A HEALTH and safety probe has now been launched by police following a horror crash at a popular theme park.

Police confirmed 10 people - eight adults and two children - have been injured following the incident at M&Ds park in Motherwell today.

Officers confirmed five carriages forming a train on the Tsunami ride detached from the wheels, crashing on the main rollercoaster structure before hitting the ground around 3.50pm.

Chief Inspector David Bruce, of Police Scotland, spoke at the park earlier today and said: "At 3.49pm police and emergency services received a number of phonecalls about an incident at m&ds theme park.

"The intial information was that the rollercoaster had detached from its securing.

"Emergency services attended immediately and on arrival it became clear a series of five gondolas connected on a train on the Tsunami ride detached from the wheels, struck the structure and then struck the ground.

"As a result of this accident, 10 people have been injured; two adults and eight children.

"All the  casualties are in hospitals in Glasgow including the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and another casualty taken to Wishaw general.

"At this stage I’m not in a position to give you an update on any of the injuries as it’s very early, but we’ve now launched and inquiry between Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive."

A spokesman for M&D’s said: “As family-run business, our thoughts are with those who have been injured and their families. We wish everyone a full recovery.

“We are cooperating fully with Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on their joint investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.”