Staffordshire, UK - Tragedy has struck the amusement industry once again after a woman collapsed and died after riding a thrill ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, UK. According to UK news source Bourne Local, the woman, Carla Knight from Barwell, was at the park this past Friday, August 3, when she suffered a heart attack and cardiac arrest and passed away after riding the Maelstrom thrill ride.

A call came in around 11:35 am that a guest had collapsed at the ride. On-site first aid teams arrived and immediately began administering CPR, along with an off-duty doctor, in hopes of returning her heart rate. Lissy Goodyear told Bourney Local “they stopped the ride to get her off and put her on the floor. I don’t think there was very much they could do.” It seems the woman lost consciousness while riding, so staff immediately shut down the ride to help her. Sadly, the 42-year-old mother of two could not be saved.

The Maelstrom ride is a giant swinging pendulum ride which faces riders outward on a spinning gondola, a ride very similar to the more well-known Max-Air at Cedar Point or Delerium at Kings Island, but built by another manufacturer. The ride swings riders to a height of just over 70 feet, spinning them as they go for an added thrill. The ride was immediately shut down during the police investigation, but no suspicious activity was suspected.

According to IOL News, Knight was a school respite carer for children with severe learning disabilities. She was at the park with some of her friends/colleagues from the school, but leaves behind her two children, Rosie (14) and Aaron (17). Knight was also known for her support with charities such as Breast Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support. Her neighbors added “Carla was a devoted mother and a kind and considerate woman.” The park and countless others have sent their condolences to the family.

No further details have been given as to whether or not Knight had any pre-existing conditions or if the incident was simply a freak accident. Thoughts and condolences go out to her friends, family, and the many others she seems to have undoubtedly touched during her life.