Police Give Update On Boy, 7, Who Fell From Rollercoaster In Yorkshire

Police have given an update on the seven-year-old boy who is thought to have fallen from a rollercoaster and have confirmed he is now breathing independently.

The statement, issued by North Yorkshire Police, reads: "The condition of a seven year-old boy, being treated in hospital after being injured at Lightwater Valley, is said to be improving.

"The boy is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary after being injured in an incident at Lightwater Valley Theme Park near Ripon on Thursday 30 May 2019.

"He was treated at the scene, with what was initially believed at to be non-life threatening injuries, and airlifted to hospital where his condition was later described as stable but critical.

"A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said today that the boy is now breathing independently and his condition continues to improve.

"North Yorkshire Police is assisting the Health and Safety Executive with their investigation."

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According to eye-witness accounts, the seven-year-old boy had fallen off the Twister ride at the park in North Stainley, at around 11.30am.

Tweeting about the incident, Mr Moran added: "He mustn't have been strapped in right, or too small for ride.

"As it went down the fast bit towards the 'souvenir' camera, he slid out and over top of [the] carriage. Fell face down about 20 to 30 feet to ground."

Another person tweeted: "Not what I expected to see at Lightwater Valley. Child fell from a ride apparently and we'd just been on it an hour before. Hope he's ok."

Photographs from the theme park show emergency crews arriving at the scene and walking across a green towards the rides.

In 2001, university student Gemma Savage died after two cars collided on the same Twister ride.

Five years later the manufacturer Reverchon Industries SA was found to have breached health and safety law.

The firm was found to have failed to ensure safe design and construction of the ride. It also failed to give information necessary to ensure it was safe for public use.

A statement from Lightwater Valley said: "We have been informed by North Yorkshire Police that the medical condition of the child involved in the incident at the park yesterday is now described as critical.

"We are devastated by this news and our thoughts are with the family.

"While the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation is continuing, we will support them and be guided by their advice."

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. After a few years working on festivals and events, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@amelialadbible