Two people have been taken to hospital after they reportedly "came off" a ride at Winter Wonderland in Cardiff. The incident happened at around 5.15pm on Saturday, November 26, at the showpiece event in the capital's civic centre.
According to eyewitnesses a number of people fell from the Ice Skater ride after a "massive bang" was heard. A spokesman from the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that two patients were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff following the incident, which they said had seen two people "reportedly come off a ride" at the event.
Seren McCallum-Weller was at Winter Wonderland celebrating her birthday along with her family. The 13-year-old said she saw a number of people on the floor and that the experience left her panicked.
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She 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 said staff tried to stop the ride as soon as they could but it took a few minutes to slow down.
She said: "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."
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." 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. A spokesman for Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred on the Ice Skater ride at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland on the evening of Saturday, November 26. 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.”
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "HSE is aware and making the appropriate inquiries." A Cardiff council spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident which occurred at Winter Wonderland on Saturday evening and will be supporting any investigations that will be undertaken in due course."
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