A 32-year-old woman has died after falling from a rollercoaster in France.
The woman was out with her family to celebrate her two-year-old child’s birthday when she plunged from the Formula 1 ride at the Parc Saint-Paul near Beauvais.
A horrified eyewitness told the Courrier Picard that she had seen the woman’s husband desperately try to save her by grabbing her foot.
She said: “We heard screaming and then I saw the lady fall. She went over the bar and her husband tried to catch her by her foot.”
Another eyewitness told the newspaper: “We have seen children feeling sick or crying. Some were at the top when the carousel stopped.”
Tragically, despite attempts to save her, the woman died at the scene.
According to reports, the woman was visiting the park with her child, husband, sister and mother. No one else was hurt in the incident.
In a statement to the Mirror, Parc Saint-Paul said: “Parc Saint Paul informs you that an accident occurred this Saturday, July 4, 2020, on the Formula 1 attraction.
“A passenger fell from the vehicle travelling on the roller-coaster attraction while it was in operation. This accident occurred around 1.45 pm.
“After intervention by the teams of park to secure the perimeter and take care of the victim an immediate call was carried out… for medical assistance.
“After arriving… a team of firefighters assisted by a Smur team [emergency medics] tried in vain to resuscitate the victim who unfortunately died on the spot. No other person was injured in this accident.
“The park area has been completely cut off for visitors. Park teams have taken charge [of] visitors and families affected.
“Rescue services from SDIS and the National Gendarmerie are on hand to assist us on this event and the whole park team is at their disposal to collaborate with them as a result of this accident.
“The media will be kept informed as soon as new information becomes known; safety is the park’s highest priority. All teams join the family to express their deepest sadness following this event.”
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
