Thorpe Park visitor ‘stabs another ridegoer in the stomach’
Thorpe Park visitor ‘stabs another ridegoer in the stomach’: Police arrest two men in their 20s for attempted murder as panicked guests at theme park are locked down
- Thorpe Park was locked down for two hours after a male visitor was stabbed
- A park spokesman confirmed they were ‘seriously injured’ and taken to hospital
- Visitors took to Twitter to report a heavy police presence at the entrance
- Two men in their 20s have been arrested on suspicious of attempted murder
Published: 13:41 EDT, 18 July 2020 | Updated: 16:02 EDT, 18 July 2020
A Thorpe Park visitor in his 20s was rushed to hospital today with ‘serious injuries’ after he was slashed in the stomach by another themepark-goer.
The Surrey theme park was locked down between 4pm and 6pm after a visitor was ‘seriously injured’ in an altercation involving two groups on the bridge close to the exit, police said.
Two men in their twenties were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Visitors at the Surrey theme park originally said two people were injured during an attack at the site.
A spokesman for Thorpe Park told MailOnline: ‘A guest was seriously injured by another guest.’
South East Coast Ambulance Service said they were called to the theme park at 4.50pm following ‘reports of a person with an abdominal injury’.
Visitors at the Surrey theme park have claimed two people were injured during an attack at the site. Pictured, crowds forming. Thorpe Park has confirmed a visitor was ‘seriously injured’
I had to make a screen recording of my own video because the file is too big to load to Twitter, but this was the minute the police took down the screen at Thorpe Park pic.twitter.com/ggF1JFkynq
— ❤️🙏🏻Sophia🙏🏻❤️ (@SophiaPointe) July 18, 2020
The ambulance service tweeted: ‘We were call to attend Thorpe Park in Surrey at about 4.50pm following reports of a person with an abdominal injury. (sic)
‘On arrival, treated one person who was taken to a London Hospital. We have no further information.’
The injured visitor is now being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries and the incident is not been treated as terror-related.
Those inside the park tweeted that it had been closed with members of the public shut inside while police officer dealt with the scene.
The park has confirmed it reopened its exit gates at 6.12pm.
Emergency services rushed to the bridge at the main entrance to the park and photos from the scene showed a heavy police presence.
One shocked onlooker described seeing blood on the floor.
Another said: ‘Rides closed everyone was leaving but they had to hold everyone back so rides have reopened while the incident is dealt with. (sic).’
It is thought some visitors have gradually been allowed to leave.
Detective Inspector Andy Greaves said: ‘I’m keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who has video footage of this assault.
One visitor claimed ‘someone was stabbed on the bridge’. They said rides had been closed as everyone was leaving but then reopened again
South East Coast Ambulance Service said they were called to the theme park at 4.50pm following ‘reports of a person with an abdominal injury’
‘The two groups of people were close to the exit inside the park on the bridge when the assault took place.
‘We’re still trying to establish what has happened, however I’d like to stress that this incident is not being treated as terrorism-related at the current time.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to locate all those believed to have been involved. Officers will remain in the area for some time this evening and I’d like to thank Thorpe Park for their assistance and co-operation with our investigation.’
One social media user commented: ‘Some absolutely heartbreaking rumours coming out of Thorpe Park now.
‘Apparently a stabbing has occurred on the bridge.
‘The park has made the right decision to keep rides open whilst they deal with the situation. Stay safe everyone.’
An ambulance was pictured at the scene as visitors took to Twitter. They claimed there was a stabbing near the park entrance
A third added: ‘Unreal day at Thorpe Park! Leaving the park now and friends and I are all okay but something went down here today.
‘The police wouldn’t let any of us leave, they had a screen across the bridge which they’ve taken down, and had a police dog underneath the bridge.’
A spokesman for Thorpe Park revealed a fully trained medical team were on the scene ‘within minutes’.
They added: ‘The Resort’s security team and fully trained medical staff were at the scene within minutes and administered immediate care until emergency services teams arrived.
‘The Police were alerted immediately and the Resort is co-operating fully with their investigations.
‘The health, safety and security of our guests is our primary objective. We have an excellent security track record and have never had any incidents of this kind in over forty years.
‘Our staff are trained to respond to incidents of all size and scale, and the Resort’s security staff maintain regular patrols on site. CCTV cameras are also situated throughout the Resort.
‘We will be maintaining contact with both the injured guests’ family and the Police.’
Visitor Tony Stone told SurreyLive he was at Thorpe Park with his children – who were ‘concerned and upset’.
Mr Stone said: ‘I’m here with my children who are very concerned and upset.
‘We could see paramedics working on someone on the bridge. We have been told to come back in the park.’
Visitors took to Twitter after the incident. One described going through ‘one of the scariest things I have ever had to experience’
Another said: ‘There’s reports of a stabbing. The bridge has been cornered off with police tape and there was police dogs. Guests are slowly leaving via the other side of the bridge and all hotel guests are in the bar and restaurant.’
A visitor to the park today said: ‘Just left Thorpe Park after being locked in there after 2 hours due to a stabbing, who on earth takes a knife to a family theme park? Strange world we live in!!’
Another said: ‘If you’re at thorpe park right now, please stay safe and be respectful to the staff&management who are doing what they can to keep the rides running.’
Thorpe Park reopened after coronavirus lockdown on July 4 with a raft of safety measures in place.
