Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Crashes, Leaving 15 Injured
A tram accident at Universal Studios Hollywood injured 15 riders on Saturday night, authorities said.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department units were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. PT to the theme park, the department said in a social media post. A total of 15 people sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
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In a statement to Variety, a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson confirmed “there was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries.”
“We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident,” the spokesperson added.
The California Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, released a report on the collision Sunday evening. While making a left turn, the tram’s last car “collided with a metal guardrail on the right side of the roadway causing it to tilt and eject multiple passengers from the tram,” the reported stated.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but “alcohol and drugs are not considered to be a factor in this crash,” the CPH said.
A spokesperson for Universal Studios Hollywood issued another statement Sunday evening, saying, “Our thoughts continue to be with the guests who were involved, and we are thankful that based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor. We are working closely with public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, as we continue our review of the incident and safety remains a top priority. We have resumed Studio Tour operations with a modified route and are reinforcing our operational and safety protocols.”
Universal Studios Hollywood operates multi-car trams for its World-Famous Studio Tour. The one-hour tour takes visitors behind the scenes of the Universal Studios lot, where films and television shows like “Nope,” “Back to the Future,” “Desperate Housewives,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and more were filmed. The ride is also known for King Kong 360 3-D, one of the world’s largest 3-D experiences, and the “Jaws” shark attack. Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the attraction beginning next week.
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