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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was struck by collapsing metal fence at UK beach amusement park – all I could hear was children screaming
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) 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
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was struck by collapsing metal fence at UK beach amusement park – all I could hear was children screaming
Megan Cavanagh says she heard the screams from the children on the ride THEME PARK HORROR I was struck by collapsing metal fence at UK beach amusement park – all I could hear was children screaming 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 Advertisement 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". Advertisement "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. Advertisement '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.' Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 5 One of the cars on the ride appeared to be suspended in the air, off the tracks Credit: Media Wales
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Coney Beach issues new statement after fairground ride leaves 14 injured in Porthcawl
Coney Beach issues new statement after fairground ride leaves 14 injured in Porthcawl The seaside amusement park reopened to visitors on Friday HSE inspectors, and police were conducting investigation work at the site on Thursday (Image: John Myers) Coney Beach Porthcawl has issued a new statement following an incident on Wednesday evening that saw a children's rollercoaster ride de-rail from the tracks, injuring 14 people. Of those hurt, 13 were children, and seven were hospitalised for further treatment. Videos circulating on social media showed the rear carriage of the "Wacky Worm" ride, which is described as a small introductory ride aimed at children, hanging off the track with bystanders assisting injured passengers - some visibly bloodied and bruised - to safety. Emergency services including police, fire and ambulance were called to the scene, and Porthcawl's Coney Beach was initially evacuated, and then closed. The seaside amusement park has reopened to visitors on Friday, August 15, following the conclusion of crime scene investigation work by South Wales Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here A spokesperson for the park has since issued a statement stating that they are "shocked and upset". A spokesperson for Coney Beach said: "Coney Beach is unable to comment in any detail on the events of the 13th of August due to ongoing Investigations by the police and HSE. Article continues below "The management and staff of Coney Beach were both shocked and upset by the events of Wednesday evening when an accident occurred on a ride owned and operated by a third party. "This was clearly a terrifying incident for the passengers and families present and our thoughts are with the injured children and others that may have been affected. "Coney Beach wishes everyone a swift recovery as well as expressing great thanks to the emergency services who attended so promptly and professionally on this traumatic occasion." The attraction previously issued a statement to say the ride was not owned by the park itself, but by a third party. Shocked onlookers said they heard a 'loud bang' followed by 'screams' and the immediate sound of people shouting to 'get the kids off'. The park was then evacuated around 10 minutes later with emergency services arrived shortly after. Article continues below One dad told WalesOnline how he watched the Wacky Worm ride "completely lift off the rail" with his three children on board. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Coney Beach: Terrified parent describes horror as rollercoaster derails at theme park
Children were among the 14 people injured at Coney Beach Pleasure Park in Porthcawl, south Wales after a popular rollercoaster - the Wacky Worm ride - malfunctioned A panicked mum told how she saw children "screaming and covered in blood" after a rollercoaster derailed at a theme park on Wednesday. Rebecca Eccleston heard a "massive bang" before a metal railing smashed into her pram with one-year-old son Theo inside. It left her baby with bruises to his face. Further children suffered other injuries too, including severe cuts. The Wacky Worm ride derailed at Coney Beach Pleasure Park in Porthcawl, south Wales, derailed and it is said a metail railing fell onto Rebecca's pram. Guests were seen climbing off the rollercoaster - described by the attraction as "the perfect first thrill ride for the kids" - while others were helped down with a ladder. Rebecca, 22, said: "It was all fine and the kids were enjoying themselves then all of a sudden there was a massive bang. I turned and the metal railing had fallen on to my right shoulder and my pram. All the kids were screaming and covered in blood, including my best mate's boy." South Wales Police said 13 children and one adult suffered minor injuries while some needed hospital treatment. Coney Beach Pleasure Park has issued an apology, stating it was "a third-party ride" and an investigation has been launched. The attraction was closed on Thursday but is expected to reopen today. The one-day closure has done little to calm other parents, who watched the horror unfold on Wednesday. Matthew Baker's children were among those injured. The 44-year-old dad, who travelled with his family from Port Talbot, south Wales, said: "My four-year-old had a busted lip - there was a lot of blood - and he has bruises on his body. "My 15-year-old hurt her left knee, and my 13-year-old daughter, who was sitting behind them, hit her chin so hard her jaw is swollen and she's badly bruised around the ribs... Beyond the physical injuries, all three of them are really shaken up." 'I took my daughter on her favourite safari day out, but I made a big mistake' Coney Beach Amusement Park said: "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." South Wales Police conducted an investigation at the theme park on Thursday, a probe set to continue. It confirmed 14 people suffered minor injuries but is yet to comment further on the incident.
Wales Online
a day ago
- General
- Wales Online
Coney Beach confirms when it will re-open after customers hurt in accident
Coney Beach confirms when it will re-open after customers hurt in accident Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive were on the scene following the incident on the Wacky Worm ride 14 people were injured (Image: John Myers) Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl has confirmed it will reopen on Friday following a serious incident earlier in the week that left 14 people injured. The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, August 13, when the Wacky Worm rollercoaster – a small introductory ride aimed at children – derailed, injuring 13 children and one adult. Of those injured seven went to hospital for further treatment. One woman described how she was hit by a collapsing fence. Videos circulated on social media showed the rear carriage of the ride hanging off the track with bystanders assisting injured passengers, some visibly bloodied and bruised, to safety. Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance crews, responded to the scene shortly after 5.50pm. South Wales Police confirmed the details in a statement issued later that evening. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . A spokesman said: "Officers were called to Coney Beach Amusement Park, Porthcawl, Bridgend, at around 5.50pm on Wednesday evening following an accident involving one of the rides. "At this time we have confirmed that 13 children and one adult have sustained minor injuries. Some of these have required hospital treatment. Article continues below "The amusement park will remain closed on August 14 while officers and health and safety personnel carry out their investigation. "Please continue to avoid the area to allow emergency services access.' Coney Beach Pleasure Park issued a statement of their own via social media, clarifying that the incident involved a third-party ride not owned by the park. A spokesman said : "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 park remained closed on Thursday, August 14, as inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, the public body responsible for the encouragement, regulation, and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare in Britain, investigated. Article continues below It has now been confirmed the attraction will open on Friday from 12pm until 9pm.
