BBC News | UK | Student dies after fairground crash

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Thursday, 21 June, 2001, 16:07 GMT 17:07 UK

A woman has died following a crash on a theme park ride in North Yorkshire.

Gemma Louise Savage from Rotherham died at the Leeds General Infirmary at 1400 BST on Thursday.

A health and safety investigation is under way after the accident on Wednesday.

Two carriages collided on the Treetop Twister ride at Lightwater Valley Theme Park in Ripon on Wednesday.

Ms Savage, a 20-year-old student at the University of Durham, was airlifted to hospital after the crash.

We have run the park for 20 years and it has an excellent safety record
Dudley Westgate, park spokesman

She was unconscious with severe head and spinal injuries, according to the ambulance service.

Three men were also taken to hospital, one with a broken arm, when the carriages shunted together at 1345 BST.

Health and Safety Executive investigators are describing it as "a very serious accident".

New rides

A spokeswoman said: "There's mechanical engineering involved so they have to look very closely."

The Treetop Twister ride opened at the theme park in Ripon in May.

It was one of two new rides to arrive at the 175-acre park this year.

Staff at the theme park were said to be "devastated" by the accident.

Park spokesman Dudley Westgate said: "We have run the park for 20 years and it has an excellent safety record."

Internet links: Lightwater Valley | Health & Safety Executive |
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