The family of 18-year-old Reykjavík resident Andri Freyr Sveinsson, who died when falling from a roller coaster in the amusement park Terra Mítica in Benidorm, Spain, on July 7, has released a statement, describing the course of events.
The below statement was posted on visir.is.
“Originally the family intended to stay in Spain for 28 days. We went to Terra Mítica on the seventh day … where the whole family had spent the day. The accident occurred in the roller coaster ‘Inferno’ where Andri Freyr was seated at the back along with his friend and younger sister.
“At the end of the ride, at a height of approximately 15 meters (49 feet), all safety equipment for his seat gave way and he fell from the roller coaster. A Norwegian doctor, who was also on the roller coaster, provided him with first aid along with the park’s staff.
“There was no ambulance at the park and we had to wait for it for 20-25 minutes. When the ambulance finally arrived our son died inside the vehicle, while it was still in the park, and therefore Andri Freyr was never taken to hospital.
“All the children who were with us have now been taken to their parents in Iceland where they will be provided with assistance because of the terrible events they sadly witnessed. Andri Freyr’s father and stepmother remained in Torrevieja to take care of matters and bring Andri Freyr home.”
In the statement, the deceased’s family also asks that the media be careful in its coverage of the event, not reporting on unconfirmed rumors.
They thank all those who have shown support and assisted them, especially CEO of Wow Air Skúli Mogensen, the airline’s staff and Sveinn Arnar Nikulásson, representative of the association of house owners in Spain.
