Boy 'traumatised' after rollercoaster accident, dad says

John, who has short brown hair and stubble, wearing a black and grey hoodie. There is a police car behind him in front of a police cordon. In the background the amusement park can be seen with a rollercoaster track fenced off by metal gates.

John Baylis says the look on children's faces after the incident will "stay with him"

Sara Dafydd
BBC News
Dan Moffat
BBC News

A father has described hearing a "horrific bang" and "loud screams" before rushing to help injured children, including his son, get off a derailed rollercoaster.

Emergency services confirmed 13 children received minor injuries during the incident on Coney Beach Pleasure Park's Wacky Worm ride, in Porthcawl, Bridgend county, on Wednesday.

John Paul Baylis, 36, from Porthcawl, said a fun family day turned into "carnage" after the incident, adding his eight-year-old son Ethan had been "traumatised" and woke up crying on Thursday.

In a statement, Coney Beach Pleasure Park said it was instructed by police to clear the site after the incident on a "third-party ride" not owned by the park.

South Wales Police said officers were called to the amusement park at about 17:50 BST on Wednesday following an accident on one of the rides.

Mr Baylis said he "climbed up on to the rollercoaster" to grab Ethan when he realised something had gone wrong.

"As soon as I passed him to another dad I went to another cart," he said.

"I could see blood. The kids' screams kept ringing, it was horrific."

Mr Baylis said he had to intervene as some people were stuck in their carts.

"There was another girl two or three carts up. She couldn't get out so I helped her as well," he added.

A side on view of a caterpillar themed rollercoaster where the front cart of the ride has come off the tracks. It is suspended in the air at the front as the yellow track goes out of the image. Behind there is a sign for a family rollercoasterRebecca Eccleston

The incident involved the Wacky Worm ride at the park

His son Ethan suffered a head injury and has some bruising on his head.

"He's traumatised bless him," said Mr Baylis.

"He woke up this morning crying but hopefully we can work on that going forward," he added.

Mr Baylis said he had also been affected by the experience.

"There was blood over the kids. The fear in their eyes is something that will stay with me," he said.

Ethan looking down as the photo is taken. His hairline is being held back by someone with their hand resting on his head. It reveals his forehead which appears bruised and is darker in colour on the left side of his forehead.John Paul Baylis

Mr Baylis says his son has some bruises on his head following the "traumatic" incident

In a statement, Coney Beach Pleasure Park said it was instructed by police to clear the site after the incident on a "third-party ride" not owned by the park.

The park apologised for the disruption and said on Wednesday it would provide refunds to affected customers as soon as possible.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: "We are aware of this incident and are being supported by South Wales Police.

"Our inspectors are attending the site today (Thursday) to commence enquiries."

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