Teenager girl falls off ride in Canada’s amusement park, in critical condition

York

A 17-year-old girl in Canada is in critical condition after she fell down about 40 feet from an amusement park ride in Canada's Wonderland, local media reported on Friday (July 12). The girl fell from the Swing of the Century ride at the amusement park at around 2:35 pm local time Thursday. 

Speaking to Fox News, the York Regional Police said, "There was nothing considered criminal in this incident and we stayed to assist paramedics." The girl was transported to a trauma centre, the police said.

No investigation launched

The police were not investigating Thursday's incident at Canada's Wonderland. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the amusement park said in a statement, “On Thursday, July 11, at approximately 2:35 pm, ride operators on the Swing of the Century reported a guest injury."

The spokesperson said that the amusement park's medical staff and emergency services responded and the teenager was taken to a hospital.

“An incident investigation is underway and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority has cleared the ride to re-open,” the spokesperson further said and pointed out that the safety of guests was a top priority.

A look at the ride

According to Canada's Wonderland website, Swing of the Century was one of the 26 original rides located on-site when the Park opened on May 23, 1981. Swing of the Century was manufactured by German-based company Zierer Karussell- und Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH & Co. KM.

"Swing of the Century will take up to 48 riders through the air in individual seats that are raised and lowered at a soothing pace," the website states.

"A chair swing family ride with free-hanging seats suspended from an elevated, rotating, and slanting tower. Riders will rotate in a circular motion as the tower begins to rise.  An individual lap bar and a between-the-legs safety belt secure each rider," it adds.

The ride might not accommodate guests of a larger size.

(With inputs from agencies)