Tragic Death at Terra Mitica Theme Park
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
By - Irena Bodnarec @ Benidorm All Year Round
Disaster struck yesterday afternoon at Terra Mitica theme park resulting in the tragic death of an 18 year old boy. The Icelandic national, who was actually holidaying in Torrevieja, was visiting the theme park for the day accompanied by his father, brother and a family friend.
According to a preliminary report by the National Police, the fatality took place at 16:30pm on the ride called "Inferno" – which is located in the Rome section of the park. The giant rollercoaster makes 360 degree loops and reaches speeds of up to 60 km per hour. It was while the ride was upside down that the young man fell out from his seat, dropping somewhere between 10 and 15 meters to the ground. At this point it is unclear whether the safety harness came loose due to a mechanical fault or was not correctly put on.
Paramedics from SAMU where on the scene immediately and the young man was still alive at that point, but he subsequently died in the ambulance after suffering a heart attack, with his death recorded at 17.30pm. An investigation has already been opened by court number 2 in Benidorm, where the judge will await the forensic report before deciding on appropriate action.
Inferno opened in 2007 and is the newest ride to be added to the theme park. Since the opening of Terra Mitica in 2000 they have had an excellent safety record with no fatalities documented. Park authorities released a statement confirming that regular safety checks are made by an external company on all the rides and that additionally park maintenance personnel check all the rides are functioning properly every morning.
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