A roller coaster has crashed at M&D's theme park leaving ten people, including eight children, injured.

One carriage of the Tsunami roller coaster, which was filled with children, derailed at the park, near Motherwell in North Lanarkshire on Sunday.

After the carriage derailed members of the public rushed to help remove those trapped from the wreckage.

A man who gave first aid to children at the scene said they were aged between ten and 15.

James Millerick told STV News: "A carriage from the Tsunami ride had fallen off completely and scraped through a metal gate.

"The roller coaster was full at the time. There were at least eight people on the roller coaster at the time, with a variety of injuries."

He continued: "People were trapped underneath because it had fallen upside down.

"It was at least ten metres high when it derailed. It went straight through the metal gate, crushing it."

Police Scotland confirmed the injuries saying all have now been taken to hospital.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, chief inspector David Bruce said police received numerous calls at 3.49pm.

He said: "Along with other emergency services we attended immediately and on arrival it became clear that a series of five gondolas connected on a train on the Tsunami ride have detached from the rails, struck the superstructure and then struck the ground.

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

He continued: "They (the gondolas) fell less than 20 feet. It would appear that they have been coming round a bend and at that point it has detached.

"At this stage it's very, very early in the inquiry and we are still taking witness statements but the gondola had been in operation on the roller coaster and it would appear that it has been coming round a bend."

In a later statement, he added that police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had begun a joint investigation into the incident.

Chf insp Bruce said: "Our thoughts are with the families of those injured. A joint investigation by Police Scotland and HSE is now under way.

"I would appeal for any witnesses who have not yet come forward to please call 101."

A spokeswoman for M&D's said: "A serious incident occurred at M&D's today involving the Tsunami roller coaster.

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

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

Posting 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."

She posted an image of one of the roller coaster wheels on the pavement.

It is understood that the Tsunami ride was closed to the public for maintenance on Saturday.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said six crews were called to the scene along with one special ambulance crew and their emergency doctors.