Fourteen injured as tree falls on rollercoaster at Spanish theme park
Two of the casualties were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
More than a dozen people have been injured after a tree fell on a rollercoaster ride at a popular theme park in Spain.
Two of the 14 casualties are said to be in a critical condition and were airlifted from PortAventura World and rushed to Bellvitge Hospital in Barcelona and Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona.
The incident occurred on a wooden roller coaster called Tomahawk, with children reportedly among those injured.
![At least 14 people have been injured at PortAventura](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2017/09/18/12/portaventura-world-from-the-air-12.jpg)
A spokeswoman for the local emergency services confirmed that two people with critical injuries had been transferred to hospital, while three others had been taken to hospital with less serious injuries.
The theme park confirmed in a statement on social media: “This morning, due to high winds, an accident has occurred in which a tree came down on the Tomahawk rollercoaster.
“Some of the branches hit customers who were on the attraction. Our emergency protocols were activated immediately.”
PortAventura’s website describes the ride as a “children’s roller coaster with frenetic climbs and descents that will test the bravery of all those who dare to challenge it”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments