A roller coast went off the rails Sunday in Stockholm, Sweden, leaving one dead and several badly injured.
The Jetline roller coaster at Gröna Lund park travels at 55.9 mph, pulls 4.5 g, hits a height of 90 feet and runs a track length of just over 2,624 feet. Last year, it ranked among the Golden Ticket Awards’ top 50 steel roller coasters.
The ride, known for its anomalous, curved, upward sloping section, first opened in 1988. It was closed Sunday following a gruesome accident.
“Today, what is not allowed to happen happened,” park officials said in a statement on Facebook.
“An accident in the roller coaster Jetline led to the death of one person and several were injured. It’s a sad day at Gröna Lund and our thoughts go out to those affected and their relatives,” continued officials.
The Swedish national public broadcaster SVT reported that the individual who perished in the accident was a woman in her 30s.
Among the 14 people aboard the ill-fated train, nine — including children — were taken to hospital. Three riders were severely wounded. The kids taken to the Astrid Lindgren’s children’s hospital have since been released.
The front car separated from the train then came to an abrupt halt, sending its passengers crashing to the ground some 26 feet below.
Marco, an eyewitness, told SVT, “First I heard a bang and then I saw two guys fly out of the carriage.”
One witness, Ziba Assadi, observed “this huge piece of the wheel of the carriage fall from the sky and hit the track,” adding the train stopped and people were flying out, falling out of the carriages.”
In one video documenting the immediate aftermath, a rider can be seen desperately clinging to the rails nearby the partially-derailed car.
Cornelia, a visitor who had been on the ride with her son, told TV4 that while many people fled amidst the chaos, some onlookers jumped the fence in a rush to administer aid.
“There was a lot of screaming. No one knew what was going on,” said Cornelia.
Jenny Lagerstedt, a journalist who had been nearby with her family, said the horrific scene was preceded by a metallic noise.
Police are presently investigating the crash and will determine whether involuntary manslaughter charges are warranted. The park indicated it would assist police with its investigation and undertake its own, exploring the technical reasons behind the derailment.
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority revealed Monday that it would be launching an investigation into the incident, which is expected to take up to a year.
According to the Local, John Ahlberk, general director of the SHK, said, “It’s not just a technical investigation, we’ll also take a look at documentation concerning the event, interview those involved, look at supervisory frameworks and training.”
The independent accredited inspections company Dekra reportedly examined the ride at the beginning of the month, noting, “Result: No flaws. Offers reassuring safety.”
Jetline front seat on-ride HD POV Gröna Lundyoutu.be
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