New ride suggested for rollercoaster accident park

Emergency services were called to Landmark Forest Adventure Park's Runaway Timber Train

A theme park says it is exploring the possibility of building a new rollercoaster on the site of a ride where two children were injured four years ago.

The girls, who were from the Scottish Borders and were 12 years old at the time, suffered neck injuries at Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge in the Highlands.

The girls' families launched legal action last year seeking compensation from the operators of the park.

Landmark said its visitor feedback "consistently" identified a new ride as a top request, and said it took its responsibilities around safety "extremely seriously".

Police, firefighters and three ambulances were called to the park in August 2021 after a "mechanical failure" affected the Runaway Timber Train.

The girls continue to be affected by psychological trauma, their families said.

They said they hoped there would be "more stringent safety and maintenance checks" around any new ride at the park.

Digby Brown Solicitors in Edinburgh said it was supporting the families with an ongoing claim.

'Exploring options'

Landmark Forest Adventure Park has demolished and removed the Runaway Timber Train.

It said it had taken an early procedural step through Highland Council's planning system to determine whether an environmental impact assessment would be required for a new concept in the future.

The park, which first opened in 1970, is in an area of ancient Scots pine woodland.

A spokesperson said it had carried out research into what would most enhance the visitor experience, and support the site's long-term sustainability.

They said: "While we've provided an outline concept as part of this process, no final decision has been made - we're still exploring our options and assessing feasibility, including costs, before considering any future steps.

"On safety, we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.

"Landmark fully cooperated with the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) thorough investigation into the 2021 incident, which concluded with no enforcement action against us as the HSE confirmed publicly at the time."

Spinning Coaster

According to documents submitted to Highland Council, the new ride - called the Spinning Coaster - could involve single vehicles and a series of turns, drops and climbs.

It could reach a maximum height of almost 18m (59ft) - higher than the previous ride's 9m (30ft).

The parts for the Spinning Coaster could take up to two years to construct in a factory and then about six months to build at Landmark.

The park near Aviemore and currently has more than 20 attractions.