Winter Wonderland horror as two people ‘come off’ Ice Skater ride ‘after festivalgoers hear a massive bang’

• Witnesses said a number of people fell from the ride at about 5.15pm yesterday
• Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed two people were hospitalised
• Seren McCallum-Weller, 13, said she saw a woman being pushed into the railings
• Said staff tried to stop ride immediately but it took a couple of minutes to slow 

Two people have been taken to hospital after they ‘came off’ the Ice Skater ride at Winter Wonderland in Cardiff.

Witnesses saw a number of people fall from the ride at about 5.15pm yesterday after hearing a ‘massive bang’.

A spokesman from the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that two patients were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff following the incident.

A 13-year-old who was on the ride said she saw a woman getting lodged in between the ride and the railings. 

She said staff tried to stop the ride as soon as they could but it took a couple of minutes to slow down.

Two people have been taken to hospital after they ‘came off’ the Ice Skater ride at Winter Wonderland in Cardiff (pictured)

Seren McCallum-Weller, who was at Winter Wonderland celebrating her birthday along with her family, said: ‘I was on the Ice Skater ride with my cousin. We were just having a fun time then we suddenly heard a massive bang. I didn’t know what it was. We looked behind us and the ride was still going and then we saw a lady on the floor. 

‘We then saw a second lady who was pushed into the railings and the railings had moved. She was lodged in between the ride and the railings. 

‘I think a third lady was also thrown into the railings. There were a few children on the ride who were no older than 11 or 12.’

Seren said the ride involves several clusters of around four seats which spin and move diagonally ‘very fast’. 

She added: ‘The ride was slowing down and it came to a stop about one or two minutes after it happened. The attendants were trying to stop it straightaway. 

‘One of the ladies had damaged her head and there was blood. I think she possibly broke her ankle as well. I think [one of them] was unconscious. I was panicking. I saw one woman get up and as I was leaving I heard one of them crying. I hope the ladies are okay.

The incident took place last night at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland (pictured) which is near the city’s civic centre

‘You see things like this happen on YouTube and hear them happening to other people but it’s scary when it happens to you. It has scared me and I’m giving theme parks and rides a miss in the future.’

Laura Rogers from Pontypridd was visiting Winter Wonderland with her family when she also saw the incident unfold. The 29-year-old said: ‘We were playing on the games opposite and we heard a bit of commotion. 

‘As we looked over we saw all the security running around all frantic. We noticed they rushed to a cabin. They then left with some sort of medical bag. As they rushed past us we followed. Then I realised there was an accident on the ride.

‘Then they pulled one railing off on the side. I then noticed a lady or girl on the side pinned against it. As I walked on I noticed another girl that looked unconscious. There were shoes on the floor that seemed to be flown off during this time. I stood for a little while and then I noticed one of the security staff talking to my mother-in-law.

‘He told her that the bars had flung open…. It was shocking to see for my five-year-old daughter who goes on this ride – also for everyone that had to witness it happening when they only went out for a good time.’ 

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: ‘We had a call at 5.15pm that two patients had reportedly come off a ride at Winter Wonderland. We deployed our cycle response team who were in the city centre for the rugby match. A conveying ambulance was requested to take two patients to hospital.’

A spokesperson for Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland confirmed the attraction is open as expected today but the Ice Skater ride is to remain closed pending an investigation. 

They said: ‘We are aware of an incident that occurred on the “Ice Skater” ride at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland on the evening of Saturday 26th November. 

‘Safety is always a priority for us, and a full investigation into the incident is now taking place. 

‘We, as the event organisers, are working closely with the ride owner/operator and all relevant organisations to investigate. The ride will remain closed during this time.’

The Health and Safety Executive said they are aware of the incident and are ‘making the appropriate inquiries’.

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