Carnival closes after waltzer car carrying three kids crashes off fairground ride

A carnival in Edinburgh has shut after a malfunction saw a waltzer car break from the fairground ride and crash to the ground.

The father of the kids inside the car said they are “lucky they are still able to walk” after the incident.

Kevin McNulty’s children – aged 13, 12 and seven – were in a car on the ride at the Galactic Carnival fairground in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, when the crash took place on Saturday evening.

He said the ride was going “full pelt” when the mechanism holding their car broke off from the carousel and crashed into one he was riding in.

One of his children was filming the ride at the time of the crash and their screams were captured as they veered off towards a speaker.

The dad-of-three shared images on social media showing the car at the side of the ride.

Photos showed where the car broke free. Kevin McNulty

He said: “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 – a thought I can’t stop thinking about.

“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 added: “My kids are still in shock, and I just want for this to never happen again as the next people will not be as lucky as my kids were.”

In a statement on Monday, organisers Galactic Carnival Edinburgh confirmed the event has closed while an investigation is under way.

The organisers said it is “truly sorry for the distress caused by the incident”.

In a statement posted on social media, a spokesperson said: “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 go through this experience, and will be working tirelessly to assist in the ongoing investigation.

“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.

“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.”

Dr Scott Arthur, the MP of Edinburgh South West, wrote on X saying: “A few people have been in touch about an incident at the funfair, and I am in the process of raising it with the council.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.40pm on Saturday, May 10 2025, officers received a report of a carriage of a ride having come off tracks on Westside Plaza, Edinburgh.

“Three children were taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

“Enquiries into the full circumstances are ongoing.”

The Health and Safety Executive said it is aware of the incident and is making enquiries.

Edinburgh City Council has been approached for comment.