Woman and child injured in rollercoaster accident at funfair

A woman and child were injured and needed hospital treatment after a Gold Mine-themed rollercoaster cart crashed at a funfair and plummeted to the ground.

Terri Murray, 39, was at Knightly's Funfair in Towyn, Conwy in Wales on Saturday afternoon with her niece and nephew when the incident took place. Ms Murray and her 10-year-old nephew went on the Gold Mine Express, a family rollercoaster ride. But while they were on the ride she described hearing a 'sudden bang' and their carriage came off the tracks, falling around six feet to the floor. She said she struck her head on the metal frame and also the floor, after pulling her nephew in close to protect him. An ambulance was called and the pair were taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital where they stayed overnight for treatment.

Ms Murray, from Birkenhead on the Wirral, said: '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. '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.

'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. 'We both had to stay in hospital.'

Ms Murray says she suffered multiple injuries and medics glued a wound to the side of her head closed. She added: 'My right eye has closed over. I'm in so much pain. '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 the funfair had been in touch with her following the incident to check on her welfare, but has been unable to talk properly with them as she was still struggling to concentrate. The rollercoaster cart came off the track and fell around six feet to the ground. Ms Murray suffered multiple injuries and medics glued a wound to the side of her head closed.

She added: '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. 'We are though very proud with how the children dealt with this situation.'

A HSE spokesperson said: 'We have been notified and are making initial enquiries.' Knightly's have been contacted for comment.