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(Image: TWITTER)

Horrified witnesses said the Tsunami ride at M&D's amusement park in Motherwell, near Glasgow, had been full when it derailed and plunged 20ft.

Visitors posted harrowing images on social media appearing to show a mangled carriage on a pathway surrounded by dozens of panicked people.

In one chilling image, children can be seen trapped upside down in their seats on the carriage, with their legs protruding into the air.

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed officers had attended the scene on Sunday at about 3.40pm.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said six ambulance crews and a specialist operation team took eight children and two adults to hospital after the shocking crash.

According to the M&D's website, the Tsunami ride can go at speeds of up to 40mph through corkscrew turns.

Children under 10 are not allowed to use the ride, and under 14s must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Katie Burns said she had just finished riding the Tsunami rollercoaster and was walking past when the carriage crashed with kids on board.

(Image: SWNS.COM)

(Image: SWNS.COM)

On Facebook, she said: "Literally got off the Tsunami at M&Ds and then walking past and the next lot of people get on and the full thing goes off the tracks.

"Honestly never been so scared in my life, with this weather they should not be on.

"Kids and adults are still on it upside down, it's like something out a horror film, children crying and everything.

"Literally can't believe this, my heart goes out to everyone on it, a full load came off the track but and on the pavement, like a horror film worse thing ever heard and seen, can't get over this."

In a statement, M&D's theme park said: "A serious incident occurred at M&D's today involving the tsunami rollercoaster.

We have all emergency services on site to assist. The theme park is closed until further notice."

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, said: "Awful news coming from M&Ds. Deeply concerning — our thoughts are with those affected and with emergency responders."

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in this terrible incident at M&D's theme park, especially those injured."

In 2011, nine people were rescued from the same ride after being trapped for eight hours.

They were stranded 60ft from the ground.

Last year, four people were seriously injured after carriages on The Smiler rollercoaster collided at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire.