Lightwater Valley incident: Condition of boy, 7, who fell off rollercoaster 'improving'
The boy was said to be in a critical condition when he was flown to hospital last week, but his condition has since improved.
Sunday 2 June 2019 18:21, UK
A seven-year-old boy who was in a critical condition after falling off a rollercoaster at a Yorkshire theme park last week is said to have improved.
He was flown to Leeds General Infirmary with head injuries following Thursday's incident at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon in North Yorkshire.
On Friday, police said the child was "critical but stable".
It was initially believed the boy's injuries were not serious, but police said hospital doctors found injuries that "would not have been apparent at the scene".
In a statement, Lightwater Valley said they were "devastated" by the news of his condition "and our thoughts are with the family".
A spokesperson with North Yorkshire Police confirmed on Sunday that the boy's condition had improved since last week, and that he was now breathing independently.
It comes after a witness told Sky News the boy was "hanging backwards outside of the actual carriage" before he fell from the Twister ride.
Mark Charnley said he was queuing with his daughter when he looked up and saw the boy.
"He's obviously got himself out of his restraint somehow," said Mr Charnley.
"Two seconds after that he actually fell out of the carriage to the floor, maybe around 12-15ft he fell.
"After that everybody in the queue, everybody around, started shouting to the operator of the ride to shut it down as he hadn't noticed what had gone on.
"Two guys dove over the actual barriers to get to the lad who was on the floor."
Police said they were called to the theme park at 11.30am, and that the boy was conscious when they arrived.
An air ambulance was filmed landing at the park and taking him to hospital.
Student Gemma Savage, 20, died on the Twister ride in 2001 when two carriages collided less than a month after it opened.
An inquest into the incident heard the ride had not been wired up properly.
The Twister is described on the park's website as a "spinning roller coaster... with passengers boarding a strange waltzer-shaped ride car and heading on an epic ascent to the treetops".
Police and the Health and Safety Executive are carrying out a joint investigation of the this week's incident.