Survivors Testify in Court After Deadly Roller Coaster Incident at Gröna Lund

The trial concerning the tragic accident at Gröna Lund amusement park continued this week, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the fatal derailment of the Jetline roller coaster. Court proceedings included the presentation of surveillance footage that documented the incident, allowing judges and attendees to observe the sequence of events leading up to the accident, during which a woman lost her life after falling from the ride.

Testimonies were heard from those directly affected by the incident. Family members of the deceased provided their accounts behind closed doors for privacy. Karin Elmegard, who survived a serious fall during the derailment, described recalling the moment she fell approximately six meters and sustained critical injuries. Despite enduring severe physical harm, she credited her survival to landing on a patch of grass rather than a harder surface, such as the ride's rails.

While injured on the ground, Elmegard saw her husband, Mikael, who had managed to cling to a beam above. This sight offered her some reassurance amidst the chaos. According to her testimony, no amusement park staff were immediately present at the scene, but a bystander who was a firefighter and another parent provided first aid before emergency services arrived. Elmegard's recovery has been lengthy and marked by both physical and psychological challenges, including distressing hallucinations during her hospital stay.

Mikael Elmegard also shared his experience, explaining how both he and Karin were ejected from the ride carriage simultaneously. He managed to pull himself to safety on a beam and observed his wife lying injured below, feeling helpless as others responded to her injuries. The incident left lasting trauma for those involved.

Other witnesses included a father who suffered significant injuries during the sudden stop of the roller coaster. He expressed his gratitude towards another parent who helped calm his frightened daughter, who has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the experience.

Gröna Lund's management, represented by the CEO, publicly acknowledged the park's responsibility for the incident, while also contesting legal liability and the payment of damages to victims. Legal representatives for the affected parties questioned the consistency of the company's statements regarding its responsibility, especially in light of their refusal to compensate those injured.

The prosecution argued that the actions of three companies, including the amusement park and two other entities, contributed to the accident. Authorities are now seeking a combined 18 million SEK in corporate fines from the implicated organizations. The court will continue reviewing evidence and testimonies as it determines accountability and potential penalties related to the fatal accident at Gröna Lund.