Horrifying Moment Captured on CCTV
A Swedish court has been shown chilling CCTV footage of the moment Karin Elmegard was thrown from a rollercoaster during a catastrophic accident at Gröna Lund theme park in Stockholm.
The video, presented during the trial that began on 10 November, depicts the nightmare incident from 25 June 2023. It shows children and families fleeing in terror as the support arm on the Jetline rollercoaster broke, causing the train to stop abruptly and partially derail.
A Survivor's Harrowing Account
Karin Elmegard and her husband, Mikael, were seated in the last car when the disaster struck. ‘It was horrifying to see my wife fall out of the car, especially from such a height,’ Mikael told local media.
He managed to grab onto a beam, but Karin plummeted six metres (20 feet) to the ground below. ‘When I saw her lying on the ground, her face covered in blood, I didn’t know if she had survived,’ he recounted. ‘It was a terrible impact.’
Karin herself recalled the terrifying moments before the fall, seeing an object drop from one of the cars and the ensuing panic. ‘I remember falling towards the grass, with it rushing up at me at a terrifying speed,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I would have survived if I had fallen onto something harder, like the tracks.’
Legal Repercussions and Ongoing Struggle
The accident resulted in the death of a woman in her 30s from her injuries. Nine other people were injured.
Prosecutors allege that Gröna Lund deviated from safety requirements for ride components. They are seeking a corporate fine of 18 million SEK (£1.45 million).
All three companies involved deny any wrongdoing, and Gröna Lund has so far refused to pay compensation to the victims.
Despite undergoing surgery, Karin continues to struggle with simple everyday tasks following the accident. Her recovery involved a physically painful and mentally exhausting hospital stay.
‘It’s really hard to watch that footage, but what’s even harder is seeing my beloved being lifted down from that beam, sitting there all alone, not knowing where I had gone,’ she said.
Mikael added: ‘We’re glad this trial is finally underway so we can settle the question of responsibility once and for all. We feel it’s important that someone is held accountable. This should never be allowed to happen.’
