Trial Opens Over Fatal Gröna Lund Roller Coaster Accident with $18M Liability Claims

The court trial has commenced concerning the tragic accident on June 25, 2023, at Gröna Lund amusement park, where a support arm on the Jetline roller coaster broke, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to nine others. The prosecutor has filed claims totaling 18 million kronor, seeking fines of 12 million kronor for Gröna Lund and 3 million kronor each for two subcontractors involved in maintaining the ride.\n\nGröna Lund's CEO Jan Eriksson expressed a deep sense of responsibility but denied the park's full culpability, stating, "We do not share the prosecutor's description in all respects." Investigations revealed that cracks in the support arm were known since 2019, yet the component was not adequately inspected despite orders for new parts. The State Accident Investigation Board identified significant shortcomings in the delegation of work to subcontractors, particularly a lack of clear requirements given by Gröna Lund to Mekosmos AB, which subcontracted Göteborgs Mekaniska Werkstad — responsible for inadequate welding work. Göteborgs Mekaniska Werkstad recently filed for bankruptcy and disputes responsibility.\n\nFollowing the trial, Jetline will be dismantled after the current season, with future developments planned for that area but not yet disclosed. Eriksson emphasized safety as paramount and expressed hopes that the legal process will clarify the facts surrounding the incident.