Greenwood Forest Park zip wire death inquiry begins

An investigation has begun into the death of an 11-year-old boy who fell from a zip wire ride at a theme park.

He was airlifted to hospital after falling on Sunday at Greenwood Forest Park, at Y Felinheli, Gwynedd.

The ride, called the SwampFlyer, opened the previous Monday. The park said all equipment was checked on Sunday morning and was in good condition.

The park was shut on Monday and said it was co-operating with police and the Health and Safety Executive.

North Wales Police said the boy was pronounced dead in hospital. His identity has not yet been released.

Police, who are jointly investigating with the Health and Safety Executive, said they were called to the park at 1640 BST on Sunday.

The 145m (475ft) SwampFlyer is described by the park as the longest zip wire ride in Wales and goes up to a height of 9m (30ft).

Those who ride it launch themselves off a cliff and go through tree tops and over a swamp.

'Tragic accident'

When the ride was opened the park said that "visitors of almost all age groups will be able to ride the SwampFlyer".

Local councillor Huw Price Hughes, who was at the zip wire's launch last Monday and rode it, said: "It's shaken the whole area and we can all extend our condolences to the family at such a tragic loss".

Mr Price Hughes said the park was an important contributor to the local economy, employing more than 100 people during summer.

In a statement on its website, the park said: "There was a tragic accident at Greenwood Forest Park on Easter Sunday.

"An 11-year-old boy died when he fell from the zip wire - he was airlifted to hospital but his life could not be saved.

"All the equipment was checked at 10am in the morning and was all in good condition.

"We are co-operating fully with the police and the Health and Safety Executive in their investigation. We have always put safety as our number one priority and we are determined to understand fully what has happened.

"As a mark of respect to the family concerned we are closing the park on Easter Monday.

"Our thoughts and sympathy are with the family of the boy."