A 17-year-old boy died after he disembarked the Morgan hyper coaster when he suddenly reported feeling unwell and collapsed. Paramedics transported the boy to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed he had sustained cerebral and pulmonary edema. Source (in Spanish)
Accidents
Theme parks and roller coasters are statistically very, very, very safe. Out of the millions of people who ride the thousands of rides every year, there are only a small handful of incidents. You are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident driving to an amusement park than having one at a park. The rarity of accidents is one reason why the media report them, similar to plane crashes.
Every important element of a ride is inspected on a regular basis and every ride is tested every day without passengers before it opens. A ride might not open, or a safety system might activate, if there is an imperfection. For theme parks to operate, they must obtain insurance and one stipulation is their rides are frequently inspected and signed off by a strict Health & Safety governing body. Every theme park does what they can to prevent accidents because the negative press would be bad for business.
Having said all that, theme park accidents still happen…
Drop Tower, Atlantis Fair, Canelones, Uruguay
A 14-year-old girl sustained several fractured vertebrae when the local fair’s drop tower malfunctioned and dropped to the ground. Source (in Spanish)
City Star Flyer, Christmas Fair, Birmingham, England
Two women were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the 180-foot (55 m) tall Star Flyer failed and crashed to the ground while in operation. Another 11 riders were assessed by paramedics and discharged at the scene. Source
Ferris Wheel, Weihnachtsmarkt, Giessen, Germany
A young boy was hurt and transported to hospital for observation after the Ferris Wheel he was riding at the Christmas Fair got caught as it cycled. Source (in German)
Hot Wheels Epic Show, Beto Carrero World, Penha, Brazil
A motorcyclist broke his collarbone when he lost control of the motorbike and crashed on a wet road. Source (in Portugese)
Water Slide, Mundo Cocoguana, Malaga, Mexico
A 12-year-old girl was found unconscious in one of the water park’s pools and died despite the efforts of lifeguards to revive her. An autopsy confirmed that the girl suffered a heart attack during her ride on a water slide. There was no water in her lungs, ruling out a drowning. Source (in Spanish)
Monkey Mayhem, West Midlands Safari Park, Worcestershire
A support beam fell onto the track of the Reverchon Wild Mouse spinning coaster forcing an emergency stop and evacuation of the ride. No guests were injured in the incident. Source
eXtreme, La Aurora Funfair, Daule Canton, Ecuador
Ten people were injured, six critically, when an arm detached from the swinging pendulum ride sending riders crashing to the ground. Source (with video)
Zombie, Gallimarkt, Leer, Germany
Eleven people were injured when the funfair’s ghost train ride caught fire. The injured include at least four employees who suffered smoke inhalation and one person who was in shock. Source
Remolino-Schlittenfahrt, Fair, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
Four children and five adults were injured when the cars on the Matterhorn/Himalaya ride derailed, causing the attraction to collapse. Source