10 injured after Scotland rollercoaster derails

Eight children and two adults have been taken to hospital after a rollercoaster derailed at a theme park in Scotland.

Eyewitnesses said that the Tsunami ride at M&D’s amusement park in Motherwell, near Glasgow, had been full when it came off the track.

Police, firefighters, and paramedics rushed to the scene as several visitors posted images on social media appearing to show a mangled carriage on a pathway, surrounded by dozens of people.

Police Scotland originally said 11 people had been hurt but later revised it to 10.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Chief Inspector David Bruce said: “Along with other emergency services we attended immediately and on arrival it became clear that a series of five gondolas connected on a train on the Tsunami ride have detached from the rails, struck the superstructure and then struck the ground.

“We have launched an investigation and an inquiry between Police Scotland and the HSE.”

In one image, taken by Dean Borris, people can be seen trapped upside down in their seats on the carriage, with their legs protruding into the air.

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.”

She posted an image of one of the rollercoaster wheels on the pavement.

Witness James Millerick, who was queuing for another rollercoaster at the theme park, said he heard “shrieks” from customers.

“When we got there the rollercoaster had come off the track entirely — straight through the gated fence at the side of the rollercoaster and was upside down on the concrete path at the side,” he told Sky News.

“There were maybe seven or eight individuals, mostly of younger age between maybe 10 and 15 years old that were actually trapped inside the rollercoaster lying on the ground.”