I was struck by collapsing metal fence at UK beach amusement park – all I could hear was children screaming
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A MUM says she was hit by a collapsing metal fence while enjoying a day out at an amusement park with her two young children.
Single mum Megan Cavanagh had taken her kids to the Coney Beach funfair in Porthcawl, Wales, on Wednesday but it ended in a terrifying ordeal.
5
Megan Cavanagh, 24, claims the fence fell straight on top of her
Credit: WalesOnline/Media Wales
5
Pictures show adults helping children off the ride after it 'derailed'
Credit: Wales News Service
5
13 children and one adult sustained minor injuries in the accident
Credit: Wales News Service
The single mother had arrived at the seaside funfair around 5pm on August 13, hoping to enjoy the rides and attractions with her young children and some family friends.
However, not long into their visit Megan had to step away from the park after her young autistic daughter became unsettled by the loud noises.
After a brief time away she re-joined her group near the Wacky Worm ride – a rollercoaster described as "the perfect first thrill ride for the kids".
"I was just minding my own business," Megan said.
'I was standing with my back to the ride, talking to my friends, when it happened. It was all so sudden.
'We just heard this massive bang and children started screaming.'
According to Megan the metal fence separating the ride from spectators collapsed unexpectedly – falling on top of her.
'The fence fell straight on top of me, hitting my back,' she said.
'I managed to push my friend's pram out of the way, which was right next to me.
"I pushed the fence off myself and when I looked up all I could see were kids on the ride screaming.'
Terrifying moment Scots carnival ride 'flies off track' with kids inside
Megan added: "Parents were jumping on trying to get their kids off – it was awful.
"I'm just grateful I took my daughter away earlier because otherwise we would have been on that ride too.'
Megan said she was checked by staff and advised to attend hospital if the pain continued but chose to return home, citing a lack of childcare and describing the pain at the time as 'just aches'.
South Wales Police later confirmed that 13 children and one adult sustained minor injuries, with some sent to hospital for further treatment.
Megan added: 'I'm planning to go to the doctor. I struggled to sleep last night from the pain so I am going to see how I feel.
'None of this is what you'd expect from what is supposed to be a family trip out.'
In a statement, Coney Beach Pleasure Park said previously it was instructed by police to clear the site after an incident on a "third-party ride" not owned by the park.
It apologised for the disruption and said it will provide refunds to affected customers as soon as possible.
A statement added: "Due to an incident on a third-party ride not owned by Coney Beach, we were instructed by the police to clear the site for further investigation.
"We apologise for the disruption and will be providing refunds to affected guests as soon as possible. We will be releasing instructions on refunds shortly.
"We thank you for your cooperation."
The Sun Online has contacted the amusement park for an update.
5
One of the cars on the ride appeared to be suspended in the air, off the tracks
Credit: Media Wales
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Kevin Bridges spotted attending Oasis reunion gig in Dublin
The Clydebank funnyman shared several snaps of himself and his wife Kerry at the Oasis Live '25 concert in Dublin on Saturday. (Image: Kevin Bridges/Instagram) The 38-year-old donned a trendy bucket hat in the snaps, which he shared with his 700,000 Instagram followers. The first story was captioned: 'Saturday night in Dublin's fair citeh' and another read, 'Hampden class of 2005. The uninvited guests that stay until the end.' READ NEXT: Popular Chinese takeaway closes doors after 12 years (Image: Kevin Bridges/Instagram) The Scots comic was attending the first of two sold-out Oasis shows in Dublin. The second performance is set to take place on Sunday. The concert is part of a 41-date world tour. Noel and Liam Gallagher recently took to the stage in Scotland after getting back together and going on tour for the first time since Oasis disbanded in 2009. The Mancunian rockers will head to Canada after their shows in Dublin.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Line of Duty star leaves staff at Scots amusement park 'star-struck'
Daniel Mays, who starred in the BBC thriller as Danny Waldron in the third series, stopped by at Codona's in Aberdeen. A Line of Duty star left staff at a Scots amusement park 'star-struck' after paying a visit to a popular beach spot. Daniel Mays, who starred in the BBC thriller as Danny Waldron in the third series, stopped by at Codona's in Aberdeen earlier this week, posing for photos with one delighted worker. Park bosses shared an images of the actor with Beverley Anderson, who had been working on the day of his visit. Daniel, who also starred in Des and Atonement, was described as "incredibly talented" in the post on social media, writes Aberdeen Live. They wrote on Facebook: "Our Bev was a little star struck when she bumped into the incredibly talented actor Daniel Mays in our Amusement Park! "Thanks for stopping by, Daniel!" The Thursday Murder Club star paid a a visit to the north-east just days after fellow actor and comedian Will Ferrell was pictured with staff at Braemar Castle. The Anchorman and Elf star posed with family and friends outside the Aberdeenshire attraction after also being seen visiting Glasgow recently. When quizzed about his trip to Scotland, Ferrell appeared to be enjoying a holiday rather than visiting for any new film projects. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The Hollywood star's visit coincided with filming for a new Spiderman movie in Glasgow. Tom Holland has been in Glasgow, leaving fans rushing to catch a glimpse of the action.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
David Tennant loves role of sinister villain terrorising Hollywood's biggest names in new Netflix murder mystery
A bunch of golden oldies solve cold cases for fun until a death at their retirement village leaves them facing a real whodunnit. KILLING IT David Tennant loves role of sinister villain terrorising Hollywood's biggest names in new Netflix murder mystery Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DAVID TENNANT is killing it as a ruthless villain in his new murder mystery movie – while taking on some of the biggest names in showbiz. The Scots actor stars in Netflix film The Thursday Murder Club alongside The Queen icon Dame Helen Mirren, James Bond star Pierce Brosnan and Gandhi actor Sir Ben Kingsley. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 There's lots of huge names in the cast. Credit: Giles Keyte/Netflix 3 The movie is based on Richard Osman's book. Credit: Cr. Giles Keyte / Courtesy of Ne 3 David still tries to see the good qualities of his character. They play a bunch of golden oldies who solved cold cases for fun until the death of builder Tony Curran at their retirement village left them facing a real whodunnit. But cracking the case proves tough as David's character Ian Ventham, who owns the Coopers Chase complex, is determined to oust them so he can redevelop the site. The Doctor Who actor, of Bathgate, West Lothian, said of playing unscrupulous Ventham: 'He's got all the signs of success, but he's facing a big divorce settlement and he needs to make more money fast. 'He lacks empathy, diplomacy and charisma and he's self-interested to an alarming extent. 'Originally, Ventham was brought in by Tony Curran to develop the Coopers Chase retirement village. 'But after Curran's death, he intends to push ahead with a plan to displace the residents and redevelop the site.' Despite the fact 'sinister' Ventham has few redeeming qualities, David still tries to see the good in him. He said: 'He's not the most sympathetic character. You're always trying to see your character's point of view, so I don't particularly see him as a villain or as a ne'er do well. 'He's just someone who's got himself in a very particular situation and doesn't have the people skills to get through life with as much charm as one might hope he should have.' The movie plot is based on former Pointless presenter Richard Osman's bestselling novel, also The Thursday Murder Club, which was the UK's most successful book of the decade. Star of 'The Thursday Murder Club' looks unrecognisable on set Film director Chris Columbus, famed for Harry Potter, Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire, said he had a lifelong ambition to see David cast in one of his productions. He explained: 'David Tennant is simply one of our greatest living actors. I was a huge fan of his performances in shows like Broadchurch and Des, along with his theatre work in Macbeth. 'David's name was soon added to the list of actors I vowed to someday work with. I was thrilled when he agreed to play Ian Ventham in our film. 'He has the ability to portray a sinister villain like Ventham, a man with very few redeeming qualities, and make the audience believe that this person truly exists, that they are watching a real human being on screen.' Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth Best, the leader of the amateur sleuthing gang and an intelligent strategist who may have been a spy in a past life. Meanwhile, Pierce Brosnan is Ron Ritchie, a would-be comedian, militant and high-profile trade union activist dubbed 'Red Ron' by the Press, whose son is an ex-boxing champion. His best pal is psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif, played by Ben Kingsley. And former nurse Joyce Meadowcroft, a newcomer to Coopers Chase after being widowed, is portrayed by Celia Imrie. Helen said: 'I was one of the many millions who read the book and loved it. I couldn't put it down and was utterly charmed by it. 'And reading it, you do think 'This could be a movie'. 'I could tell immediately the character I would be most suitable for. My friends who read the book also said, 'If they ever make a movie, you have to play Elizabeth'. 'We can tell that she was someone powerful and substantial, but it's all a bit secret. Was she a high level politician? Was she a high level operative in MI5 or MI6? 'She never quite talks about it, but we get a sense. She's tough, she's smart and she's witnessed some heavy-duty things.' But Helen reveals the film also carries an important message. She added: 'It has these absolutely serious issues within it as well, the issues that you have to deal with the further you get into your life. 'The diminishing of your mind and body, and how to deal with that. The murder mystery is the foundation, but it's not the essence. 'The essence of the film are the characters and their humanity.' Pierce said Chris Columbus, who he worked with on 1993 Hollywood blockbuster Mrs Doubtfire, 'seems to come around every ten years or so with wonderful jobs' for him. 'Ron is a stout fellow of good character,' he added of his role. 'He doesn't particularly want to be at Coopers Chase, but there's a time in life when you just have to hang up your spurs.' Meanwhile, Celia beamed: 'The minute I got the part, I went whizzing down to the bookshop, buying all The Thursday Murder Club copies I could lay my hands on. I was trying to find little snippets of exactly what Joyce got up to. 'Every now and then in the book, I'd find marvellous little details about Joyce's love of particular television programmes, using her napkin at the lunch table because she thinks it makes her look clever or putting the chairs out at a meeting because she thinks people will like her better.' The Thursday Murder Club is the first of four novels, with a fifth set for release this autumn. So far, the series has sold more than 10million copies. Although the books have enjoyed far-reaching success, and been translated into 46 different languages, Richard didn't have to look far for inspiration. The entire concept is based on his mum Brenda, who he hopes can show other pensioners they still have plenty left in the tank. He said: 'My mum lives in a retirement village in the south of England. It's very beautiful, very bucolic and it looks like just the place where Agatha Christie would set a murder. 'And when I was talking to the people that live there — all over 75 — they've all done extraordinary things with their lives and have amazing stories. I thought, 'What if there was a murder here? I bet you these people could solve it'. 'That idea was what I was trying to tap into with The Thursday Murder Club — the notion that there is a generation who have done extraordinary things, have extraordinary skill sets and wisdom and they have become overlooked. 'They've become underestimated, almost invisible. And if you combine being invisible with being wise, then you have the perfect skill set for a detective.' The Thursday Murder Club will be released on Netflix on August 28 and in selected cinemas from August 22.
