Police say nine people have been hospitalized, including three with serious injuries, after a roller coaster partially derailed at the Grona Lund theme park.
One person died and several were injured in a roller coaster accident at the Grona Lund amusement park in the Swedish capital Stockholm, TT news agency reported, citing a park spokesman.
The park’s Jetline roller coaster partially derailed during a ride on Sunday, public broadcaster SVT said, citing witnesses.
“It’s incredibly tragic and shocking,” park spokeswoman Annika Troselius told SVT. “Unfortunately we have been informed that one person has died and several have been injured.”
“It’s not going to happen,” he continued. “We are all outraged and shocked and focused on caring for those affected and our staff.”
According to the police, nine people, children and adults, were hospitalized after the accident, including three with serious injuries.
Ambulances, fire trucks and a helicopter were seen arriving at the park, and police said they were investigating.
“We have left the park and are starting our investigation,” a police spokesman said.
Grona Lund said in a statement that the 140-year-old park will be closed until further notice.
Jenny Lagerstedt, a journalist visiting the park with her family, told SVT that she was nearby and heard a metallic noise and noticed that the structure of the track was shaking during the accident.
“My husband saw a roller coaster car with people falling to the ground,” Lagerstedt said.
“My children are scared,” she added.
The steel-tracked Jetline roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 90km/h per hour (56 mph) and is 30 meters (98 feet) high, bringing in more than a million visitors each year, the amusement park says on its website. It was put into operation in 1988.
Swedish Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand said news of the accident was incomprehensible.
“My thoughts are with those affected as well as their families and loved ones,” Liljestrand said in a statement to the TT news agency.
