Two people have been rushed to hospital after an incident on a ride at a Christmas festival, where witnesses heard a "massive bang" and people falling off.
The incident reportedly took place at the Ice Skater ride at Cardiff's Winter Wonderland on Saturday (November 26) evening at about 5.25pm.
Two patients were taken to the University Hospital of Wales after the Welsh Ambulance Service was called to the scene, having been alerted to reports that people had "come off a ride"
A teenage girl told WalesOnline that she had been celebrating her birthday when she saw a number of people on the floor.
Seren McCallum-Weller 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."
The 13-year-old explained how the ride involved several clusters of four seats which spin and move diagonally "very fast". The staff reportedly tried to stop the ride as soon as they could but it took a few minutes to slow down.
She continued: "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.
"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."
Eyewitness Laura Rogers from Pontypridd 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." She added: "My five-year-old daughter is tall for her age and can ride on it. Someone might not be so lucky next time and I hope the people involved have a speedy recovery."
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."
It is understood that Winter Wonderland opened as expected on Sunday, November 27, but the Ice Skater ride is not running. Winter Wonderland, Cardiff Council, and the Health and Safety Executive have been contacted for comment.
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