Several people were injured in an accident involving the "Vienna Roller Coaster," also known as the "Dwarf Train," in the Prater on Saturday afternoon. Two women, both 63 years old, were taken to the hospital by the emergency services with injuries, likely bruises. Three other passengers, two 39-year-old women and a 46-year-old man, did not need to be hospitalized after initial treatment. The carriage they were riding in derailed.

"Misjudgment by the Vehicle Operator"

"Due to a misjudgment by the vehicle operator," the train was too fast before the end of the ride, the operators of the roller coaster informed the APA. "Since the emergency brake was not activated, the first carriage derailed." The vehicle operator was, as intended, riding in the second carriage.

No children were involved in the accident. The operators immediately initiated the rescue chain. "It is emphasized that this regrettable incident was not due to a technical failure, but human error," it was stated, and: "We wish all those affected a speedy recovery." The emergency alert was received by the police at around 12:15 PM, and the police and rescue operation was concluded by around 1:30 PM.

The police did not yet have confirmed information on the cause of the accident in the Leopoldstadt district. "It does not appear to be due to third-party negligence," said police spokesman Markus Dittrich in response to an APA inquiry. This was indeed a consideration in another accident in the Prater, the derailment of a Liliputbahn locomotive almost exactly two years ago. The operators suspected sabotage in the April 7, 2024 incident, due to stones and metal pieces placed on the tracks. No one was injured at that time: Only the locomotive tipped over, while the carriages with passengers remained upright.

Built from 1948 to 1950

The facility now affected is considered one of the oldest active roller coasters in the world, built between 1948 and 1950, and one of the last old structures in the Vienna Wurstelprater. It is operated as a family business and is still preserved in its original state as a pure wooden construction with a conventional rail system and an accompanying brakeman. The approximately 450-meter-long track runs through an artificial scenery meant to replicate the Großglockner. It owes its nickname "Dwarf Train" to some garden gnomes placed along the route.

(APA/Red)

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