Theme park guilty over ride death

Gemma Savage died in hospital one day after the accident

A theme park's owners and an electrician have admitted breaching health and safety laws after the death of a woman on a rollercoaster ride.

Gemma Savage, 20, from Wath upon Dearne, died after two cars collided on the Treetop Twister at Lightwater Valley, North Yorkshire, in June 2001.

Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd and maintenance electrician Eric Butters, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court.

The ride's French manufacturer denies health and safety breaches.

Paris-based Societe Reverchon Industries France has since gone into liquidation.

Health and safety

On Tuesday, a not guilty plea was entered on the company's behalf and a trial is due to take place at a later date.

Miss Savage, from Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, was on a day out with friends from Durham University, where she was studying biomedical sciences, when the accident happened.

Three other riders were also injured in the incident.

All three parties face charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd is charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of riders, Butters is charged with failing to ensure safety through his work, and French firm Reverchon is charged with failing to ensure the safety of the construction of the ride.