Rollercoaster In 130-Year-Old Sweden Amusement Park Derails & Crashes
At about 11.39am on Sunday (25 June), a fatal rollercoaster accident occurred at Sweden’s Grona Lund theme park, sending victims crashing to the ground.
At least one died, and nine others sustained injuries.
The theme park has apologised for the tragedy, and investigations are ongoing.
Sweden rollercoaster derails mid-air, causing ‘loud metallic thud’
According to SVT, a carriage of the Jetline rollercoaster at the park in Stockholm suddenly derailed before crashing to the ground.
On their website, Grona Lund theme park noted that the ride reaches a height of 30m and speeds of 90km/h.
According to an SVT reporter who was queueing at another ride when the accident occurred, the accident caused a “loud metallic thud”.
Other rides in the park reportedly started shaking after the accident.
One rider died, while nine others sustained injuries.
Source: SVT
Among the wounded were three children who suffered minor injuries, and one seriously injured adult.
Rescue services told SVT several people were also stuck in other carriages on the rollercoaster and had to be extracted.
Source: TT news Agency via Reuters
Staff members immediately evacuated the park after the accident.
A large number of police and rescue service units, including an ambulance helicopter, were later dispatched to the amusement park.
Amusement park & police investigating accident
Grona Lund theme park released a statement on its Instagram page after the fatal accident.
The management said the accident was “not allowed to happen” and expressed their condolences to those affected and their relatives.
Source: @AiNewsRep on Twitter
The 130-year-old theme park also confirmed that the front part of the rollercoaster derailed, causing the train to stop in the middle of the track between six to eight metres above ground.
14 people were on board when the accident happened.
They added that they were closing the theme park for at least one week to support their staff and would reach out to affected families to extend their support.
A technical investigation is underway, and the management said they would assist the police in their investigations.
Grona Lund theme park reassured that they would address questions and update the public once they have more information.
Source: TT news Agency via Reuters
They additionally noted,
We know many of you are sharing this great sadness, our thoughts are first and foremost with those affected, their families and all our guests and staff. The grief is extremely heavy.
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Featured image adapted from SVT and @AiNewsRep on Twitter.
