Welcome to the world's most comprehensive source of amusement ride accident reports and related news.
RideAccidents.com is for nonprofit research and educational purposes only. The site has no affiliation
with any government agencies, amusement industry organizations, or consumer advocacy groups.
Visitors to this site include amusement ride inspectors, operators, supervisors, and maintenance
workers whose tasks include accident prevention. For these visitors, and for all visitors associated
with the amusement industry, this site is intended to serve as a resource that helps identify circumstances
that have either caused or contributed to accidents so that similar circumstances may be avoided.
To all visitors, the information at this site is openly reported with the purpose of bringing awareness
to the risks associated with amusement rides -- an awareness that will translate into
a safety-conscious respect for rides and a greater willingness to follow instructions,
procedures and warnings.
Please send questions, comments, and news to Jared Costanza at
rides911@aol.com.
Questions or comments may be sent to Jared Costanza at rides911@aol.com.
This website opened on October 17, 1996.
NEWS
Thanh Nien
Five injured in drop tower malfunction
(January 24, 2012) - At Van Huong Mai Amusement Park in Chau Phu District, An Giang Province, Vietnam,
five people were injured when a malfunction caused the gondola of a drop tower to fall about 50 feet.
The accident happened as the gondola was ascending to its drop position at the top of the tower.
The victims were treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.
The park has been ordered closed while police investigate.
Nine Network News, Australia
Another bungee cord snaps; jumper plunges into river
(December 31, 2011) - A 22-year-old Australian woman was seriously injured in a bungee jump from a bridge over the Zambezi River
on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border after the bungee cord snapped and she fell into the river 365 feet below.
The woman reported that she lost consciousness upon impact, but quickly regained her senses. Despite her injuries and
disorientation, she managed to avoid crocodiles as she swam through rapids with her legs still bound, until she reached the shore.
The bungee jump is operated by Safari Par Excellence.
Authorities temporarily shut down local bungee attractions for a safety audit of equipment and procedures.
(November 20, 2011) - A 13-year-old girl was thrown from a fair ride called the Cha Cha at the Lilydale Spring Show,
east of Melbourne, Australia. Reports indicate that the girl's safety bar may have malfunctioned or opened during the ride.
She was flung into a metal safety fence surrounding the ride, and was then struck by the ride when she tried to stand up.
She was hospitalized with deep cuts to her head, bruises, a swollen ankle, and a possible wrist fracture.
Two other teenagers received medical treatment for minor cuts.
According to WorkSafe Victoria, the ride did not meet Australian safety standards. WorkSafe notified the ride's owners
that they must install a secondary locking device on each seat's safety bar.
One killed, 9 injured after ride derails
(November 9, 2011) - At a carnival near Valenzuela City in the Philippines, a man who was riding a caterpillar-type ride with his family
was fatally injured after the ride derailed, ejecting him onto the tracks, where he became pinned.
Nine other riders were also ejected; they suffered only minor injuries.
The operator of the ride fled the scene, but was eventually apprehended and detained.
Authorities have ordered the carnival closed. The owner and ride operator are facing charges of negligence resulting in homicide.
(November 2, 2011) - At the State Fair of Louisiana, a 4-year-old boy suffered serious injuries when a kiddie ride accidentally started
while the ride operator was unloading passengers. The ride operator left the control panel active, with its key engaged, leaving the ride
powered and idling. As the operator was helping children exit the ride, a child who was standing in line to board the ride pressed the
start button on the control panel. The victim fell and became trapped underneath one of the ride's cars.
Rescue workers manually lifted the car to take some of its weight off of the child and help him breathe. He was left pinned for 20 minutes
while workers used the jaws of life to free him. He was hospitalized in critical condition.
The accident happened on a children's spinning car ride known as the Twin Rings, or Demolition Derby.
According to the state fire marshal's office, the operator should have turned the ride off when he left the control panel, rather then
leave it idling.
"Anytime the operator leaves the control panel the ride should be de-energized," said Butch Browning with the state fire marshal's office.
"Clearly the root cause is an unauthorized person, but the fact that the console was energized is a contributing factor."
The ride was damaged by the jaws of life and is inoperable. No citations or fines have been issued.
"The rides are safe, but many things have to happen for them to be safe," Browning said. "The human beings who operate the rides must follow the rules."
Disney World faulted in National Transportation Safety Board report
(October 31, 2011) - The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the July 5, 2009, collision between two monorails
at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, was the shop panel operator’s failure to properly position switch-beam 9 and the failure of
the monorail manager acting as the central coordinator to verify the position of switch-beam 9 before authorizing the reverse movement of the Pink monorail.
Contributing to the accident was Walt Disney World Resort’s lack of standard operating procedures leading to an unsafe practice when reversing trains on its
monorail system.
The Local Europe
Fair ride car flies into railing; 2 injured
(October 27, 2011) - At a carnival in Bremen, Germany, a ride called the Octopus malfunctioned, leaving a 27-year-old woman hospitalized in
critical condition and another woman with serious injuries. The accident happened when the victims' car detached from the ride and crashed
into a safety railing.
Investigators believe that the accident was caused by a broken axle.
A Tip Top ride in operation
Woman killed in fall from Tip Top ride at Dublin fair
(October 24, 2011) - A 31-year-old woman suffered a fatal fall from a Tip Top ride at a fair in Dublin, Ireland.
She was ejected from her bucket seat and landed on the metal steps leading to the ride's platform. It is believed
that she died instantly.
The ride was inspected and found to be in proper mechanical condition. Investigators concluded that the woman
somehow slipped underneath the safety bar and fell out.
The Tip Top consists of 12 carriages that are suspended from a wheel that spins while an arm connected to the wheel
lifts vertically to a height of 40 feet.
Fair ride mishap injures 6
(October 12, 2011) - In Columbia, South Carolina, six people suffered minor injuries when part of a Bonzai ride broke apart, sending debris flying. The accident happened
at the South Carolina State Fair.
According to a fair spokesman, a footrest underneath one of the seats came loose and struck another part of the ride. The collision of ride parts sent metal fragments
flying into the air, injuring five people on the ride and one person who was riding an adjacent ride. All six were treated at the fair's first aid center and released.
South Carolina ride inspectors are investigating.
Water slide collapse injures 4
(September 25, 2011) - At Atlantis Water Adventure Park in North Jakarta, Indonesia, a water slide partially collapsed,
leaving four people injured. The accident was apparently caused by decorations that had collapsed onto the slide.
The operator of the park offered free tickets to those injured.
Top Spin strands passengers upside down
(September 2, 2011) - At the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York, a Top Spin amusement ride came to an unexpected stop,
leaving 40 riders stranded upside down for four minutes.
A spokesman for the fair said that the ride's safety system engaged after it detected that the passenger restraint
system had too much pressure. The ride eventually restarted, allowing the operator to lower the gondola to the platform
where all passengers exited the ride safely. No one was injured.
The system that stopped the ride was likely triggered by a tall or large rider.
The ride was subsequently inspected and reopened shortly after the incident.
ITV Central News
Seven hospitalized after catastrophic ride failure
(August 30, 2011) - At Botton's amusement park in Skegness, Linconshire, England, an amusement ride malfunction left seven riders hospitalized.
The accident involved a ride called Surf Rider, which consists of a vertical arm that rotates 360 degrees through the air. A gondola attached to
one end of the arm is designed to remain horizontal throughout the ride, keeping passengers upright. Somehow, the gondola crashed into the ground
in a vertical position.
Firefighters used a hydraulic platform and ropes to bring all 22 riders to safety.
Injuries included whiplash and bruises. One woman suffered serious head injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
The park announced plans to remove the ride.
UPDATE: All of the injured riders were released from the hospital.
Log flume ejects, injures two
(August 28, 2011) - In Bridlington, England, a 4-year-old girl and her 58-year-old grandmother suffered serious injuries when
they were ejected from a log flume ride called Jungle River. Witnesses said it appeared there was no water on the slide at the
time the victims' log slid down, causing the log to travel faster than its designed speed. The force of the log hitting the water
at the end of the ride caused both victims to be flung out of the log, which ultimately tipped over. The 7-year-old landed in
water and her grandmother landed on a walkway surrounding the ride.
The girl suffered cuts and bruises to her leg, and her grandmother suffered more serious leg injuries that required her
to be airlifted to a hospital.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
A YouTube video shows the ride in operation.
Boy falls 30 feet from thrill ride
(August 23, 2011) - A 12-year-old boy was hospitalized after falling 30 feet from the Excalibur 2 thrill ride at
Camelot theme park in Lancashire, England. His condition was not immediately reported, but his injuries were
not believed to be life threatening.
The ride consists of a circular gondola with ten 4-passenger cars, each facing outward. The gondola spins
at the end of an arm that rotates 360 degrees.
According to witnesses, the boy tried to hold on and was seen hanging from the ride briefly before he fell.
The ride will remain shut down pending an investigation by local police and the Health and Safety Executive.
Ride operator in critical condition after collision with ride
(August 20, 2011) - A 25-year-old ride operator was struck by a gondola that sped by him while he was in
a restricted area. The accident happened at the West Virginia State Fair in Charleston, West Virginia.
The man was operating a ride called Speed, which consists of two arms that rotate to heights of 125
feet at 13 revolutions per minute. Each arm has a 4-person gondola that rotates freely at each end.
According to co-workers, the man was looking at his cell phone when he walked into the path of the ride.
He was airlifted to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
The operator is employed by Reithoffer Shows of Gibsonton, Florida.
UPDATE: OSHA is investigating.
Sea Dragon ride injures 5 at Morey's Piers
(August 19, 2011) - At Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier in Wildwood, New Jersey, five people were injured when a decorative mast
broke and struck them on a popular pirate ship-themed ride called the Sea Dragon. Four people were treated
at the scene for minor injuries, and a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized with more serious injuries.
Man injured in fall while boarding roller coaster
(August 19, 2011) - At Silverwood theme park in Athol, Idaho, a man was seriously injured after falling
onto the track of the Corkscrew roller coaster while he was attempting to board the train, which was
stopped in the station.
It took rescue workers about an hour to remove the man, who remained unconscious throughout the ordeal.
The ride reopened after it was determined that it did not malfunction.
Carnival ride operator arrested, charged with reckless endangerment
(August 14, 2011) - At the Putnam County Fair in Cookville, Tennessee, a 23-year-old carnival worker was
arrested while he was operating a Ferris wheel. The man was allegedly smoking marijuana while operating the ride.
Police charged him with reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance.
Ride operator dead in roller coaster accident
(August 13, 2011) - A 24-year-old ride operator was crushed by a roller coaster train
and later died from his injuries. The man left the control booth while the ride was
in motion and got his legs crushed underneath the cars. Rescue workers amputated one of
the man's legs on the scene to free him, then rushed him to a hospital, where he died
from his injuries hours later.
The accident happened at an amusement park called Naudières in Sautron, France.
Investigators inspected the ride and determined that there were no mechanical defects.
Four killed, 24 injured when amusement ride cars crash, derail
(August 13, 2011) - At a park in Yixing, East China, four people were killed and 24 people
were injured while they were riding in small carts on a roller coaster-type track that twists
and turns through the woods. The carts began to crash into each other and derail after sudden
heavy rains slicked the track.
One of the injured was hospitalized in critical condition.
João Laet/Agência ODia
One killed, 8 injured after amusement ride malfunctions
(August 13, 2011) - At the Glory Center amusement park outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an amusement ride
car flew off a ride and struck people who were standing in line around the ride. A 17-year-old girl who was
in line to purchase tickets for the ride was killed, 2 people were hospitalized with serious cranial injuries,
and 6 others were hospitalized with injuries that were less serious.
The ride, called Typhoon, rotates as its cars are lifted and lowered rapidly through the air.
Witnesses said that the car was loaded with as many as six passengers who were among the injured.
The cars are designed for a maximum capacity of four passengers.
The owner of the park was arrested and charged with manslaughter. She claims that the ride passed
a recent inspection.
Scrambler ride injures 3
(August 12, 2011) - At a carnival in Tell City, Indiana, three people were injured on a Scrambler ride
when a decorative light fixture fell off the ride and struck them. One person was treated at the scene
for minor injuries, and two others were treated at a hospital, including a 17-year-old boy who
received 70 stitches on his face.
Inspectors believe that a metal pin came loose, causing the fixture to fall.
The ride passed a recent state inspection and reopened after all light fixtures were removed.
Carnival ride operator arrested, charged with reckless endangerment
(August 9, 2011) - At a carnival in Connoquenessing Township, Pennsylvania, a 47-year-old ride
operator was arrested while he was operating a looping ride called the Ring of Fire. The man was
allegedly drunk and had urinated in public. Police charged him with reckless endangerment,
open lewdness, and public drunkenness.
Agencia EFE
Three dead after carnival ride breaks apart
(August 8, 2011) - In one of the deadliest carnival ride accidents in decades, three men were killed and a 16-year-old girl
was seriously injured when a carnival ride broke apart in Villacañas, Spain.
The ride, whose signs read "Xtrem" and "Freak Out," consists of a vertical arm that swings through the air like a pendulum.
At the end of the arm, there are four rows of seats arranged in a circle, so that riders face each other. The gondola
rotates as the arm swings through the air. One of the 4-passenger rows of seats broke off from the gondola and fell 30
feet to the ground, where it crashed near the entrance of the ride.
The men who died were 21, 23, and 31 years old. The girl was hospitalized in critical condition. Her injuries include a
cranial fracture and facial injuries.
Witnesses reported that the ride had been making unusual noises. The ride is reported to have had proper permits and
inspection certification. Authorities are investigating.
Most similar rides that use the same name and signage are not connected to this ride's manufacturer.
Courtesy Atlas
EuropaPress.de
Statement from KMG International:
This letter is to inform anyone whom it concerns about an accident that happened on a fair in
the town of Villacanas in Spain. On August 9th, 2011 a terrible accident happened to a ride
called Freakout where the passenger seating facility came off the ride causing three deaths a
one severe injury.
Although the ride was called Freak Out and the outlines of the structure look likes the main
structure of the KMG Freak Out, KMG states the following:
The ride involved in the above mentioned accident is not constructed by KMG and its
construction is not related in any way to the design of the KMG Freak Out ride
manufactured by KMG in The Netherlands. Therefore KMG Freak Out rides are not
related to this accident.
(July 28, 2011) - At a carnival in Norton, Kansas, four people were injured when part
of a ride called the Octopus collapsed. Investigators reported that one of the
ride's arms fell about five feet to the ground.
In June 2009, three people were injured when an Octopus ride in Virginia malfunctioned
and their car fell 15-20 feet to the ground. Investigators determined that the accident was
caused by a cracked bracket, which was not visible during routine inspections.
In August 2007, two people were injured at a Wisconsin carnival when an arm of an
Octopus ride fell to the ground. According to investigators, the part of the ride that
broke was completely enclosed and could not be inspected visually.
In February 1997, an 11-year-old girl was killed and two other people were seriously injured
when an arm broke off an Octopus ride at a fair in Australia. Investigators found that a bearing
cap had cracked, causing the ride to collapse.
In December 2006, a 10-year-old girl was killed and six teenagers were injured when an arm
of a ride called the Octopus crashed to the ground at a carnival in the Philippines.
(July 23, 2011) - At Camden Park in Huntington, West Virginia, a malfunction on the Spider ride
caused one of its arms to fall to the ground. The cars at the end of the arm were unoccupied,
but one person suffered minor injuries and two others were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
Firefighters evacuated passengers from all of the occupied cars.
The ride consists of six arms that rise and fall as they rotate, while two cars at the end of
each arm spin freely.
The West Virginia Department of Labor is investigating.
In August, 2004, four children were injured at an amusement park in Omaha, Nebraska when an arm
of a Spider ride fell to the ground.
In July, 2004, two people were injured when a car separated from a Spider ride and fell to the ground
at the Delaware State Fair.
In September, 1998, seven people were injured at the Lee County Fair in Sanford, North Carolina,
when a Spider arm broke off and crashed to the ground. The ride had passed a state inspection
just five days earlier.
UPDATE: The West Virginia Department of Labor reports that the arm, or sweep, broke at the piveting
point as the result of a faulty bolt. According to park officials, the bolt is not visible during
daily ride inspections. In addition to its daily inspections, the ride passed an annual inspection
in May.
WGN-TV
Go Bananas park owner, manager charged with safety violations
(July 22, 2011) - The owner and manager of Go Bananas amusement park in Norridge, Illinois have been charged
under the Illinois Carnival Rides and Amusement Safety Act with two safety violations in connection with a roller
coaster accident in April that left a 3-year-old boy dead. The misdemeanor charges are the result of an investigation
by the Illinois Department of Labor that cited discrepancies in the park’s record keeping.
WIVB
Darien Lake cited for safety violations in Ride of Steel death
(July 22, 2011) -
The New York State Department of Labor today issued two violations to Darien Lake Theme Park following a thorough investigation
into the July 8 fatality of Army Sergeant James Hackemer while on the Ride of Steel. The incident has also led to independent
investigations by local law enforcement.
The Department of Labor’s investigation found that Sergeant Hackemer’s death was the result of operator error. The Ride of Steel
is mechanically sound and all safety devices work properly. The Park’s safety and operational requirements, which were visibly
posted at the entrance to the Ride of Steel, were not followed by the ride operators. These rules require that riders have both
legs, because the safety devices restrain the legs, shins, and lap to hold the rider safely in the ride’s car. Sergeant Hackemer
lost both his legs in combat while serving in Iraq.
The Department of Labor is authorized to inspect amusement parks and issue violations where appropriate. Based on their
investigation, the Department of Labor issued two violations to the Park:
• Operators were not properly trained on the safety and operations restrictions of the Ride of Steel
• Operators were unfamiliar with the safety requirements of the Ride of Steel
On the day of the accident, the Department of Labor ordered the Park to stop operating the Ride of Steel until a full
inspection of the ride was completed. Since then, the ride has remained closed.
Following orders from the Department of Labor:
• All employees who operate the Ride of Steel have been retrained in safety procedures
• New, clearer signage has been posted in the Park that describes ride safety regulations
• Park management must now review all safety restrictions on every ride prior to the start of each ride operator’s shift
Since the Park complied with these orders, the Department of Labor approved the ride to reopen today.
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort Set to Re-Open Ride of Steel
Operational and Communications Changes Approved and Implemented
Based on recommendations from the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) and the park’s own internal reviews of
the tragic accident that occurred on July 8, Darien Lake Theme Park Resort will re-open the Ride of Steel today,
July 22.
“The safety of both our guests and team members always has been, and remains, our top priority,” said
Darien Lake General Manager Christopher Thorpe. “We were all devastated by this tragedy and are
committed to doing everything we can to prevent something like this from ever reoccurring. To this end,
we have enhanced training programs, increased audits of safety procedures and enforcement, and made
disability ridership information more accessible throughout the park.”
“We offer our continued condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant James Hackemer; who remain
in our prayers. Our commitment to our guests is we will continue our sharp focus on safety, providing
them with a secure and fun experience, while honoring the lessons we can all learn from the life of
Sergeant Hackemer,” added Thorpe.
Since opening nearly fifty years ago in 1964, Darien Lake Theme Park Resort has entertained more than
35 million guests. The park invests its greatest amount of time and resources into safety. This incident
was the first-ever ride-related fatality to occur at the park.
Working with the DOL, internal, and other experts, Darien Lake is instituting the following changes:
Recertification – All Ride of Steel employees have been recertified including a training that
includes both trainer and trainee sign-off of competency on ride protocol. The training also
includes how to enforce all ride restrictions in a consistent, guest friendly manner. This
recertification includes enhancements to the park’s long-time, multi-part ride training program.
Additionally, all ride operators throughout the park have been re-trained with special emphasis on
these important aspects of their job.
Increased Audits – To augment its existing, daily ride operations audit program, the park has
increased the frequency and type of audits that are conducted throughout the operating day.
Audits will be random and unannounced and will include knowledge of ride restrictions as well
as adherence to operational procedures. A dedicated auditor position has also been created to
further increase the frequency of audits.
Rider Accessibility Guide Awareness – To supplement the ride restrictions posted at the
accessible entrances, and to support the materials currently available at Guest Relations, Darien
Lake has added additional Rider Accessibility Guide signage at every ride throughout the park.
These signs include a box featuring the Guide and also instructions for guests with disabilities to
present the Guide to the ride operator, assuring both the operator and guest that they are aware of
the ride’s restrictions. The Rider Accessibility Guide has also been added to the park’s web site.
“Darien Lake wishes to express its appreciation to both local and state authorities who have diligently
served our community by conducting a thorough and meticulous investigation of the tragic accident that
occurred July 8 on Ride of Steel,” added Thorpe.
Due to misinformation previously reported in the media, the park also clarified several points:
All of the operators exceeded the state’s age requirements for operating rides; they were all over
18 years of age.
Darien Lake did not continue to operate Ride of Steel after the incident. Per design and
manufacturer’s specifications, Ride of Steel Standard Operating Procedure is one train is already
climbing the lift as the other enters the station. In essence, one train replaces the other with only
one train in the station at a time. Two trains cannot be in the station at one time.
Dallas bungee ride strands riders for hours
(July 18, 2011) - Two people were left dangling in a cage suspended by bungee cords 50 feet in the air for two hours
at the Zero Gravity Thrill Park in Dallas, Texas. The incident happened on a reverse bungee ride called the Texas
Blastoff.
Firefighters were called in to the bring the passengers to safety.
The riders were not injured.
"Darien Lake violated their own policies and procedures
by allowing him to get on this ride."
Sheriff Gary T. Maha, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
WIVB
Investigators: park policy ignored in Ride of Steel death
(July 13, 2011) - The man who was ejected from the Ride of Steel roller coaster at Darien Lake last Friday should never
have been allowed to board the ride, according to police investigators. Sheriff Gary T. Maha of the Genesee County Sheriff’s
Office said that, while the death is being ruled accidental and no criminal charges will be filed, 29-year-old army Sgt. James
Hackemer, who lost both of his legs in the Iraq war, "did not have the physical attributes to be on that ride."
Safety restrictions are posted on signs located at entrances to the Ride of Steel roller coaster. The signs read: "For the restraint
devices on this ride to fully and safely engage, guests must have two legs and be within a certain range of size and physical dimension.
In addition, guests must have sufficient body strength and complete use of at least one arm and hand to hold onto the grab bar. No guest
may ride holding anything or with artificial limbs attached." In addition, ride restrictions include a minimum height requirement of
54 inches. As a result of his war injuries, Sgt. Hackemer was only about 36 inches tall, according to his family. Hackemer was not
wearing artificial limbs at the time he boarded the ride.
Speaking about Hackemer's death, Sgt. Steven Mullen of the Sheriff's Department of Genesee County New York stated,
"After being ejected, he hit the front of the car, then hit the track and was thrown forward into a grassy area near
Route 77."
"The hill is the second highest in the ride, but he didn't come out at the top of the hill. He maybe fell an estimated
150 feet," said Mullen.
According to Sheriff Maha, three employees at the Ride of Steel allowed Sgt. Hackemer to board the ride,
even though they were aware that he was a double amputee.
Statement from Darien Lake (July 13, 2011):
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort continues to mourn the loss of Sergeant James T. Hackemer and pray for him, his family and all those impacted by this accident.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Department has completed their own investigation, concluding that no criminal charges are to be brought. Darien Lake Theme Park
Resort, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Labor and other industry experts, continues its investigation which is expected to take more time
to complete.
"We take our responsibility very seriously," said Darien Lake Theme Park Resort General Manager Christopher Thorpe. "We are not going to rush this process.
As soon as we have final information on any measures to be taken within the park, we will share those with the public."
"I wish to express my personal appreciation to the Genesee County Sheriff's Department for their quick response and thorough work," adds Thorpe.
Man, 29, killed in fall from Ride of Steel roller coaster at Darien Lake
(July 8, 2011) - A 29-year-old man was killed in a fall from the front seat of the Ride of Steel roller coaster
at Darien Lake theme park in Darien Lake, New York.
The victim was an Iraq war veteran who lost both of his legs in a roadside bomb explosion in 2008. He lost his right leg
below the knee and his left leg below the hip.
Witnesses said that the man was ejected from the ride as the train climbed the ride's first incline after the initial drop.
The train was traveling at about 50mph when the victim was ejected.
The ride will remain closed until investigators determine the cause of the accident. Initial reports indicate that
no defects have been found with either the seat belts or the lap bars, and that all safety restraints were checked
by operators before the train was dispatched from the loading station.
In May, 1999, a rider was ejected from the same roller coaster when the park was operated by Six Flags and the ride
was named Superman Ride of Steel. The victim, a 37-year-old man, was thrown from the ride near its end. He suffered
only minor injuries. Investigators determined that the passenger restraint system was working properly, but that the
man, who was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed about 400 pounds, was too big for the ride. The man later won a $4
million lawsuit against the park. The jury found that the park was negligent in its failure to properly train
employees to assess a rider's potential risk for ejection.
In 2004, a man was killed in a fall from the Intamin-designed Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags
New England theme park. A report by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety concluded that
the victim was not properly secured by the ride's safety restraints. The report blamed park workers for failing
to ensure that the victim's restraints were locked properly. It also blamed Intamin, Six Flags, and the victim
himself, who failed to inform ride attendants that he suffered from a pre-existing medical condition, as mandated
by state law. The victim rode a scooter to the boarding platform and witnesses say that the ride's attendants
assisted him to his seat. Six Flags officials stated that ride attendants were not permitted to assist passengers
who are boarding the ride. While investigators found "no apparent mechanical defects," they stated that Six Flags
workers should have denied the victim access to the ride because his large girth prevented the lap bar restraint
from fitting firmly against his thighs. The victim was 5-foot-2 and weighed about 230 pounds.
Statement from Darien Lake (July 8, 2011): Darien Lake Theme Park Resort is deeply saddened by an incident that occurred at 5:30pm today on
Ride of Steel. An adult male guest came out of the ride and unfortunately the guest has passed.
We are currently investigating the circumstances of the situation along with local authorities.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the guest at this time.
Our guests should be assured that nothing is more important than the safety of our guests
and team members. More facts will be shared with our guests and the public once confirmed.
Ride of Steel will not operate until the investigation is complete. The rest of the park
is in operation.
Guests who were at Darien Lake and were witness to the July 8 incident on Ride of Steel
are encouraged to contact the park to provide information or seek assistance by calling
585-599-5120 or emailing support@godarienlake.com.
Carnival worker electrocuted while dismantling ride
(July 5, 2011) - A 41-year-old carnival worker was killed while he was dismantling a looping amusement ride
called the Fireball after a Fourth of July carnival in Sand Lake, Michigan. Witnesses said that the man came
into contact with power lines then fell 30-40 feet to the ground.
Woman's leg shattered during bungee jump
(July 5, 2011) - A 22-year-old woman suffered multiple leg fractures during a bungee jump in West Bolden, United Kingdom.
Roller coaster accident injures 6
(July 3, 2011) - At the Salem Fair in Salem, Virginia, six roller coaster passengers were injured
after a rider's hat blew off and got stuck underneath his car. The car came to a quick stop,
which led to a 5-12mph collision with the trailing car.
Fair officials said that the man whose hat jammed the ride was told to remove the hat as he boarded the ride.
He removed the hat before his car was dispatched, from the loading station, but a ride camera captured a
picture of the man wearing the hat once the ride started.
UPDATE: The ride reopened after minor repairs to the parts of the car that were damaged as a result
of coming into contact with the hat.
Park worker killed in Florida
(July 2, 2011) - A 30-year-old ride maintenance worker was killed while he was making repairs to a ride called
the Star Flyer at Magical Midway amusement park in Orlando, Florida. He was somehow knocked unconscious and fell
some distance, but it appeared that he was properly secured in his safety harness and that he had taken all
safety precautions.
Rescue workers found the man dangling inside the harness about 40 feet in the air. They said it was apparent
that he had suffered multiple injuries, including head trauma.
The Star Flyer is a 235-foot-tall tower with rotating swings that are slowly lifted to the top of the ride,
then back to the ground. The ride was closed to the public for maintenance at the time of the accident.
The Florida Department of Agriculture is investigating. The ride will remain closed pending a state inspection.
