Girl's ride of death

A girl of 16 plunged 100ft to her death from a theme park's whiteknuckle water ride as her family looked on in horror yesterday.

Hayley Williams tumbled out of a carriage as it thundered near the top of the structure and was about to plummet down a nearvertical drop into a pool.

She landed in the pool and was terribly injured.

Another youngster aboard the ride, ten-year-old Martin Rothwell, also fell out - but suffered only slight head injuries.

Witnesses said the boy had got into difficulties and Hayley tried to help him, before both tumbled over the edge.

Only a few other people were in the 24-seater carriage, which is shaped as a boat. Riders are supposed to be secured by a waist harness and a restraining bar.

Police said both youngsters were enjoying a day out with their families, who witnessed the tragedy on the Hydro ride at the Oakwood Leisure Park in Narbeth, Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Hayley, from Pontypool, was airlifted to hospital, where she died. Martin, from Swansea, went by road to hospital and was later allowed home after treatment.

The £1.7million Hydro, opened two years ago, features nine-ton boats and a million gallons of water. It was built by a Swiss manufacturer and is the first ride of its type to incorporate an 85- degree angle - just five

degrees off the vertical - as carriages plunge into a one million gallon pool at around 50mph, creating a 45ft-high wave.

After the accident, the ride was closed, but police decided not to shut the park so that witnesses could be traced.

Last night, police and Health and Safety Executive investigators were trying to find out what caused Hayley's fall.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a full investigation into the tragedy, which happened at 3.46pm, was under way.

Inspector Phil Jones said: 'She fell some 100ft into the water below the ride and suffered extensive injuries.

'She was in company of other family members at the time. They were taken to be with her in hospital.'

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said three ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the scene and both children were taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said police were leading the investigation, but an HSE inspector had been sent to the theme park to help with the inquiry.

The Hydro is billed as 'Europe's fastest and wettest water coaster' and is 121ft at its highest point. One of 40 rides at the 60-acre, family-owned park, it is one of the most popular there. When the Hydro first arrived, it was welcomed by Oakwood's managing director, who said it would help them to keep up with the big competitor attractions, such as Alton Towers.

Last night, a leisure park spokesman refused to comment on the accident.