A witness heard ‘horrific’ screams at a theme park after a rollercoaster veered off its rails, leaving a man gravely injured.
Yesterday, the man was brought to the hospital following a’serious’ medical emergency caused by the accident at Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, south Wales.
The park was swiftly evacuated and closed to the public “immediately,” according to a statement from the park’s spokeswoman.
Early in the afternoon, the Welsh Ambulance Service and an air ambulance went to the area. The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting an investigation into the 30-year-old ride.
People stuck in the roller coaster cried for rescue as witnesses described the aftermath of the catastrophic crash.
After the incident, a witness reported seeing passengers in astonishment and a man lying face down on the ground.
The air ambulance arrived immediately following a’serious’ medical emergency in the park.
The thirty-year-old treetops rollercoaster offers “a magnificent journey through the park’s surrounding trees.”
One man at the amusement park reported that he attempted to ride the ride immediately before the disaster, but was informed that it was undergoing maintenance.
When he returned 10 minutes later, he saw that the rollercoaster had left its tracks.
He told The Mirror, “Less than a minute into the ride, I heard horrifying screams and saw the back end of the roller coaster slipping and sliding off the track, a girl weeping in extreme discomfort, and what appeared to be a raised bar.”
The ride had to be evacuated due to a sharp turn, and personnel was on hand to assist guests. The presence of a cell phone and a pair of flip-flops on the grass led me to conclude that someone had fallen off the ride.
‘A bunch of girls were in shock, so I asked them if they were alright, which was evidently not the case.
“When I went to grab my stuff, I observed a man lying face down with a staff member and an emergency medical technician.” The personnel afterwards informed me that he was conscious and talking despite his immobility.’
Following the disaster, the Pembrokeshire, South Wales amusement park was evacuated.
Today’s arrival of the air ambulance at Oakwood Theme Park was really upsetting. Really hoping that everyone involved is okay and recovers completely. twitter.com/eu7KER5vKa
— Rhodri Mason (@RhodriMason1) October 23, 2022
According to a woman who talked to BBC Wales, the incident was “severe.”
She told the broadcaster that her family was on the Treetops ride when the incident occurred. The park has not yet confirmed this.
A video released on Twitter by Rhodri Mason purports to show the arrival of a Welsh Air Ambulance chopper.
According to its website, the modest family park debuted in the late 1980s, and the Treetops rollercoaster has been operating for about 30 years.
The “family ride” offers a “magical journey through the park’s neighboring woodlands.”
Set among the treetops, you will twist, bend, and descend through the tree canopy.
This ride, one of our most popular roller coasters, has been delighting families for nearly three decades.
The Health and Safety Executive acknowledged it is conducting an investigation and that it is collaborating with Dyfed Powys Police.
The Oakwood Theme Park has been reached out to for comment.