A rollercoaster accident at a Disneyland theme park in California on 5 September has left one man dead and 10 people injured.

According to officials, the accident occurred on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at around 1120 local time (1820 GMT).

The cause of the accident is still being established but it is believed that the accident happened when the locomotive derailed and disconnected from the rest of the train.

Officials remain unsure as to why the disconnection occurred, but have confirmed that it will be part of the investigation.

The computer-controlled ride – which has a maximum capacity of 32 people and opened in 1979 – was in full operation at the time of the accident. The man who was killed in the accident has not been identified but died at the scene. The area around the ride remains closed and sealed off.

According to CNN, Disneyland will be offering counselling to all those who were involved in the accident if needed. Reuters news agency quoted park president, Cynthia Harris, as saying: “We are shocked and saddened by this incident. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of those involved.”

A UK spokesperson for Disney said: “The cause of death is still being investigated and we are awaiting more information from Disneyland California. At this stage, we don’t have any more information to release until the investigations have been completed.”