On the evening of August 13, 2025, a day that began with laughter and excitement at Coney Beach Pleasure Park in Porthcawl, Wales, ended in chaos and alarm after a popular children’s ride derailed, injuring over a dozen visitors. The incident, which involved the Wacky Worm ride—a small, introductory roller coaster described by the park as “the perfect first thrill ride for the kids”—left thirteen children and one adult with minor injuries, seven of whom required hospital treatment, according to statements from South Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service.
The accident unfolded just before 6:00pm BST, as families enjoyed the seaside attractions at the century-old amusement park. Witnesses reported a sudden, deafening bang, followed by scenes of confusion and distress. Rebecca Eccleston, a 22-year-old mother from Llantwit Major, was at the park with her young son and a group of friends when disaster struck. “It was all fine and the kids were enjoying themselves then all of a sudden there was a massive bang,” she told BBC News. “I turned and the metal railing had fallen on to my right shoulder and my pram.”
Ms. Eccleston’s one-year-old son, Theo, who was in the pram at the time, escaped with only a few bruises. “If it wasn’t for my mate it would’ve been a totally different story because the metal railing was on top of my pram. She stopped the impact with her shoulder,” Eccleston recounted, her relief palpable. The chaos that followed was underscored by the cries and screams of children, as bystanders rushed to help. “One car at the back of the ride had derailed itself completely. No-one could get out and obviously my mate’s partner ran straight away to go and get the kids,” she recalled.
Images shared on social media and published by outlets such as Metro and Wales News Service showed the tip of the worm-themed roller coaster hanging precariously off the tracks, a scene that quickly drew emergency services to the area. According to the Welsh Ambulance Service, the response was swift and robust: “We sent three emergency ambulances, three Cymru high acuity response unit paramedics, two duty operational managers and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene. Seven patients were taken to hospital by ambulance for further treatment.”
Eyewitnesses described seeing children with bloodied noses and other minor injuries. In one particularly harrowing account, Ms. Eccleston said a child “had to be rushed to hospital because he lost his teeth on the bars” of the Wacky Worm ride. Videos circulating online showed adults helping frightened children off the derailed carriages, while police and paramedics worked to secure the area and tend to the injured.
South Wales Police quickly moved to control the situation, urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services unfettered access. “Officers and other emergency services are in attendance at Coney Beach Amusement Park, Porthcawl, Bridgend, following an accident involving one of the rides. Please avoid the area to allow emergency services access. More updates will be made available when appropriate,” a police spokesperson told Swansea Bay News.
As news of the incident spread, hundreds of visitors began queuing for refunds, with many expressing shock and concern over the accident. The park, in a statement released on social media and echoed by several news organizations, clarified that the Wacky Worm ride was a “third-party ride not owned by Coney Beach.” The statement continued: “Due to an incident on a third-party ride not owned by Coney Beach, we were instructed by the police to clear the site for further investigation. We apologise for the disruption and will be providing refunds to affected guests as soon as possible. We will be releasing instructions on refunds shortly. We thank you for your cooperation.”
The police, for their part, confirmed that the amusement park would remain closed on August 14, 2025, as officers and health and safety investigators examined the scene. “The amusement park will remain closed tomorrow while officers and health and safety personnel carry out their investigation,” South Wales Police said. The closure, though temporary, comes at a time when the park is already facing a major transition; Coney Beach, a fixture of Porthcawl’s waterfront for over a century, is slated to close permanently in October 2025 to make way for the Porthcawl Waterfront Regeneration Project. The redevelopment, a joint initiative by Bridgend Council and the Welsh Government, aims to transform the site into a modern community with 1,100 new homes, shops, restaurants, and green spaces.
In the hours following the accident, the park’s management worked to reassure affected families. “We apologise for the disruption and will be providing refunds to affected guests as soon as possible,” the park reiterated. Many families, shaken but grateful that the injuries were not more severe, echoed a sense of relief that the incident had not resulted in fatalities. Still, the emotional toll was evident. For parents like Ms. Eccleston, the day’s events were a stark reminder of the unpredictable risks that can accompany even the most innocent outings.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about how a third-party ride at a well-known amusement park could fail so dramatically. The Wacky Worm, marketed as a safe and gentle introduction to roller coasters for children, is a popular feature at fairs across the UK. Its derailment at Coney Beach has prompted calls for heightened scrutiny of ride maintenance and safety inspections, particularly for attractions operated by external vendors.
Emergency services, local authorities, and the Health and Safety Executive are now tasked with determining the cause of the derailment and ensuring that similar incidents are prevented in the future. For the families affected, the priority is recovery—and perhaps a bit of healing from the shock. For Coney Beach, the incident casts a shadow over its final season, but also serves as a sobering reminder of the enduring importance of safety in public entertainment spaces.
The seaside town of Porthcawl, known for its vibrant funfair and welcoming atmosphere, now faces a period of reflection and investigation. As the summer crowds thin and the waterfront prepares for its next chapter, the community’s focus remains firmly on the well-being of those injured and the lessons to be learned from a day that no one will soon forget.
