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Universal Studios theme park tram crash leaves 15 injured

The incident happened on Saturday night

Rich Booth,Barney Davis
Sunday 21 April 2024 10:00 BST
Tram Accident Universal Studios
Tram Accident Universal Studios (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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A tram accident on a tour at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles has injured 15 visitors on Saturday night.

Los Angeles County Fire Department units were dispatched to the theme park on Lankershim Boulevard shortly after 9pm.

Los Angeles County sheriff Lt Maria Aba told the LA Times that a four-car tram had crashed.

The last car of the tram struck a rail when it was travelling down a hill of a parking structure.

“There was some type of issue with the brakes,” Abal said. “We don’t exactly know what yet.”

The park’s tram can hold more than a hundred people, Abal said, but it was unclear how many were on board at the time of the accident.

The victims all suffered minor injuries, Universal Studios said in a statement but one reported moderate injuries, according to Fredrick Fielding, a public information officer for the county Fire Department.

A spokesperson for Universal Studios said: “There was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries, confirmed by the LA County Fire Dept.

“We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident.”

The “World-Famous Studio Tour” which takes visitors on a tram tour of Universal and Disney’s iconic film sets is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year.

The tour thrills visitors taking in sets like the Bates Motel from Psycho, Jurassic Park, Back To The Future and Jaws.

It also simulates a flash flood, an 8.3 earthquake and a high-speed car chase featuring the cast from the Fast & Furious movie franchise.

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