THERE will be no criminal prosecution in relation to an incident in which a 16-year-old girl from Pontypool plummeted to her death from a rollercoaster ride, police confirmed.

Hayley Williams, of Broadway, died after falling from the Hydro ride at Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire.

She had been enjoying an Easter break with family prior to her GCSE exams when tragedy struck.

A statement released by Dyfed Powys Police yesterday said that following a 21-month investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service advised there would be "no criminal prosecutions in relation to the incident".

"The next-of-kin have been informed of the decision, as well as appropriate parties," said the statement.

"The matter will now be subject of an inquest. The inquest will take place at the earliest opportunity."

Schoolgirl Hayley died after plunging 100 feet from the ride on April 15, 2004.

Swansea schoolboy Martin Rothwell, aged ten at the time, was hit in the head and injured by the teenager as she fell past him. A major police and Health and Safety Executive inquiry was launched into the tragedy, witnessed by dozens of horrified visitors.

The ride was later released to Oakwood Leisure Ltd. At the time of the tragedy the single boat on Hydro was fitted with seat belts and lap bars for the 24 riders.

Now over-the-shoulder restraints for each rider have been fitted at a cost of £137,000.

The ride will not start if any of the restraints is not properly secured. Those changes were the result of recommendations made by the Health and Safety Executive.

Although there will be no police prosecution, the HSE said its investigation was still ongoing.

"A lot of material is involved so we cannot say how long the investigation will take, but we will issue a statement as soon as it has concluded," he said.

If the HSE find the park guilty of any wrongdoing, then it could seek enforcement action through the courts.

A statement issued by the theme park said: "We have always had the very highest-quality standards and procedures at Oakwood and co-operated with the investigation.

"We therefore feel that the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute is the right decision.

"Our thoughts, as always, are with the family at this difficult time." The 121-foot-tall Hydro ride has been billed by the theme park as "Europe's fastest and wettest water coaster".

Its 24-seater boat drops down a near-vertical chute into a plunge pool at 50 miles an hour, creating a 45-foot wave.