Updates from the scene of a major accident involving a roller coaster at Strathclyde Country Park.
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A rollercoaster derailed at M&D’s theme park in Motherwell, injuring ten people.
Emergency crews were called to theme park at 3.37pm after five gondolas from the Tsunami ride came off the tracks and plunged 20ft to the ground.
Of the ten injured, eight are children - the extent of their injuries are not yet known.
Health and safety probe launched
Police confirmed a health and safety probe has been launched into the roller coaster accident at M&D’s.
Officers confirmed that five gonalas from the rollercoaster became “detached from their securings” and fell under 20ft, striking the ground below.
According to M&D’s website, the Tsunami rollercoaster can go at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
Chief inspector David Bruce said: “A joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive is now under way.”
Update: Eight kids and two adults injured
Police have corrected earlier reports that 11 people were injured following the accident at M&D’s theme park - saying the actual figure is ten.
While initial police reports said nine children were injured in the incident, they have now said the actual number of youngsters hurt is eight.
The extent of their injuries is still not known.
Footage of accident aftermath
Footage shows the aftermath of the M&D’s rollercoaster crash which left 11 people, including nine children, injured.
Shocked theme park-goers can be seen rushing to the scene, with cries of ‘oh my god’ and “there are people stuck under there” heard from horrified onlookers.
Park security can also be heard telling the public to “step back” and “give them some space”.
Local MSP will 'keep constituents as updated as possible'
The Uddingston and Bellshill MSP says he is at M&D’s awaiting a briefing about the incident.
Richard Lyle MSP, whose constituency includes Strathclyde Country Park where the theme park is situated, called for a “full investigation” into the incident.
Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to accident victims
The First Minister says her thoughts are with everyone affected by the “terrible incident”.
Hero dads desperately tried to free trapped youngsters
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 ...”
Nine kids and two adults injured
Police have told the Record that nine kids and two adults have been injured in the incident.
The extent of their injuries are not yet known.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Emergency services are at the scene dealing with the incident at M&Ds theme park.
“At this time we are aware of 11 casualties - two adults and nine children, who are all being treated at local hospitals.
“We are unable to give more detail of their injuries at this stage.”
Eyewtiness: Torrential downpour just before the accident
GORDON CONNER, 44, was there with is son Kieran, 14, who witnessed the immediate aftermath
Gordon said:”He told me he saw the carriage on the ground from a distance and he said he thought it had come down on a kiddies’ ride.
“If that happened then it must have been horrendous.
Gordon said:”He told me he saw the carriage on the ground from a distance and he said he thought it had come down on a kiddies’ ride.
“If that happened then it must have been horrendous.
“He’s still very shaken up by what he saw.
“The place was absolutely mobbed.
“Just before it happened there was torrential rain and a lot of people had run inside.
“The rain was really hammering down and it was only when it stopped that people began moving outside again.
“I was still inside when I heard what had happened.
“So this must have happened a short time after the downpour.”
Mr Conner was there with Kieran and wife Barbera Ann celebrating his birthday with a family day out.
Mr Conner was there with Kieran and wife Barbera Ann celebrating his birthday with a family day out.
He added:”I just hope it us not as bad as it has been described to me.
“If it happened where I’ve been told then it must have fallen more than 20 feet which is horrific.”
“If it happened where I’ve been told then it must have fallen more than 20 feet which is horrific.”
Daily Record journalist Euan McLean witnessed the accident
Daily Record sports journalist Euan McLean witnessed the accident while standing in the queue with his daughter Macy, nine.
The pair had been on the Tsunami ride three times already.
Euan said:”it was terrible to see.
“I’m still really shaken up by it.
“There are two carriages which each hold 10 people.
“The first one set off and appeared to be working normally.
“But the brakes seemed to come on, then it was as if the brakes released and it was almost like this carriages began almost coasting back to
where it started.
“The second carriage set off. There must have been eight or ten people on board.
“It is one of these rides where your legs dangle from the seat.
“It appeared to be operating normally until it got to about 20 or 30 feet off the ground.
“It seemed to when it got high up the level of the carriage dropped, the actual rail seemed to come up and it was as if the frame of the carriage snapped.
“The carriage with people in it then just flew off the rails from a height of 20 to 30 feet.
“There was lots if screaming because it looked really bad.
“My first thought was for my daughter to get get away from there and
that’s what I did.
“I really hope it is not as bad as it looked”.
The pair had been on the Tsunami ride three times already.
Euan said:”it was terrible to see.
“I’m still really shaken up by it.
“There are two carriages which each hold 10 people.
“The first one set off and appeared to be working normally.
“But the brakes seemed to come on, then it was as if the brakes released and it was almost like this carriages began almost coasting back to
where it started.
“The second carriage set off. There must have been eight or ten people on board.
“It is one of these rides where your legs dangle from the seat.
“It appeared to be operating normally until it got to about 20 or 30 feet off the ground.
“It seemed to when it got high up the level of the carriage dropped, the actual rail seemed to come up and it was as if the frame of the carriage snapped.
“The carriage with people in it then just flew off the rails from a height of 20 to 30 feet.
“There was lots if screaming because it looked really bad.
“My first thought was for my daughter to get get away from there and
that’s what I did.
“I really hope it is not as bad as it looked”.
Ruth Davidson says M&Ds accident 'deeply concerning'
The Scottish Conservative leader tweeted about the incident, saying her thoughts are with those affected as we wait to find out details of those injured.
Eyewitness: "A group of dads were trying to tip the rollercoster carriage over to get access to the kids who were trapped inside but the thing was solid."
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.
“I knew the ride was full with ten people because I was going to go on it myself just minutes earlier and decided against it because of the queue.
“It was difficult to see anyone under the wreckage though and everyone around just seemed like they couldn’t quite take it what they were seeing.
“The place was eerily silent as everyone was in total shock. A group of dads were trying to tip the rollercoster carriage over to get access to the kids who were trapped inside but the thing was solid.
“When the reality of the situation struck everyone, there were kids in floods of tears and adults desperately trying to find their loved ones amid the chaos, with hundreds of people either trying to make their way to the exits or to offer their help at the scene.
“It was probably only a couple of minutes before the sirens of the fire engines and ambulances could be heard, but it felt like a lifetime.”
He added: “The entire place was shut down immediately as everyone was ushered towards the exits but there were people desperate to help the emergency services get the kids free, and those who were just too shocked top move on.”
Statement from M&Ds
A spokesperson for M&D’s said: “A serious incident occurred at M&D’s today involving the Tsunami rollercoaster.
“We have all emergency services on site to assist. The theme park is closed until further notice.”
One eyewitness tells reporters the park's other rollercoaster was closed earlier today
A Glasgow gran, who asked not to be named, said: “I was on the other rollercoster earlier in the day when it was pretty wet and immediately after I came off, they shut it down. But the Tsunami kept going and got busier and busier as the day went on.
“With the speed that thing travels at, it’ll be a miracle if no one was seriously hurt, or worse.
“The fact that it landed on those wee toddlers’ cars is enough to make you feel sick inside. I can only pray that those were empty at the time because of the terrible weather.”
She added: “People were in tears outside M&Ds, they had come to enjoy a family day out at the funfair, at the start of the summer holidays, and it ended in tragedy.”
From Record Reporter Keith McLeod at the scene
Police closed the approach road to M&D’s at both the nort west side
and the south east.
A police helicopter hovered above the scene to help with rescue
efforts on the ground.
Worried mum Kathleen McCardle was desperately trying to get
information about her daughter, Katie, 19.
She said:”I only found out about this minutes ago and came right here.
“I don’t know if she was on the ride, near the ride it whatever.
“I’ve been told she may have a leg injury, but that’s all I know.
“I’m waiting to be allowed on to see her hopefully.”
Katie was in the park with her boyfriend William Murray, also 19.
Mrs McCardle added:”I’m just hoping to hear from her as soon as possible.”
Police set up a cordon at a roundabout on the road which cuts straight
across Strathclyde Park.
Some relatives initially gathered there waiting for news.
One woman was openly crying sitting on a boulder close to the road.
She was too upset to talk and was being comforted by a relative.
A young mum and dad were at the park with their son of four.
Kevin Swanson said had it not been raining they may have been right
next to the ride.
He said:”we stayed indoors because if the rain.
“We heard a lot of screaming and shouting.
“I thought at first that a child had gone missing it something, but we
then realised a carriage had come off the ride.”
Mr Swanson was there with partner Isobel and their son Lucas.
He added:”The emergency services were here and I must admit it looked
very serious.
“There was a lot if screaming and shouting, U think from people who
witnessed the incident and then from people who were worried about
friends or relatives that they thought had been in the ride.
“There was one group of teenagers who were constantly calling out for
their friend.”
and the south east.
A police helicopter hovered above the scene to help with rescue
efforts on the ground.
Worried mum Kathleen McCardle was desperately trying to get
information about her daughter, Katie, 19.
She said:”I only found out about this minutes ago and came right here.
“I don’t know if she was on the ride, near the ride it whatever.
“I’ve been told she may have a leg injury, but that’s all I know.
“I’m waiting to be allowed on to see her hopefully.”
Katie was in the park with her boyfriend William Murray, also 19.
Mrs McCardle added:”I’m just hoping to hear from her as soon as possible.”
Police set up a cordon at a roundabout on the road which cuts straight
across Strathclyde Park.
Some relatives initially gathered there waiting for news.
One woman was openly crying sitting on a boulder close to the road.
She was too upset to talk and was being comforted by a relative.
A young mum and dad were at the park with their son of four.
Kevin Swanson said had it not been raining they may have been right
next to the ride.
He said:”we stayed indoors because if the rain.
“We heard a lot of screaming and shouting.
“I thought at first that a child had gone missing it something, but we
then realised a carriage had come off the ride.”
Mr Swanson was there with partner Isobel and their son Lucas.
He added:”The emergency services were here and I must admit it looked
very serious.
“There was a lot if screaming and shouting, U think from people who
witnessed the incident and then from people who were worried about
friends or relatives that they thought had been in the ride.
“There was one group of teenagers who were constantly calling out for
their friend.”
More tweets who narrowly missed being hurt
Morgan McVicar tweeted: “Can’t believe there’s been an accident at M&Ds, just after brogan and my dad got off the ride.Hopefully everyone involved is safe!!”
Kelsey Toner also tweeted about the accident and told her followers: “My little sisters are just back from M&Ds and they seen a roller coaster full of kids come right off the rails and land on another one.”
Another photo from the scene
Dad: "I’ve got my daughter back home safe, but there are other families that will be less fortunate."
Eleven-year-old Tegan Low avoided the catastrophe by seconds.The Blantyre girl was on carriage the Tsunami rollercoaster just before the disaster - and was one carriage away from adding her name to the list of casualties.
The shocked girl told Record Online: “It just collapsed - all you saw was it fall.”
“All these people were trapped under it. It landed on these motorbikes for toddlers, I don’t know if there were any on them at the time.
”All these people were crying, it was awful.”
Her shocked dad Keith Low, 43, admitted he was still coming to terms with the near miss.”I don’t know how to feel to be honest,”
He added: “I feel for the other people who were on it. I’ve got my daughter back home safe, but there are other families that will be less fortunate.”
"I've never been so scared in my life.....it’s like something out a horror film"
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.
“Honestly never been so scared in my life, with this weather they should not be on, “
Kids and adults are still on it upside down, it’s like something out a horror film, children crying and everything.
“Literally can’t believe this, my heart goes out to everyone on it, a full load came off the track but and on the pavement, like a horror film worse thing ever heard and seen, can’t get over this.”
Video: Aftermath of incident
Footage shows shocked park-goers rushing to the scene of the incident, where two Tsunami ride cars are believed to have derailed and fallen on top of a children’s ride.
Some background information
Tsunami is Scotland’s only inverted rollercoaster. It reaches speeds of up to 40 miles-per-hour, barrelling through corkscrew twists and loops. Children under 10 are restricted from riding the Tsunami, and a minimum height restriction of 1.4m applies.
In 2011, nine people were rescued from the same ride after being trapped for eighthours.They were stranded 60 feet from the ground, with one rider describing the experience as a “nightmare.”
In 2011, nine people were rescued from the same ride after being trapped for eighthours.They were stranded 60 feet from the ground, with one rider describing the experience as a “nightmare.”
Six ambulances and six fire engines
Emergency crews were called to M&Ds at 3.37pm.
Six ambulances and six fire engines are in attendance.
Further info from police - "approximately seven hurt"
Police, fire and ambulance officers are working at the scene in Strathclyde Country Park.
“We can confirm we are currently working with other emergency services to ascertain the full extent of the situation,” a Police Scotland statement said.
“We can confirm there are injured parties - approximately seven people.”
Police statement: Ongoing incident
“Emergency services are responding to an ongoing incident at M&Ds theme park in Motherwell and further updates will be given in due course.”
Photo of wheel
Image showing child trapped in ride
A photo from the scene appears to show a child being rescued from one of the ride cars.
The Tsunami rollercoaster carriage plummeted to the ground and landed on top of a child’s car ride
Photos from the scene
"Miracle if there are no fatalities"
The Tsunami rollercoaster carriage plummeted to the ground and landed on top of a child’s car ride, leaving casualties trapped in the wreckage.
Around two dozen park visitors struggled to right the carriage which ended up upside down and leaving riders trapped.The scene has been described as “carnage” by a shocked eye-witness.
Paisley Daily Express reporter Gavin McNally was at M&D’s and says it will be a miracle if there are no fatalities.
The Tsunami carriage was packed full - with ten people thought to be on board - as it flew off the rails on a corner and plummeted to the ground.
Gavin, who was at the park with his children, said: “It’s carnage.”
The Tsumani plunged off the rails at a corner.
“There was definitely people on it, it was full - about 10 people.”
“Two dozen guys ran to help firefighters to get the carriage upright after it fell kids’ cars below - the type you put a few pounds in for a shot.”
It will be a miracle if there are no fatalities.”
The park has now been evacuated by emergency services.
Unconfirmed report of 'kids hurt'
Ride 'crashed the ground'
Unconfirmed reports of 'many hurt'
Really bad accident at M.& D's the tsunami rollercoaster has come flying off the rails and landed in the park, lots of people hurt.@SkyNews— LORDY-MCFC® (@ianlord76) June 26, 2016
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