2 injured in California amusement park roller-coaster accident

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Two people were injured, one seriously, in a roller-coaster accident at California's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, officials said Saturday.

A park employee was hospitalized for traumatic injuries after being struck by a train returning to the station of the Flight Deck coaster Friday night, park officials said in a statement.

A guest riding the coaster at the time reported a hand injury and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to the statement. Further details about the accident and the injuries were not immediately available.

The roller coaster will remain closed until the investigation is complete. Park officials said there was no reason to believe the ride malfunctioned, but that they are working closely with local and state authorities.

The accident occurred the same day a 10-year-old girl was airlifted to a hospital when she was found unconscious after riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California.

The girl and a parent were transported by helicopter Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. There was no word Saturday on her condition or whether it's related to the ride.

The girl was found breathing but unconscious after riding the Revolution, according to a statement from the amusement park in Valencia.

The 113-foot high looping steel coaster reaches speeds of 55 mph during a two-minute ride. The Revolution was cleared to reopen shortly after the incident, Six Flags Magic Mountain spokeswoman Sue Carpenter said.

On the East Coast, authorities said three children suffered minor injuries after an accident involving a carnival roller coaster ride in Waterville, Maine.

The children were among numerous carnival-goers on the "Dragon Wagon" ride when it came apart Friday evening, New England Cable News reported. One of the young victims was taken to a hospital.

The cause of the accident was under investigation, police said.