Lightwater Valley rollercoaster accident: Boy who fell from ride fighting for life, officials say

Hospital doctors later found child had injuries not obvious at scene, police say

A seven-year-old boy who fell from a rollercoaster at a Yorkshire theme park is fighting for life in hospital, police say.

The child was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with head injuries after plunging about 15ft from the Twister ride at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, on Thursday morning.

North Yorkshire Police initially said the boy’s injuries were not thought to be life threatening, but doctors later found injuries that would not have been obvious at the scene.

He was said to be in a critical but stable condition on Friday.

A police spokesperson said: “On arrival at hospital, the child was assessed and found to have injuries that would not have been apparent at the scene of the incident.

“The child remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.”

The force also clarified that the boy is seven years old and not six, as previously stated.

Lightwater Valley said it was “devastated” by the news of the boy’s condition.

The sign outside Lightwater Valley theme park in North Yorkshire, as a child has been airlifted to hospital after falling from the Twister rollercoaster. (PA)

The theme park said in a statement: “We have been informed by police that the medical condition of the child involved in the incident at the park yesterday is now described as critical.

“We are devastated by this news and our thoughts are with the family.

“While the Health and Safety Executive investigation is continuing, we will support them and be guided by their advice.”

Witnesses described how the boy fell about 12-15 feet, leaving his hysterical mother stuck in the car on the ride above.

Mark Charnley, who was queuing for the Twister with his 10-year-old daughter, said he looked up to see the boy “hanging backwards outside of the actual carriage” before he plunged to the ground.

Members of the public and park staff ran to his aid before paramedics and an air ambulance arrived.

Durham University student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the park’s Treetop Twister ride in 2001.

Paris-based Reverchon Industries SA, which manufactured and supplied the ride, was later found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of two charges of failing to ensure its safe design and construction, and failing to give information necessary to ensure the ride was safe when open to the public.