A 32-year-old woman from France died after falling from a roller-coaster at the Parc Saint-Paul near Beauvais.
The woman was out with her family to celebrate her 2-year-old child’s birthday when the incident happened.
According to reports, the woman plunged from the Formula 1 ride that she was riding at the Parc Saint-Paul.
A horrified eyewitness aid that the woman’s husband tried to save her by grabbing her foot, but he failed.
The eyewitness said:
We heard screaming and then I saw the lady fall. She went over the bar and her husband tried to catch her by her foot.
A second eyewitness said:
We have seen children feeling sick or crying. Some were at the top when the carousel stopped.
Tragically, the woman died at the scene despite authorities trying to save her.
The woman was visiting the park with her sister, husband, child, and her mother.
No one else sustained injuries in the incident.
The Parc Saint-Paul released a statement about the incident, where they said:
Parc Saint Paul informs you that an accident occurred this Saturday, July 4, 2020 on the Formula 1 attraction. A passenger fell from the vehicle travelling on the roller-coaster attraction while it was in operation. This accident occurred around 1.45pm. After intervention by the teams of park to secure the perimeter and take care of the victim an immediate call was carried out… for medical assistance. After arriving… a team of firefighters assisted by a Smur team [emergency medics] tried in vain to resuscitate the victim who unfortunately died on the spot. No other person was injured in this accident. The park area has been completely cut off for visitors. Park teams have taken charge [of] visitors and families affected. Rescue services from SDIS and the National Gendarmerie are on hand to assist us on this event and the whole park team is at their disposal to collaborate with them as a result of this accident. The media will be kept informed as soon as new information becomes known; safety is the park’s highest priority. All teams join the family to express their deepest sadness following this event.
The incident happened on July 4, 2020.
The section of the park where the incident happened was closed to the public until July 5, 2020.
The Parc Saint Paul reopened on June 6 with coronavirus guidelines set in place.
The roller coaster ride will be opened to the public from July 6, 2020.
An official investigation about the incident has been launched.