Teens injured in Newtown funfair 'barrier' incident

An inquiry has been launched after two people were injured on a fairground ride in Mid Wales when a barrier apparently came loose.

The teenagers were taken to hospital after complaining of back and head pains and blurred vision following the incident in Newtown. Another 14-year-old went to hospital for a check-up.

It is understood up to 10 young people were on the Spider ride at a funfair in the town when the incident happened on Saturday night. The fair had set up on part of the town's Back Lane car park.

The Health and Safety Executive today said it was aware of the incident and an investigation had been launched.

A spokesman for the HSE confirmed that two girls were treated at hospital for minor injuries.

The Welsh Ambulance Service was called to the scene and took two casualties complaining of back pain to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Lorna Cartmell, whose 14-year-old daughter was on the ride with a 15-year-old friend, said the Spider ride was made up of four spinning arms.

She said they did not crash to the floor, but people had to be helped to safety and were shaken up.

Mrs Cartmell said: "My daughter said the ride was building up speed when there was a jolt and the seats people were sat in fell a bit."

Mrs Cartmell said she took her daughter to Newtown hospital for a check-up because she was complaining of back pain.

The ambulance service said it was called to the scene in Back Lane car park shortly after 8pm.

A spokesman said: "It is believed a crash barrier had come loose on one of the rides.

"There were two casualties, both complaining of back pain, head pain and blurred vision. They were taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital."

Two fire crews from Newtown were called to the scene but they were not required.

Dyfed-Powys Police said today the incident was not a criminal matter.

A spokesman added that police had informed the Health and Safety Executive.