A woman alleges that she and her nephew needed hospital care following a rollercoaster accident where their cart derailed. Terri Murray, 39, recounted being at Knightly’s Funfair in Towyn on Saturday afternoon with her niece and nephew when the incident occurred.
Terri and her 10 year old nephew were enjoying the Gold Mine Express, a family coaster ride, when she heard a “sudden bang” and their carriage derailed — plummeting approximately six feet to the ground. She recalls hitting her head on the metal frame and the floor, while attempting to shield her nephew as they fell.
The pair were left bruised and severely shaken, according to Terri. An ambulance was summoned and they were transported to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital for an overnight stay.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed they have been informed and are conducting preliminary investigations. Knightly’s has been approached for a statement.
Terri, hailing from Birkenhead on the Wirral, described what happened: “There was a loud bang, then it derailed. I headbutted a metal frame as the carriage came off the track and fell to tracks on the floor.
“I hit that and the floor,” reported North Wales Live.
“I pulled my nephew in close to my chest saving him as much as possible from getting hurt, he has a sore leg and is bruised and very shaken up, we both are.”
Terri continued her account of the terrifying funfair episode where her niece — despite having learning needs — acted heroically.
She said: “My niece was there also, she is 18 and has learning needs and witnessed all this. She struggles to look after herself but managed to help look after us, she told the ambulance crew I’m diabetic and what we are allergic to.”
Following the incident, both were hospitalised, with Terri sustaining “multiple injuries”, including one to her head that required it to be “glued”.
She continued: “My right eye has closed over. I’m in so much pain.”
Yet, amidst the roller coaster trauma, Terri expressed profound relief and gratitude. “But I’m grateful we’re alive and I’m so thankful my nephew wasn’t hurt anymore than he was, and he is alive. The emotional side is horrid [with] nightmares and more. I just want to say thanks to those who stopped to help,” she said.
Still struggling to concentrate post-accident, Terri shared her difficulty about communicating properly with the funfair representatives contacting her about her welfare.
With the scare fresh in her mind, she reflects: “It was so scary, all I keep thinking was thank God we’re alive because it could have been so different, we could have been badly hurt or life changing or worse, dead.”
Pride in their young relatives’ conduct during the crisis is evident as she added: “We are very proud with how the children dealt with this situation.”
A HSE spokesperson provided a brief statement regarding the incident, saying: “We have been notified and are making initial enquiries.”