Organisers confirmed the event would be closed while an investigation takes place.
14:31, 12 May 2025Updated 14:39, 12 May 2025
An Edinburgh fairground has closed down and issued an apology after a waltzer came off the tracks and crashed at high speed with kids inside.
On Saturday, May 10, dad-of-three Kevin McNulty and his partner Brooke were with his children, Kayla, 13, Leona, 12, and Codie, 7, at Galactic Carnival in Westside Plaza Wester Hailes, when the terrifying incident occurred.
Panic soon set in while the children were enjoying the waltzer ride. While the cars spun around at pace, Kevin’s kids’ car came off the track. The children could be heard screaming in terror in the footage, with the clip ending as the car came to a stop and Kevin raced around to be with his children.
Organisers, Galactic Carnival, have now apologised to the family and announced that their event will be closed while an investigation takes place.
Their statement read: “We know that there is news circulating following an incident on our Waltzer ride at Galactic Carnival Edinburgh over the weekend. First aid attended immediately and was offered to those involved in the incident and no ambulance was required.
“Galactic Carnival sincerely apologises to the families who had to go through this experience, and will be working tirelessly to assist in the ongoing investigation.
The children on the ride in Edinburgh. (Image: Supplied)
“We are truly sorry for the distress caused by the incident at our event. Public safety at our events has always been, and continues to be, our top priority.
“All rides at our events undergo extensive safety testing in line with government guidelines, including daily safety checks, and are also inspected by an independent third party safety inspection body (ADIPS). This incident is now being investigated by third party inspection bodies and the Health and Safety Executive.
“We have decided to close the event to allow for investigation to take place. All tickets purchased for future dates will be refunded automatically through our ticketing agent Skiddle. Once again we are truly sorry for the distress this has caused.”
Speaking to the Record, Kevin explained how he was in the car behind with Brooke when the incident happened. He said: “I just noticed the children’s car spinning our way, but it didn’t stop and just smashed off us and then went flying past.
Galactic Carnival’s waltzer ride
“I didn’t think and just jumped up and off the ride while it was still going at full pelt without even thinking. I ran around towards where the car had landed and thankfully they were alright and hadn’t suffered any injuries.
“Even today I am still in complete shock. I feel sick just thinking about it and how bad it could all have gone. We are all just extremely lucky that the children weren’t badly hurt.”
Posting about the incident initially, Kevin said: “Last night we were at these shows at Wester Hailes plaza…my three kids were on the waltzers and then the unthinkable happened.
“Going full pelt and not slowing down their car came completely off and then went flying into our car and then smashed about the place crashing into the side off the track.
“Thankfully there was a heavy large speaker that they collided with or they would have been through the whole thing and then the ending would have been a completely different story. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
He continued: “The shows continued to go, but not the waltzers. The place should have been shut down for a full inspection. It was like something you see in the movies and my kids are very, very lucky that they managed to get out of this still walking.”
He asked: “Any shares or advice on who/how to speak with to take this further would be massively appreciated!”
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