Edinburgh funfair closes after children injured in waltzer crash

A funfair in Edinburgh has closed early after three children were injured when part of a ride came loose and crashed into a speaker.

Operators of the Galactic Carnival at Westside Plaza in Wester Hailes said they had taken the decision to shutter the attraction following the incident on the waltzer ride on Saturday evening.

The children, aged seven, 12 and 13, were taken to hospital for treatment on minor injuries but were subsequently released.

Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are investigating.

The children’s father said the ride was going at “full pelt” when the car carrying the siblings detached.

He said the carriage crashed against the one behind, which he was in, before going off the side of the track and colliding with a large speaker.

He said: “Thankfully there was a heavy, large speaker that they collided with or they would have been through the whole thing and then the ending would have been a different story, a thought I can’t stop thinking about.”

Galactic Carnival apologised to the family involved and said the event would be “closed to assist in any investigation”.

The said all rides underwent “extensive safety testing” and were inspected by the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS).

They said: “We are truly sorry for the distress caused by the incident at our event. Public safety at our events has always been, and continues to be, our top priority.

“This incident is now being investigated by third party inspection bodies and the HSE.

“We have decided to close the event to allow for investigation to take place.”

Tickets for future dates will be refunded automatically.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said inquiries were ongoing.

In a statement, the HSE added: “HSE is aware of the incident and making inquiries.”