaster after the crash, although it is believed only one person was injured.
A man who witnessed the events told MailOnline that he had tried to board the rollercoaster before it set off, but was told that it was having engineering work performed.
10 minutes later, he returned to discover that it had come off the tracks.
He said: “Less than a minute into the ride I heard horrific screams and noticed the back end of the coaster slipping and sliding off the track and a girl crying in severe distress and what appeared to be the bar raised.
“We had to evacuate the ride on a bend and staff were present to help people off.
Very sad to see the air ambulance arriving at Oakwood Theme Park today. Really hoping that everyone involved is OK and makes a fully recovery pic.twitter.com/eu7KER5vKa
— Rhodri Mason (@RhodriMason1) October 23, 2022
“I saw a mobile phone and a flip flop on the grass and realised someone must have come off the ride. A group of girls were in shock and I asked them if they were ok which clearly they weren't.
“When I went to retrieve my bag I saw a gentleman lying face down with a member of staff and a paramedic. He wasn't moving but staff later told me he was conscious and talking.”
Speaking to BBC Wales, another bystander described the incident as ‘serious’.
She told the reporter that the incident had taken place on the park’s Treetops ride, although this has not been officially confirmed.
The park itself opened up in the 1980s, with the Treetop coaster having been in place at the site for around 30 years, according to their official website.
The attraction is described as a ‘family ride’ that offers a ‘a magical adventure through the woodlands surrounding the park.’
The website continues: “Set high up in the treetops, you'll twist, bend, and drop through the tree canopy.
“As one of our most popular rollercoasters, this ride has been thrilling generations of families for nearly 30 years.”
UNILAD has contacted Oakwood Theme Park and the Wales Air Ambulance for a comment.
The investigation into the incident will be performed by the Health and Safety Executive with assistance from Dyfed-Powys Police.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
