In a tragic incident at the Grona Lund amusement park in Stockholm, Sweden, one person was killed and nine others, including children, were injured in a roller coaster accident that saw the roller coaster fly off the tracks and crashed on the ground with people inside, according to a report by Reuters.
The accident occurred during a ride on the park’s Jetline roller coaster when it partially derailed, causing people to be thrown to the ground.
Eyewitnesses present at Grona Lund during the accident provided harrowing accounts of the incident. Jenny Lagerstedt, a journalist visiting the park with her family, described hearing a metallic noise and feeling the track structure shake just before the accident occurred.
Her husband witnessed a roller coaster car, with people inside, falling to the ground. Lagerstedt expressed how frightened her children were by the incident, reflecting the shock and panic that ensued among the park visitors.
Jan Eriksson, the chief executive of Grona Lund, expressed deep sadness during a press conference held shortly after the accident.
He confirmed the fatality and informed the public that nine individuals had sustained injuries, three of them severe.
Eriksson emphasized that such an incident should never happen at Grona Lund and announced the park’s closure for at least a week to facilitate the ongoing police investigation.
Following the accident, emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene. Ambulances, fire trucks, and a helicopter were deployed to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
The injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The police initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and ensure the safety of future park visitors.
Grona Lund, a popular amusement park situated on Stockholm’s waterfront, has been a beloved attraction for over 140 years. The park offers various rides, including the Jetline roller coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 90 km/h and a height of 30 meters.
With an annual visitor count exceeding one million, Grona Lund has contributed significantly to the local tourism industry.
In Sweden, one person was killed and nine others were injured due to an accident on a roller coaster.#Sweden #News pic.twitter.com/5G9T6NVg0f
— Sasha White (@rusashanews) June 25, 2023
Images source: Sasha White on Twitter