A DEER was killed after being hit by Europe’s longest rollercoaster yesterday while theme park visitors were on the ride.
Shocked passengers were reportedly showered with blood when the train hit the young animal at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, around 11.30am yesterday. (Saturday, September 27.) A spokeswoman for Lightwater Valley said: “We can confirm a young deer did unfortunately get hit by the Ultimate train yesterday and was killed instantly.
“There is a large perimeter fence surrounding the theme park but occasionally wild animals do manage to stray onto the park during the night.
“After the incident the Ultimate was closed for 30 minutes whilst the ride was thoroughly checked and then normal operation resumed.”
It is not the first time a deer has been killed by the rollercoaster.
In June 1994, a deer from the nearby forest strayed onto the track, and was hit by the train. A 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital as a result of the accident.
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