Two persons were injured on Friday night when they plummeted about six feet from a rollercoaster ride at an amusement fair set up at the Esplanade Park in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Stabroek News learnt that a young man and a young woman were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital by workers of the Tom and Jerry Play Centre of Brazil, which operates the amusement fair after they fell from the rollercoaster around 10 pm.
The two did not suffer any fractures or broken bones but they were admitted to the institution for two days and treated for other injuries. Another person who was involved in the mishap calmly got up and said he was not hurt.
This newspaper spoke to an official of the Tom and Jerry Play Centre who wished to remain anonymous and he said the accident was a result of rain. According to him, visitors to the amusement park were told that they could not go on the rollercoaster until about one and a half hours after the rain had stopped. But he said just about half hour after it had stopped raining they insisted on riding, saying that they had already purchased their tickets for the ride.
The official said he did not let them go on right away but tested it by riding in it five times to make sure it was safe. He also said that other patrons used the ride seven times before the accident occurred.
He told Stabroek News that what had happened was unfortunate because the rollercoaster was one of the favourite rides. He said each ride had an employee who was responsible for checking it every day.
The park was closed immediately after the accident, but was back in operation the following night. And the rollercoaster which was not used until two days later still remained the most popular ride.
The amusement fair lasted one month in Corriverton and will be in New Amsterdam until this weekend. Officials said their next visit would be the Albion Community Centre Ground, before moving the fair to Georgetown. They said they had visited other countries before coming to Guyana and that had been the first mishap.
Other rides include the Ferris Wheel, Twister and Bumper Cars. There are also a number of rides for children.
