Woman seriously injured after falling from ride at Hilversum carnival
A visitor at the Hilversum carnival was seriously injured on Monday afternoon after falling from a ride. The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at the Marktplein, where the carnival is being held. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately after the accident, according to De Telegraaf.
The incident took place at the Energizer ride, a popular attraction that spins and swings visitors through the air. Witnesses reported that a woman fell from the ride, though the exact height from which she fell remains unclear. The ride was immediately shut down by police, who cordoned off the area with barriers and tape, while other rides continued to operate.
Paramedics and firefighters were first on the scene, and a trauma team was later dispatched by helicopter. The injured woman was placed on a stretcher, and white screens were set up by the fire department to shield her from public view. She was then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Her condition is still unknown at this time, and authorities have not provided further details about her injuries.
The carnival, held on the central square of Hilversum, was crowded with visitors, especially young people, when the accident occurred. The police are interviewing bystanders and gathering statements to determine how the incident took place. The area around the Energizer ride remains closed, and other carnival attractions continue to operate as usual.
Mayor Gerhard van den Top said, "I am deeply shocked by the news of the accident. I hope the victim will recover." A spokesperson for the carnival’s organizers said the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has launched an investigation into the incident. "We deeply regret this event and sympathize with the victim. This appears to be an isolated incident, which is why the other attractions remain open for now," the spokesperson said.
