A NORTH Yorkshire theme park has closed one of its rides after an 18-year-old high school student died and seven other people were injured, some critically, in a fun ride crash the USA.

The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ordered the closure of five high-speed rides at amusement parks in Britain following the incident at the Ohio State Fair, Columbo, yesterday.

Lightwater Valley was not among those affected, but voluntarily took the decision to close its pendulum-style ride, named Eagle’s Claw.

A spokesman for the theme park near Ripon said: “While there are fundamental and significant differences between our ride and the one involved in this terrible incident, we entirely support the HSE’s decision to not operate these types of rides in Great Britain until all the facts are known and a comprehensive investigation has taken place.

“Our ride has undergone the most stringent of safety checks, however as a precaution we strongly believe this is the correct and responsible thing to do. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is of paramount importance.”