A father has described the moment a ride at Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl ‘completely lifted off the rail’ with his three children on board, leaving 14 people injured.
Matthew Baker, 44, from Port Talbot, was visiting the park on Wednesday with his partner and children when the Wacky Worm ride derailed. His four-year-old son, who is autistic and non-verbal, had shown excitement for the ride, so his teenage daughters offered to take him on.
The ride had completed one lap when a 'jaunting, jiggling' noise was heard before it stopped abruptly and the back end lifted off the rails, crashing down with such force that a section of security fencing flew off. Mr Baker said he pushed his partner out of the way and ran to the ride, where he and other men ripped open the gate to help those on board.
His 15-year-old daughter had wrapped her arms around her younger brother to shield him. The three children sustained minor injuries: the four-year-old had a busted lip and bruises, the 15-year-old hurt her knee, and the 13-year-old hit her chin and has a swollen jaw and bruised ribs. Mr Baker said they were all 'really shaken up', especially his non-verbal son.
South Wales Police confirmed that 13 children and one adult sustained minor injuries, with some requiring hospital treatment. The park remained closed the following day as investigations by police and health and safety personnel took place.
