Investigation launched into Madrid rollercoaster crash

Spanish theme park Parque de Atracciones has launched an investigation after two trains collided on one of its rides, affecting 33 people.

The incident, which happened on Sunday (16 July) at the park in Madrid, occurred when one train on the TNT Mina Train – recently repurposed to include virtual reality – completed its circuit but failed to stop.

According to reports, 27 people were treated in hospital for neck, back and stomach injuries, though no injuries were serious with main problems being bruising and shock.

In a statement provided to Attractions Management, the park said it was “currently investigating the incident in order to give a clear response” over the cause of the accident.

“We can confirm that the involved visitors are not at risk and they are all currently at home,” the statement added.

The Gerstlauer-manufactured ride opened in 2012 and was relaunched as a VR coaster last month, powered by the Samsung Gear headset. The interactive rollercoaster sends riders down a haunted mine in the old west, with guests able to shoot skeletons and spiders as they progress along a 1,476ft (450m) track. The ride reaches speeds of up to 55kmph (34mph) and reaches heights of 59ft (18m).

Last year Merlin Entertainments was fined £5m (US$6.5m, €5.7m) after last year’s horrific Smiler crash at Alton Towers, an accident which left five visitors with life-changing injuries including two leg amputations. Also a Gerstlauer ride, an investigation found the accident was caused by absence of safe systems on Merlin’s part. The Health and Safety Executive ruled the Smiler crash was the result of human error when an operator manually overrode the ride safety system.

Attractions Management has contacted Gerstlauer for comment.