News

Several injured in Oakwood Theme Park ride incident

Published

1 year ago

July 10, 2024

A ROUTINE day at Oakwood Theme Park took a horrifying turn yesterday when the park’s ‘Bounce’ ride malfunctioned, resulting in multiple injuries. The popular drop tower ride experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure, plummeting to the ground during a scheduled emergency stop, and causing panic among the 20 riders onboard.

Witnesses reported hearing terrified screams as the 147ft-tall ride malfunctioned. The ride, which is designed to give thrill-seekers a stomach-churning drop, unexpectedly plunged from about halfway up, sending the lift hurtling towards the ground. Among the riders were several children, many of whom were described as “school-age.” Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with children “screaming and crying” as the ride’s descent accelerated.

One unnamed guest who was on the ride during the incident said, “It fell to the floor without slowing down. Children were screaming and crying as the ride went up and down a few times before it fell quickly to the ground from about halfway up the tower.”
Following the abrupt stop, the park’s emergency protocols were activated. Onsite first aiders quickly attended to the injured, with around eight individuals receiving immediate medical attention at the park. Four others were transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The nature of their injuries is not fully known, but initial reports indicated cases of lower back pain and shock.

Describing the park’s handling of the situation, the guest claimed it was “awful,” noting that assistance seemed limited to those who actively complained of pain. “There have been no apologies from the park,” they added. “They only gave information for guest relations because we asked for it to take it further after the fact we were told no management was available.”

Oakwood Theme Park, the largest theme park in Wales, which opened in 1987, has since issued a statement regarding the incident. “During operation today our drop tower ride Bounce experienced a programmed emergency stop procedure in response to the ride drop height,” the statement read. “The stoppage of the passenger gondola was attended to by our park team and the ride was lowered to the ground where guests were able to disembark. A number of guests reported minor lower back pain immediately after the occurrence and were attended to by our onsite team of first aiders, where assistance was provided. One group sought additional treatment locally, whilst others continued their day at the park. We have closed Bounce whilst we consult with the ride manufacturer.”

Bounce, a prominent feature at Oakwood, had only recently reopened in 2022 following a significant £400,000 refurbishment. The ride, known for its gravity-defying and stomach-lurching drops, had been closed since 2016 and was originally slated to reopen in 2019. However, the pandemic caused further delays, pushing the reopening to last year.

This incident is not the first time Oakwood has faced scrutiny over ride safety. In October 2022, the park made headlines when a man was hospitalised after falling out of a carriage on the

Treetops roller coaster. Despite this, the Health and Safety Executive found no faults with the equipment, and no action was taken against the park.

Tragically, in April 2004, 16-year-old Hayley Williams from Pontypool died after falling 100ft from Oakwood’s Hydro Ride. Her death led to calls for stricter safety regulations in theme parks across the UK.

An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the Bounce malfunction. Park officials have stated that they are working closely with the ride’s manufacturer to ensure such an incident does not occur again. In the meantime, Bounce remains closed to the public.

The incident has raised serious concerns among visitors and the local community regarding the safety protocols at Oakwood Theme Park. As the investigation continues, many will be watching closely to see how the park addresses these concerns and what measures will be put in place to prevent future accidents.

Sad to see the decline of our local theme park
THE RECENT malfunction of the Bounce at Oakwood has ignited a wave of public outcry and concern over the safety standards at Wales’ largest amusement park. The incident, which left several riders with injuries, has drawn strong reactions from the local community and beyond, as evidenced by comments on social media platforms.

Many locals expressed their shock and frustration over the incident, highlighting long-standing issues with the park’s maintenance and safety protocols. IJ Sturley commented, “Dangerous places, maintained poorly over the years, shortcuts lead to accidents,” reflecting a sentiment shared by many about the perceived decline in the park’s upkeep.

Dylan Connolly shared his relief at avoiding the park: “When I went there it was closed and now I’m glad it was.” This sentiment was echoed by Steven Absalom, who declared, “This is why I don’t go and won’t,” underscoring a growing reluctance among locals to visit the park due to safety fears.

Several individuals have called for the park to be shut down entirely or handed over to new management. Top fan Richard Shanks bluntly stated, “Shut it down its beyond a joke the amount of times something goes wrong.” Luciana Suardi added, “There is a reason why this place is the UK’s worst rated theme park, with all the accidents that have happened there, it needs shutting down.”

Jimmy Lemon reminisced about the park’s former glory, saying, “That place’s current owners are a shambles… put off here a while ago… wish it was owned by the McNamara family again… would soon return to a jewel not a pile of Cr..!” This sentiment was supported by Andrew Clewett, who noted, “This place was run to a very high standard when it was owned by the McNamara’s. So sad to see it in its current condition. Little to no investment.”

Concerned parents and former employees

Parents with children set to visit the park expressed heightened anxiety. Kelly Griffiths remarked, “Just what you want to hear when there’s a school trip next week. I was already apprehensive.” Similarly, Rebecca Doble questioned the safety of future visits: “Ysgol Dyffryn Taf is on a school trip there next week. Are you sure it’s safe?”

Former employees also weighed in on the situation. Kino Wakeman, who briefly worked as a maintenance technician, warned, “Only a matter of time before another fatality 100%” highlighting potential internal issues. Alan Boswell, another ex-employee, noted historical problems with the Bounce ride: “Always had trouble with Bounce. I worked there when it first came. Always breaking down.”

While the current state of the park drew harsh criticism, many commenters reminisced about the better days of Oakwood. Ky-Ky Goward shared, “Such a shame to see and hear it to be in the state it is now used to love going here back in the day as a kid growing up.” This nostalgic view was echoed by Sam Crowe: “Shame though I got some happy memories from childhood there.”

The immediate aftermath of the incident has left many questioning the future of Oakwood Theme Park. Top fan Sarah Davies emphatically stated, “That park should be CLOSED !!!” Gem Phillips questioned, “Why is it still open?”

Carol Griffiths raised an important point about regulatory oversight: “Surely the health & safety agency’s cannot condone this place, do they ever get checked by them..?” Meanwhile, practical suggestions were offered by some, such as Trixie Trixabell Edwards: “Give it to Bluestone! I’m sure they would actually update and look after the park as it’s been a dreadful mess since pfft 10+ years ago.”

As investigations continue, it is clear that the local community’s trust in Oakwood Theme Park has been significantly shaken. The public’s demand for increased safety measures, better maintenance, or even a complete overhaul of management reflects deep concerns over the park’s ability to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”