Rollercoaster teen ‘lucky to be alive’

A teenager injured when a theme park rollercoaster crashed 20ft off its tracks has said she thought she was going to die.

Katie McArdle was among 10 people taken to hospital after the Tsunami ride derailed and hit the ground at M&D’s amusement park at Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, on Sunday afternoon.

Three children are said to be in a serious condition in Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children while four other youngsters and one adult are stable in Wishaw General Hospital.

Student Ms McArdle said on Facebook she was discharged with a reported broken wrist while her boyfriend has a dislocated his knee.

In her post, the college student said: “I have never been so scared in my entire life. Honestly thought I was going to die, sitting in that carriage upside down with everyone screaming.

“Turning round and not seeing William beside me was the worst... There is definitely someone watching over us both. We are both still in shock and have a few injuries but just so lucky to be alive.”

Chief Inspector David Bruce said the Tsunami carriages fell about 20ft to the ground and police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the case.