Child ‘falls off Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley theme park’

A boy was airlifted to hospital today after allegedly falling up to 30ft off a rollercoaster at a theme park during the half-term holidays.

The child was seriously injured at Lightwater Valley theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire, and taken to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance. 

Simon Moran, a father visiting the park today, tweeted: ‘Just saw a kid fall off the Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley. Ride shut down. Ambulance called.’

It comes 18 years after Durham University student Gemma Savage, 20, died when two cars collided on the same Twister ride, which was then called Treetop Twister. 

The child was seriously injured today at Lightwater Valley in North Stainley, North Yorkshire

Paramedics attend to the boy who allegedly fell from the roller coaster at Lightwater Valley

Paramedics attend to the boy who allegedly fell from the roller coaster at Lightwater Valley

The boy was injured but airlifted to a nearby hospital in a non life-threatening condition

The boy was injured but airlifted to a nearby hospital in a non life-threatening condition

Police attended the theme park in North Yorkshire at around 11.30am this morning

Police attended the theme park in North Yorkshire at around 11.30am this morning

Photographer Mr Moran, who works as a senior manager in content development for Getty Images, added: ‘He mustn’t have been strapped in right, or too small for ride. 

‘As it went down the fast bit towards the ‘souvenir’ camera, he slid out and over top of carriage. Fell face down about 20 to 30 feet to ground. ‘

In June 2001, student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the Twister ride

In June 2001, student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the Twister ride

Mr Moran posted a series of pictures of visitors at the park, which has more than 35 rides, watching as paramedics arrived in an air ambulance.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called to reports of a medical incident involving a child at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon at 11.30am today.

‘The child, a six-year-old boy, who was conscious when officers arrived at the scene, has been taken to hospital. 

‘His condition is not believed to be life threatening. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified. Officers remain at the scene.’

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance added: ‘I can confirm that we attended and transported a child to Leeds General Infirmary’.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed they attended the incident, while the Health and Safety Executive said it was aware of what had happened.

In June 2001, Durham University student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the same Twister ride, which was then called Treetop Twister. 

Paramedics arrived at the theme park in North Yorkshire in an air ambulance today

Paramedics arrived at the theme park in North Yorkshire in an air ambulance today

Simon Moran, a father visiting the park today, tweeted a series of pictures of the scene

Simon Moran, a father visiting the park today, tweeted a series of pictures of the scene

Paramedics attend to a boy who allegedly fell from the rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley today

Paramedics attend to a boy who allegedly fell from the rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley today

Visitors watch on as an air ambulance arrives at Lightwater Valley theme park today

Visitors watch on as an air ambulance arrives at Lightwater Valley theme park today

Five years later, French firm Reverchon Industries SA was found guilty of breaches of health and safety law after the death of the 20-year-old student.

It was convicted of failing to ensure safe design and construction, and failing to give information necessary to ensure the ride was safe when open to the public.

Leeds Crown Court heard in 2006 that a wiring fault, which should have been found during the quality control testing process, meant the control system was not safe. 

A decade later at the park in July 2016, carer Paul Marshall saved a man in his 50s with learning difficulties from falling 85ft from the Black Pearl pirate ship ride.

He grabbed hold of the unnamed man’s wrists to stop him falling after a safety bar on his seat appeared to open as the ship ride tipped at its highest point.

Mr Moran tweeted: 'Just saw a kid fall off the Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley'

Mr Moran tweeted: ‘Just saw a kid fall off the Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley’

The Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley theme park is pictured in this file photograph

The Twister rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley theme park is pictured in this file photograph

The park, opened in 1969, bills itself as the ‘ultimate family adventure’ on its website.

‘With over 35 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages, Lightwater Valley is bursting with young, family fun and thrill adventures for the whole family,’ it says.

A section describing the rides and attractions adds: ‘Spin through the air in the grip of the Eagle’s Claw, hurtle through deep, dark forests aboard Europe’s longest roller coaster The Ultimate and venture into the underground world of Raptor Attack.

‘See the park from a whole different viewpoint aboard Black Pearl and then hop on Apollo and take a spinning ride above the tree tops.’

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