Incidents at Six Flags parks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at amusement parks, water parks, or theme parks currently owned or managed by Six Flags. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy. In some cases, incidents occurred while the park was under different management or owners.

The term incidents refers to major accidents, injuries, or deaths that occur at a park. While these incidents were required to be reported to regulatory authorities due to where they occurred, they usually fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Caused by negligence on the part of the guest. This can be refusal to follow specific ride safety instructions, or deliberate intent to break park rules.
  2. The result of a guest's known or unknown health issues.
  3. Negligence on the part of the park, either by ride operator or maintenance.
  4. Act of God or a generic accident (e.g. lightning strike, slipping and falling), that is not a direct result of an action on anybody's part.

Please see the references for each listed item for specific details.

[edit] Six Flags America

Main article: Six Flags America

[edit] Octopus

  • On August 3, 2007, an unidentified 6-year-old girl fell from the Octopus while the ride was in motion and suffered minor injuries to her head, hip, and leg. Reports from eyewitnesses vary on the distance she fell, ranging from 4 feet to 25 feet. Park officials said that they believe she fell because she was standing up while the ride was moving.[1]

[edit] Two Face: The Flip Side

  • On October 6, 2007, the ride malfunctioned causing the cars to become stuck on the ramp. Once the cars became dislodged, the hydraulic line was severed and hydraulic fluid was sprayed onto multiple riders. In total, twelve people needed medical attention, two of whom were taken to the hospital to be treated.[2]

[edit] Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Main article: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

[edit] Boomerang

  • On August 24, 1999, 28 passengers were stranded on the Boomerang ride for several hours. The shuttle that pulled the train up an incline failed to release the train, and riders were rescued by firefighters in cherry pickers.[3]

[edit] Scat-a-bout

  • On September 4, 1999 a boy was injured when he slipped below the restraining bar on the Scat-a-bout, a "scrambler"-type ride. The boy was thrown from the ride and landed in a nearby planter, receiving cuts on his legs.[4] The park later stated that the accident was the result of the nine-year-old boy intentionally sliding beneath the safety restraint.[5]

[edit] Starfish

  • In May 2001, a 41-year-old woman from Antioch, California was thrown from the ride when a restraining bar failed as the result of a pneumatic valve being incorrectly installed. She landed on the pavement and suffered head and knee injuries. Her later lawsuit named both the park and ride manufacturer Chance Rides as responsible parties.[6]
  • On June 8, 2002 a 4-year-old girl was critically injured when she slipped beneath the restraining bar and fell from the Starfish ride, receiving critical head injuries.[7]Investigators later blamed park employees for incorrectly seating the girl and not having proper signage indicating the proper seating arrangement for a larger and smaller rider. [8]

[edit] Animal Attacks

  • On January 5, 1996 two trainers were attacked by cougars during an exercise session. One trainer was in the cougar enclosure to take one of the animals for a walk. The cougars, Zuni and Tonto, had been playing amongst themselves and began aggressively playing with him, causing severe cuts on his face and upper torso. The backup trainer suffered minor cuts and bruises in his attempt to free the other.[9]
  • On July 31, 1998, Kuma, a two year old Bengal tiger attacked and seriously injured a guest from San Jose, California and slightly injured the trainer. The incident happened in a secluded area of the park set up to do private photo sessions with the big cats. The tiger was apparently startled when the guest fell off the photo platform and landed on top of her. The trainer suffered a clawing while trying to free the guest who had received serious injuries to her head and upper torso.[10]
  • On June 2, 2004, a 23 year old African elephant named Micha gored her trainer while in her enclosure as the trainer walked beside her. This was Micha's second aggressive act following a previous swipe at a trainer two years prior.[11]

[edit] Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Main article: Six Flags Fiesta Texas

[edit] Guest altercations

  • On July 11, 2007, park employees confronted a 37-year-old man who was acting suspiciously with a video camera. San Antonio police were called, and he was arrested for allegedly secretly videotaping young girls at the water park. He was charged with improper photography or visual recording, or taping someone without consent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of a person.[12]

[edit] Six Flags Great Adventure

Main article: Six Flags Great Adventure

[edit] Rolling Thunder

Main article: Rolling Thunder (roller coaster)
  • On August 16, 1981, 20-year-old park employee Scott Tyler of Middletown fell to his death from the Rolling Thunder roller coaster during a routine test run. An investigation by the New Jersey Labor Department concluded that the man may not have secured himself with the safety bar. A park representative later confirmed this conclusion, saying that the employee "may have assumed an unauthorized riding position that did not make use of safety restraints." The ride was inspected, and the Labor Department concluded that the ride was "operationally and mechanically sound."[13]

[edit] Haunted Castle

Main article: Haunted Castle at Six Flags Great Adventure

On May 11, 1984, eight teenagers were trapped and killed in a fire at the Haunted Castle at Six Flags Great Adventure attraction in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The attraction was made of 17 connected trailers, and had been installed six years earlier to be a temporary attraction. Because the Haunted Castle was not considered to be a permanent structure, it was never inspected by the Jackson Township fire inspector and was not required to have the same level of fire safety equipment as other park structures. While many details about the incident are unknown, testimony during the subsequent trials stated that in a long corridor that was dark because of a malfunctioning strobe light, a 14-year-old boy lit a cigarette lighter in order to see, eventually bumping into and igniting some foam rubber wall padding. The resulting fire spread quickly through the maze-like structure due to the use of various flammable building materials. The entire attraction was destroyed. Fourteen people, including four park employees, escaped. Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation at an area hospital. Firefighters from 11 towns were called to the scene.[14][15]

Great Adventure and its parent company Six Flags Corporation were charged with aggravated manslaughter. The prosecution contended they were reckless in not taking adequate precautions against fire; and that the disaster occurred due to the combustibility of the building, lack of sufficient emergency exits, and the lack of fire alarms and sprinkler systems.[16] The defense cited a 1983 report by fire inspectors, which concluded that the attraction was safe for operation. Expert witnesses on the defense team stated that the fire might have been started intentionally. The park's owners faced maximum combined fines of $1.2 million. It was reported that they spent $6 million for their defense. The companies were acquitted on all criminal charges by a New Jersey Superior Court jury on July 20, 1985, in Toms River, New Jersey.[17][18]

The families of those who were killed later sued Great Adventure and Six Flags, charging them with manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter.[19] One suit was reported to have been settled by the payment of $2.5 million to the victim's family.[20]

[edit] Lightnin' Loops

  • On June 17, 1987, 19-year-old Karen Brown died after falling from the Lightnin' Loops shuttle loop roller coaster.[21] An investigation by the State Labor Department concluded that the ride itself was operating properly, but that the ride operator started the ride without checking that all of the passengers were secured by the safety harnesses. The Department's Office of Safety Compliance further concluded that the accident would not have occurred had proper procedures been followed. The park was found to be in violation of the Carnival/Amusement Ride Safety Act and was subsequently charged with the maximum state fines of $1,000. The ride was reopened a few months later with the permission of the Labor Department.[citation needed]

[edit] Six Flags Great America

Main article: Six Flags Great America

[edit] Cajun Cliffhanger

Main article: Cajun Cliffhanger
  • On July 19, 2000, a 12-year-old girl from McHenry, Illinois suffered two crushed toes after the floor of the ride was improperly raised prior to the ride coming to complete stop. A second guest also had her foot trapped in this accident. The ride was permanently shut down as part of an out-of-court settlement. In the ten years prior to this accident, there were thirteen other reported incidents involving the Cajun Cliffhanger ride, at least six of which involved injuries.[23]

[edit] Camp Cartoon Network

  • On August 16, 2006, 10-year-old Jaclyn Silberman from Arlington Heights, Illinois collapsed and died after riding rides in the Camp Cartoon Network area. An autopsy showed that she died of a congenital heart condition. Her family says that she had a history of heart trouble.[24]

[edit] The Demon

Main article: The Demon (Six Flags Great America)
  • On April 18, 1998, 23 riders on the Demon roller coaster were stranded upside-down in the middle of a vertical loop. Firefighters used a cherry picker to bring riders to safety, although some were on the ride for as long as three hours. The incident was the result of a mechanical failure.[25]

[edit] The Edge

  • On May 22, 1984, 3 unnamed teenage boys were seriously injured when the ride vehicle fell back down the lift shaft.[26]

[edit] Hurricane Harbor

[edit] Ragin' Cajun

Main article: Ragin' Cajun (roller coaster)
  • On May 29, 2004, 52-year-old ride mechanic Jack Brouse of Zion, Illinois was killed by a roller-coaster car as he attempted to cross the tracks. Suffering from a traumatic head injury, he died at a local hospital.[28]

[edit] Raging Bull

Main article: Raging Bull (roller coaster)
  • On May 3, 2003, 11-year-old Erica Emmons of Gary, Indiana collapsed after riding the Raging Bull coaster. She died after being taken to the hospital. While initial reports said that she died from choking on taffy she had been eating while on the ride, the coroner's report later stated that she died due to an "enlarged heart" heart condition, and had been seeing a cardiologist for treatment.[29]

[edit] Willard's Whizzer

Main article: Whizzer (roller coaster)

[edit] Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom

Main article: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom

[edit] Starchaser

  • On July 26, 1994, five unidentified riders were injured when two cars collided in an incident that inspectors said was due to operator error. After the accident, the park filed suit against Louisville, Kentucky television station WHAS-TV for reporting on the accident in a misleading and malicious manner. The station had inaccurately reported that the ride malfunctioned, was dangerous, and that the park had removed a "key component" of the ride. The station lost the lawsuit and was ordered to pay US$3 million to the park.[31]

[edit] Superman Tower of Power

  • On June 21, 2007, a 13-year-old female from Louisville, Kentucky had both feet severed above the ankle by a snapped cable, caused by an unidentified ride malfunction.[32] In reaction to this accident, at least nine similar rides around the world were closed for inspection at Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Sweden,[33] Kennywood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[34] and at parks run by Six Flags,[35] Cedar Fair,[35] and PARC Management.[36] On July 3, 2007, the victim's family released a statement stating that her right foot had been successfully reattached.[37] On July 13, 2007, the victim's family filed a lawsuit for unspecified damages against the park claiming that the park did not properly maintain the ride.[38] On November 29, 2007, a judge in the Jefferson Circuit Court said that Six Flags could dismantle the ride beginning February 1, 2008. As of December 1, 2007, the ride's cable was still in storage awaiting lab tests.[39] On May 30, 2008, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture released their report on the accident, concluding that the accident was due to a faulty cable, as well as poor operator training in that if the ride operators had acted to shut down the ride in a timely manner, guests would only have suffered minor cuts. The report also stated that the park was fined $1,000 for not properly maintaining the ride.[40]

[edit] Vampire

  • During its inaugural season in 1990, the "Vampire" roller coaster stopped mid-run and 24 passengers had to climb down from a 12-story structure.[41]

[edit] Six Flags Magic Mountain

Main article: Six Flags Magic Mountain
  • There were 109 complaints by Magic Mountain guests due to various incidents, according to the 2006 annual report from the Amusement Safety Organization. Some reports were minor, ranging from nose bleeds and heat exhaustion, to neck and back injuries from various rides. Included in those 109 complaints were 18 reports of people blacking out on the Goliath roller coaster. Other complaints were safety-related, such as notices of ride operators talking on cell phones while operating rides. The same report stated that the state of California received notice of 80 injuries at Magic Mountain between January 2001 - December 2006.[42]

[edit] Colossus

Main article: Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
  • In 1978, 20-year-old Carolina Flores was ejected from the Colossus ride, and fell to her death.[43]

[edit] Revolution

Main article: Revolution (roller coaster)
  • In 1996, part-time employee Cherie LaMotte was killed while crossing the tracks of the Revolution roller coaster. She was struck by a train full of park visitors as it returned to the station; both passengers and those waiting in line for the ride saw LaMotte fly into an area beneath the coaster, and she was pronounced dead at the scene from massive injuries.[43]

[edit] Goliath

Main article: Goliath (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
  • On June 2, 2001, 28-year-old Pearl Santos died of a brain aneurysm while riding Goliath. Her family sued the park, claiming that managers were aware of other complaints from Goliath riders and continued to operate the coaster anyway.[44]

[edit] Scream!

Main article: Scream! (roller coaster)
  • On April 9, 2004, 21-year-old employee Bantita Rackchamroon died after being struck by the roller coaster Scream while on the tracks during a test run prior to the park's opening that day. The roller coaster was allowed to be re-opened the next day after an OSHA inspection found no mechanical issues.[45]


[edit] Six Flags New England

Main article: Six Flags New England

[edit] Superman: Ride of Steel

Main article: Superman: Ride of Steel
  • On May 1, 2004, 55-year-old, 230 lb (100 kg) Stanley Mordarsky of Bloomfield, Connecticut fell out of his coaster seat during the last turn on the Superman coaster and was killed. Reports show that the ride attendant had not checked that Mr. Mordarsky's ride restraint was secure[46] as his girth was too large for the T-bar-shaped ride restraint to close properly. His family said that due to his various medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, he shouldn't have been allowed to ride. The park stated that the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act forbids them from denying a ride to a person with a disability as long as the person can get on the ride by themselves.[47]

[edit] Six Flags Over Georgia

Main article: Six Flags Over Georgia

[edit] Batman: The Ride

  • In May 2002, 58-year-old Samuel Milton Guyton, a Six Flags employee, was struck in the head by the legs of a passenger after entering a restricted area during the ride's operation. He died in the hospital as a result of the injury.[48]

[edit] Goliath

Main article: Goliath (Six Flags Over Georgia)
  • In July 2006, 45-year-old Michael Corry of Birmingham, Alabama died of a heart attack while riding Goliath. He was alert during the ride, but was unconscious when the train arrived at the loading platform. Autopsy showed that the man had a congenital heart condition, and it was expected that the medical examiner would announce that he died of natural causes.[49] Goliath was closed for two hours for an inspection, but was found to be operating normally.

[edit] Great Air Racer

  • On May 27, 1984, 34 passengers were injured after a computer malfunction caused the ride's cables to drop the planes out of position.[50]

[edit] Mind Bender

Main article: Mind Bender (Six Flags Over Georgia)
  • On June 3, 1984, a mechanical problem caused a train to stop abruptly, sending four people to a hospital. The ride was repaired and put back into service with no more problems.[50]

[edit] Six Flags St. Louis

Main article: Six Flags St. Louis

[edit] River King Mine Train / Rail Blazer

  • In July 1984, a 46-year-old woman was riding the Rail Blazer roller coaster when she was flung from the ride and fell 20 feet to her death. Park officials claimed that the woman fainted and fell out of the car, but her husband, who had been beside her, said that she had not fainted but had simply been tossed from the ride when it whipped around a curve. At the time, the ride was only the third stand-up roller coaster in the world, but following this incident it was converted to a sit-down coaster.[51]

[edit] Six Flags Over Texas

Main article: Six Flags Over Texas

[edit] Texas Tornado

  • On March 12, 2006, seven people suffered minor injuries when the Texas Tornado was brought to an abrupt stop and several swing seats collided with each other. One person was sent to the hospital after complaints of back pain, the others were treated at the on-site first aid station. [52]

[edit] Roaring Rapids

  • On March 21, 1999, 28-year-old Valeria Cartwright drowned, and 10 other guests were injured, when the raft they were on overturned in 2-3 feet of water due to sudden deflation of the air chambers that support the raft. The raft then got caught on an underwater pipe, which provided leverage for the rushing water in the ride to flip the boat over.[53] In a subsequent settlement, Six Flags agreed to pay US$4 million to the Cartwright family, and the company would join the Cartwrights in a lawsuit against Canyon Manufacturing Co., the company responsible for parts that were related to the accident.[54]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Girl falls up to 25 feet from Md. amusement park ride", Daily Times, 2007-08-03. Retrieved on 2007-08-05. 
  2. ^ "Ride Malfunctions At Six Flags; Several Injured", WTTG Fox 5 News, 2007-10-06. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. 
  3. ^ "Bad Cable Blamed in Marine World Ride Failure", San Francisco Chronicle, 1999-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  4. ^ "BAY AREA DATELINES", San Francisco Chronicle, 1999-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  5. ^ "Marine World Says 9-Year-Old Boy at Fault for Fall From Ride", San Francisco Chronicle, 1999-09-07. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  6. ^ "Previous accident blamed on valve / Marine World's 'Starfish' shut down", San Francisco Chronicle, 2002-06-11. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  7. ^ "Girl hurt in fall off Marine World ride", San Francisco Chronicle, 2002-06-09. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  8. ^ "Marine World blamed in girl's accident/4-year-old wasn't seated correctly, sign not posted at ride, report concludes", San Francisco Chronicle, 2002-08-24. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  9. ^ "2 Marine World Trainers Attacked by Cougars/One man badly clawed, hospitalized", San Francisco Chronicle, 1996-01-05. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. 
  10. ^ "Tiger Mauls Woman at Marine World/Trainer also hurt at Vallejo park", San Francisco Chronicle, 1998-08-01. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. 
  11. ^ "Marine World trainer badly hurt by elephant", San Francisco Chronicle, 2004-06-02. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. 
  12. ^ "Man Accused of Taping Girls at Water Park", WOAI, 2004-07-12. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. 
  13. ^ "Ride in Jersey Park Opens After Death", New York Times, 1981-08-18. Retrieved on 2006-07-28. 
  14. ^ Ride Accidents website
  15. ^ Joe Costal. "Fire at the Haunted Castle (excerpted from Amusement Park Crisis Management)", Haunted Attraction Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-07-29. 
  16. ^ "State Fire Marshall's Advisory", Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, 1999-06-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-29. 
  17. ^ "Jury Acquits Great Adventure", Philadelphia Inquirer, 1985-07-21. 
  18. ^ William G. Childs. "Criminal Prosecutions in the Amusement Industry – Is There a Trend?", MassTort.org - Torts, IP, Amusement Park Safety, other stuff, 2005-10-20. Retrieved on 2006-07-29. 
  19. ^ "Third Suit Filed in Fatal Fire", New York Times, 1984-07-07. Retrieved on 2006-07-29. 
  20. ^ "Settlement in Fire At Park in Jersey", New York Times, 1085-12-21. Retrieved on 2006-11-10. 
  21. ^ "Rider on Roller Coaster Dies In a Fall at Great Adventure", New York Times, 1987-06-18. Retrieved on 2006-07-29. 
  22. ^ "OSHA cites Six Flags with 38 safety violations", Daily Herald, 2007-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-09-14. 
  23. ^ "'Cajun Cliffhanger' Shut Down In Legal Settlement", WMAQ, 2002-03-28. Retrieved on 2007-06-22. 
  24. ^ "Girl Dies After Collapsing At Six Flags", CBS 2, 2006-08-17. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. 
  25. ^ "Accident Blamed on Axle Flaw", Chicago Tribune, 1998-04-21. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  26. ^ "EVOLUTION OF CALIFORNIA'S AMUSEMENT RIDES SAFETY LAWS", California Research Bureau, California State Library, 1997-08-01. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  27. ^ "Chicago man dies at water park", Chicago Sun-Times, 2005-06-30. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. 
  28. ^ "Great America Employee Dies of Ride Injuries", WISN, 2004-05-18. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. 
  29. ^ "Girl's death at Six Flags blamed on heart condition", ABC 7, 2005-12-05. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. 
  30. ^ "Commission Files Complaints Following Fatal Accidents On Amusement Park Rides", U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1980-08-29. Retrieved on 2007-06-26. 
  31. ^ "Kentucky Supreme Court Reinstates $3 Million Defamation Verdict", Gannett, 2005-09-09. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. 
  32. ^ "Girl who had feet severed by amusement park ride, in stable condition", KARE 11, 2007-06-26. Retrieved on 2007-06-28. 
  33. ^ "Cause of theme park accident unknown", UPI, 2007-06-24. Retrieved on 2007-06-24. 
  34. ^ "Kennywood closes ride, gives extra inspection", The Daily News, 2007-06-23. Retrieved on 2007-06-23. 
  35. ^ a b "Six Flags Rides Shut Down After Accident", AP, 2007-06-23. Retrieved on 2007-06-23. 
  36. ^ "Elitch's closes Tower of Doom after accident in Ky", Rocky Mountain News, 2007-06-23. Retrieved on 2007-06-23. 
  37. ^ "Six Flags Maiming Victim Has One Foot Reattached", WLKY, 2007-07-03. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  38. ^ "Theme park sued over foot-severing", UPI, 2007-07-13. Retrieved on 2007-07-15. 
  39. ^ "Kentucky Kingdom to tear down ride that maimed girl", Courier-Journal, 2007-11-29. Retrieved on 2007-12-01. 
  40. ^ "Faulty Cable, Operator Blamed For Thrill Ride Accident", WKYT, 2008-05-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-30. 
  41. ^ "Kentucky", USA Today, 1990-07-24. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  42. ^ "How Safe Are The Rides At Magic Mountain?", ABC7, 2007-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-04-11. 
  43. ^ a b "Roller Coaster Worker Dies at Magic Mountain", Los Angeles Times, 1996-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  44. ^ "Family Sues Amusement Park Owner Over Death", Los Angeles Times, 2002-05-23. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  45. ^ "Magic Mountain Allowed To Reopen Roller Coaster", Ultimaterollercoaster.com, 2004-04-10. Retrieved on 2006-10-26. 
  46. ^ "New England: Massachusetts: Coaster Death Report", New York Times, 2004-05-08. Retrieved on 2006-07-31. 
  47. ^ "Investigators Preparing Report in Roller Coaster Death", NBC30.com, 2004-05-04. Retrieved on 2006-07-31. 
  48. ^ "Man died after standing up on ride, authorities say", Boulder Classifieds, 2002-05-29. Retrieved on 2007-02-11. 
  49. ^ "Man dies after riding roller coaster at Six Flags", Macon Telegraph, 2006-07-28. Retrieved on 2006-07-28. 
  50. ^ a b "4 Injured on Six Flags Ride", New York Times, 1984-06-05. Retrieved on 2006-07-28. 
  51. ^ "Woman Flung to Death From Roller Coaster", New York Times, 1984-07-09. Retrieved on 2006-09-26. 
  52. ^ "Seven injured at Six Flags over Texas, 'Texas Tornado' swing ride malfunctions", Coaster-net, 2006-03-14. Retrieved on 2007-06-05. 
  53. ^ "'Unimaginable' events led to accident, officials say", Corpus Christi Online, 1999-04-21. Retrieved on 2006-07-31. 
  54. ^ "Six Flags to pay millions to victim's kin", AP, 2002-02-23. Retrieved on 2006-07-31. 
v • d • e
Amusement park accidents