Several people were injured at Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales after the Bounce ride, a 147-foot tall drop tower attraction, experienced a sudden malfunction on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The ride, which had recently undergone a $500,000 refurbishment, performed a scheduled emergency stop mid-air, causing it to plummet to the ground.
Approximately 20 people, including several children, were on the ride at the time. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with riders screaming and crying as the ride malfunctioned. One guest recounted, “The ride went up and down a few times before it fell quickly to the ground from about halfway up the tower.”
Upon the ride’s sudden descent, several individuals reported minor injuries. Oakwood Theme Park’s first aid team promptly attended to the injured, providing immediate assistance on-site. Four individuals sought further medical treatment at a local hospital. A park spokesperson said, “A number of guests reported minor lower back pain immediately after the occurrence and were attended to by our onsite team of first aiders, where assistance was provided.”
The Bounce ride, known for its “gravity-defying, stomach-lurching” experience, reopened in 2022 after being closed since 2016 for refurbishment. The ride’s mechanism includes large steel cables and shock absorbers that control its movement, ensuring it is not a free-fall tower. Despite these safety measures, the ride’s sudden halt triggered an emergency stop, causing the passenger gondola to come to an abrupt stop within the braking zone.
The incident has temporarily prompted Oakwood Theme Park to close the Bounce ride while conducting an internal investigation. The park has also consulted with the ride manufacturer to understand the cause of the malfunction and ensure future riders’ safety. “As is always the case in such an occurrence, we have consulted with the ride control system manufacturer, who is attending the site today. We have temporarily closed Bounce to enable them to complete their work and to aid our internal investigation,” stated the park.
This event is not the first time Oakwood Theme Park has faced scrutiny over safety issues. In 2004, a tragic accident occurred when 16-year-old Hayley Williams fell 100 feet from the Hydro water thrill ride, leading to the park being fined roughly $450,000. More recently, in October 2022, a man was hospitalized after falling from the Treetops rollercoaster, although an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found no fault with the ride’s equipment.
The recent incident on the Bounce ride has reignited concerns about ride safety at Oakwood Theme Park. Sam Kurtz, a Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. “It is important that yesterday’s incident is fully investigated and issues rectified urgently,” he said. Henry Tufnell, the new MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, also called for a comprehensive inquiry, labeling the situation “deeply concerning.”
Despite the incident, other rides at Oakwood Theme Park remain open, and the park continues to operate. Milford Haven School, which had a scheduled visit to the park the day after the incident, assured parents that the safety of students was a priority. The school stated on Facebook that any parents or carers who did not want their children to go on the trip could withdraw consent. Additionally, they conducted an updated risk assessment to ensure no pupils would be allowed on the Bounce ride, which remained closed.
Oakwood Theme Park, the largest in Wales, was established in 1987 on a family farm before being acquired by Spanish entertainment company Aspro Parks.