Woman dies after fairground accident

A university student died in hospital yesterday after she was seriously injured in a fairground accident when two high-speed rollercoaster carriages collided.

Gemma Louise Savage, 20, suffered fatal head injuries and a damaged spine in the impact on the Treetop Twister ride at Lightwater Valley Theme Park, in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Miss Savage, from Durham University, was airlifted to hospital following the accident on Wednesday lunchtime. Three men were also taken to hospital, one with a broken arm and the others with minor injures.

Last night a spokesman for the theme park said: "We regret to confirm that following the incident on the Treetop Twister ride yesterday, a woman has unfortunately died from her injuries.

"The incident occurred at approximately 1.45pm when two cars on the ride were involved in a collision with one car running into the car in front.

"The ride has been closed and will remain so until the Health and Safety Executive has concluded its reports and recommendations."

A spokesman for the HSE said its investigation into the incident would continue alongside the police and confirmed that Lightwater Valley Theme Park could face the possibility of a criminal prosecution, for corporate manslaughter or health and safety offences.