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, Phase 8 Fair, Mohali, Punjab, India

At least 10 people, including five children, were critically injured after the transportable rotating drop tower came crashing 50 feet (15m) to the ground. Source

Rocket, Southport Pleasureland, Merseyside, UK

A young girl was taken to hospital with a head injury when the Pinfari Mini Mega roller coaster stopped mid-ride. Source

Although it doesn’t look like it’s name, this is the Rocket roller coaster

Poogee Penguins Spin Out Coaster, Santa’s Village, NH

A 51-year-old ride operator was seriously injured after falling 6-8 feet (1.8-2.5m) to the ground from the SBF Visa Group spinning coaster’s platform. Source

El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey

Thirteen people were injured, five of which were taken to hospital, when the roller coaster train suddenly jarred, as though it had hit a pot-hole, just before returning to the station. The attraction closed for the remainder of the season. Source

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Train, Land of Make Believe, Hope Township, New Jersey

A 2-year-old child was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital in critical condition after being struck by the park’s train. Source

Feuerdrache, Legoland Deutschland, Günzburg, Germany

Two of the Zierer Force Five roller coaster’s trains collided when one stopped short of the station’s loading/unloading platform and was rammed from behind by the other, injuring 31 people – 10 children, one teenager and 20 adults. Source

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Europe Flyer, Venray Kermis, Netherlands

Eight people sustained minor injuries while riding the swing carousel at the street fair when they struck tree branches. Occupants may have grabbed the branches while riding, causing tension straps that were holding the branches away from the ride to loosen. Source (in Dutch)

Shipwrecked, Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight, UK

Two men were injured and taken to hospital when the Zamperla Junior Miami magic carpet style ride collapsed. Source

Heisse Fahrt, Freizeitpark Klotten, Germany

A 57-year-old woman fell 26 feet (8m) to her death from the moving Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster when she slipped from her seat. It is believed that her lapbar was not securely fastened. Source

Heiße Fahrt at Wild und Freizeitpark Klotten

Body Count, Pencester Gardens Funfair, Dover, UK

A 14-year-old boy died after breaking into the funfair with some friends the day before it was scheduled to open. The teenager tried to climb the closed attraction only to lose his footing and fall to his death when he became trapped between ride equipment. Source