15 people have been injured and taken to hospital after a Studio Tour tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood on Saturday (20 April).
The crash was confirmed on social media by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which said at 9.05pm its units were “dispatched to a tram accident where 15 patients were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries”.
It added: “CHP [California Highway Patrol] will be the lead investigatory agency for all further inquiries.”
Studio Tour operations resumed
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s lieutenant Maria Abal told the LA Times that a four-car tram had crashed. “There was some type of issue with the brakes. We don’t exactly know what yet.”
In a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter), Universal Studios Hollywood said: “Saturday night on the Studio Tour, a tram collided with a guard rail while making a left turn.
“Our thoughts continue to be with the guests who were involved, and we are thankful that based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor. We are working closely with public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, as we continue our review of the incident and safety remains a top priority. We have resumed Studio Tour operations with a modified route and are reinforcing our operational and safety protocols.”
The park’s Studio Tour attraction takes visitors on a backlot trip through authentic film and TV production studios. Guests experience a flash flood and earthquake, and meet King Kong and Jaws.
From this week, Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Studio Tour.
In more news, the park is converting the diesel-hydraulic engines in its fleet of 21 Studio Tour trams to electric to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution. The first four electric trams debuted in 2022.
Universal operates theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando, and in Japan, Beijing and Singapore.
Images courtesy of Universal
