25-6-2023 (STOCKHOLM) A rollercoaster accident at Grona Lund amusement park in the Swedish capital on Sunday (Jun 25) has left one person dead and nine others injured, including children, according to park officials and the police.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment when Grona Lund’s Jetline rollercoaster partially derailed during a ride, causing individuals to be thrown to the ground.
“This is a tragic and shocking incident, and unfortunately, we have received confirmation of one fatality,” stated Annika Troselius, spokesperson for Grona Lund, in an interview with public broadcaster SVT.
Se ha producido un grave accidente en la montaña rusa Jetline en Gröna Lund en Estocolmo. Parece ser que ha descarrilado un tren y hay varios heridos en el suelo y gente atrapada en el vagón. Ha fallecido una persona. @gronalund #Jetline pic.twitter.com/dPzFHkI5wN
— Ylenia Yunamond ???? (@Yunamond) June 25, 2023
The scene quickly became a flurry of activity as ambulances, fire trucks, and a helicopter arrived at the park, and the police initiated an investigation into the accident.
Authorities reported that nine individuals, including three with severe injuries, were receiving treatment at local hospitals. Grona Lund, in a statement, announced the immediate closure of the 140-year-old amusement park until further notice. At the time of writing, a spokesperson could not be reached for additional comment.
Jenny Lagerstedt, a journalist who was at the park with her family, recounted her experience to SVT, sharing that she was in close proximity to the accident and heard a metallic noise while noticing the track structure shaking.
“My husband witnessed a rollercoaster car, with people inside, plummeting to the ground,” Lagerstedt said. “My children were terrified,” she added.
The Jetline rollercoaster, which utilizes steel tracks, reaches speeds of up to 90 km/h and stands at a height of 30 meters. With over 1 million visitors annually, it has been one of the park’s most popular attractions, as stated on Grona Lund’s website.
Sweden’s Culture Minister, Parisa Liljestrand, expressed her disbelief upon hearing the news of the accident. “My thoughts are with those affected, as well as their families and loved ones,” Liljestrand conveyed in a statement to the TT news agency.
The investigation into the rollercoaster accident at Grona Lund amusement park is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
