Roller coaster car collision at Legoland Germany injures more than 30
GERMANY: A roller coaster crash at the Legoland amusement park in southern Germany injured more than 30 people after one coaster car failed to stop for reasons still unknown.
At Legoland Germany’s ‘Feuerdrache’ or ‘Fire Dragon’ attraction, one roller coaster car stopped in front of the car station’s entrance. But a second car did not completely stop, colliding into the first train, Legoland Germany said in a written statement to The Washington Post.
Why the car didn’t stop is unknown, and an investigation has been opened, the park’s media office added.
The incident occurred around 1.45pm Thursday local time.
A total of 38 guests were on both trains, of which 31 sustained minor injuries that were treated on-site by doctors and paramedics.
Of them, 14 were sent for further observation, where one person required medical treatment, Legoland Germany said.
The park area was evacuated, the press office said.
The emergency response team included at least three helicopters, as well as fire, police and paramedic teams.
Public prosecutor office officials arrived to the site, Sky News reported.
The Legoland Deutschland Resort on Thursday noted that the ride will be temporarily closed.
The park told The Post that while the park will be open Friday, the ‘Fire Dragon’ will remain closed ‘for the time being’.
The attraction was open to riders ages 6 with accompaniment, or 8 for solo riders, according to the Legoland Germany’s website.
There are also minimum height requirements of 3 1/2 feet for accompanied children, 3 feet 9 inches for unaccompanied.
Last week, a roller coaster accident at a different German amusement park killed a 57-yearold woman. She slipped out of her seat and fell 26 feet as her roller coaster car was moving through a curve.