A TEENAGE fun park worker has lost his fight for life after plunging 80ft from a ride.

Mark Blackwood, 18, suffered horrific injuries when he fell from the Rat' ride at Loudoun Castle Theme Park in Galston, East Ayrshire, on Sunday morning. Mark, of Samson Avenue, Kilmarnock, was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital but died yesterday.

It's believed he was at the fun park on his day off but stepped in and tried to fix the ride, which had passengers on it, after it suddenly came to a halt.

Mark tried to push free a stuck carriage with a family inside - but the ride started to move again and he was dragged to the highest point. He lost his grip and plunged to the ground.

A police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an 18-year-old man died in hospital following an incident at Loudoun Castle.

"A report will be prepared for the procurator fiscal and the Heath and Safety Executive has been made aware."

It is understood Mark worked as a fairground operator and was not a maintenance worker.

The theme park was closed yesterday, with a note on the gate saying it was shut "out of respect for a colleague".

Henk Bembom, director of Loudoun Castle, said everyone's thoughts were with Mark's family.

He added: "An investigation has been started by Health and Safety. The ride concerned was in a good operating condition."

The theme park was open today but a Health and Safety Executive spokesman said park bosses had decided to close the ride.

The spokesman added: "The ride has been closed voluntarily while our investigations continue, which could well be for the next few days.

"We are trying to find out exactly what happened."

Today Mark's parents were too upset to talk about the death of their son, described by locals as a friendly, well-mannered young man.

Mark, a former pupil at Kilmarnock's Grange Academy, had only moved to the area within the last year.

One neighbour said: "Mark seemed a very pleasant, friendly young man."