Gröna Lund Accepts Court Ruling Over Fatal Jetline Roller Coaster Accident, Will Not Appeal

Gröna Lund amusement park has decided not to appeal the Stockholm District Court's ruling imposing a 5.2 million kronor corporate fine following the fatal Jetline roller coaster accident on June 25, 2023. The tragedy involved the death of a woman and injuries to several others due to a failure in the roller coaster’s support arm. CEO Jan Eriksson stated that the decision not to prolong the legal proceedings was made out of respect for the victims and their families, emphasizing the park’s sorrow and responsibility.

The court found Gröna Lund responsible for causing another's death but did not award damages to victims, judging the offenses as not severe enough. The accident's root cause was traced to a critical failure in the roller coaster arm, which was poorly manufactured by Göteborgs Mekaniska, a company lacking necessary certification for amusement ride components and found liable for welding errors. Göteborgs Mekaniska was fined 1.3 million kronor, while the other implicated company, Mekosmos, was acquitted.

The State Accident Investigation Board (SHK) criticized Gröna Lund for a poorly managed procurement process, specifically citing a faulty order placed in 2019. SHK suggested that closer oversight and communication with suppliers might have prevented the defect. In response, Gröna Lund's management acknowledged the need to rethink their supplier relationships to improve safety standards and prevent similar incidents.

CEO Eriksson expressed that the company would carry the lasting burden of this tragedy and underlined their commitment to learning from this event. The decision not to appeal signifies Gröna Lund’s intent to move forward and avoid extending the distress for all affected parties. As the ruling stands, it reflects increased legal accountability for amusement park safety in Sweden and may influence tighter regulatory oversight going forward.