Shenzhen has set up a joint investigation team and ordered Happy Valley Shenzhen to suspend operations after at least eight people were injured in a roller coaster collision on Friday (Oct 27). Officials confirmed none of the injured were in life-threatening condition.

Two roller coaster trains collided at Happy Valley at around 6.27 pm on Friday when an ascending coaster train with 22 visitors on board suddenly slid down along the track and crashed with another train at the platform, according to a statement released by the Safety Management Committee Office of Nanshan District, where the amusement park is located.

The passengers on the stationary train having finished their ride were exiting the ride, but nine remained on board when the collision occurred, leading to several injuries.

Eight injured individuals were transported to the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital by ambulance. Other injured sought medical attention at nearby hospitals.Those with less severe injuries left the hospital after examination on their own, while some satyed for observation and treatment.

The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital said that there were still 10 injured individuals receiving treatment at the hospital's surgical inpatient department, including those who were transferred from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to the Beijing News.

Staff from the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Hospital, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital received a number of the injured individuals from the accident.

Four injured individuals including three men and a woman were receiving treatment at the ICU. One of the men had brain bleeding and brain tissue contusion and was undergoing intubation treatment, while the other three were in stable condition.

Several passengers on the two trains shared their experience on social media.

"Everyone was screaming when the train started moving back. The riders in the two rows behind me were more seriously injured, with three to four people in each row," said one rider sitting in the third-to-last row on the ascending train.

Another tourist on the stationary train said the front train collided at extremely high speed, causing severe damage. "I was lucky to get off the ride relatively quickly. But, some passengers were thrown out of their seats, colliding with the carriage and safety bars. Some were seriously injured and had lost consciousness".

Several visitors said the roller coaster - called "Snowy Eagle" - is one of the most popular amusement attractions in the park and the roller coaster has had launch failure and made passengers on board unable to leave it days before the accident happened, China Newsweek reported.

Opened to the public in 2012 and designed by the world-renowned roller coaster manufacturer S&S Worldwide, "Snowy Eagle" featured a world-class pneumatic launch system at that time. It is operated by Shenzhen Oct Happy Kingdom Tourism Company and is subject to routine maintenance by the Happy Valley Company with the most recent inspection conducted in June 2023.

The inspection lasted for over one month and included checking vehicles, tracks, and electrical components.

Currently, the joint accident investigation team has invited domestic experts to participate in the accident investigation and equipment inspection within the park as the specific cause of the accident needs to be further investigated.

Officials said the joint investigation team will take appropriate actions regarding responsible organizations and individuals in accordance with the law. It will also carry out hazard inspections and rectification in all the tourist attractions and special equipment within the entire region.

According to Beijing Tianyancha Technology Co., Ltd, Happy Valley Shenzhen has been subjected to administrative penalties by the Market Supervision Bureau of Nanshan District on two occasions.

In 2008, it was fined 200,000 yuan (roughly $ 27.334) for rear-end sightseeing train collision . While in June 2023, it was fined 30,000 yuan for illegal activities relating to special equipment within the park.

(Global Times)

Shenzhen's Happy Valley ordered to suspend operations following roller coaster incident