An eyewitness has described hearing "horrific screams" and panic at a Welsh theme park before it was closed due to a medical emergency on Sunday, October 23. Sean Hayes from London was visiting Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire with his wife and daughter and they were among the first people to get on the Treetops ride at around 12.45pm.
One person was taken to hospital by air ambulance after Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance attended. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident. You can keep up to date with all the latest on what happened on our live blog here.
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While the nature of the incident has not been confirmed, Mr Hayes told WalesOnline that less than a minute into the ride they heard "horrific screams" before panic ensued. "I shouted for the ride to stop and staff were clearly panicking to get it stopped," he said of what happened. "It went on for a bit before it grinded to a halt. We had to evacuate the ride on a bend and staff were present to help people off."
Describing the scenes after disembarking the ride, Mr Hayes said he noticed people including a group of girls in shock and asked if they were ok, "which clearly they weren't". After going to retrieve his bag he said he saw a man lying on the ground, adding that staff members from the theme park and paramedics were in attendance.
"Within 20 mins an air ambulance arrived and I also saw a lot of police turning up," Mr Hayes said, adding that members of the public were then told they would have to leave the park. It has been reported that the incident involved the Treetops ride, but this has not been confirmed.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called to the scene at 1pm. A spokeswoman said no further details were immediately available.
Oakwood issued a statement on the incident on Monday, October 24. It said: "We are deeply saddened by the incident that took place on our Treetops ride on Sunday 23rd October in which one of our visitors sustained an injury. We are co-operating fully with the HSE investigation into the incident and are unable to comment further at this stage.
"The health, safety, and wellbeing of all our visitors and staff is of paramount importance to us. Following guidance from the HSE, Oakwood Theme Park will re-open for the half term holiday in Wales on Saturday 29th October as planned with Treetops remaining closed during the period of investigation. All guests affected by yesterday’s closure, will be contacted directly by a member of our team."
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