When Rosy Esparza visited Six Flags in Arlington, Texas, she wanted a fun day out with her family. What began as a summer outing soon turned into tragedy with a tragic amusement park accident. A woman fell to her death from the famed Texas Giant Roller Coaster.
Though investigations are still underway regarding the cause of the incident, initial witness reports indicate that the woman was afraid her safety harness was not fastened correctly. Although she expressed her concerns to a park employee, he dismissed them saying that she was safe. Undoubtedly there will be a long investigation into this tragic incident. However, early reports indicate that improper safety proceedings, employee carelessness, and perhaps improper employee training caused this accident.
Amusement Park Accidents
Though amusement park accidents are actually quite rare, they do occur. Here is a look at four other catastrophic incidents and a brief examination of who was at fault.
- In 2007, Kaitlyn Lassiter and a friend were riding the Superman Tower of Power at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. The ride lifts the seats 177 feet into the air before dropping them down at speeds of 50 mph. When Kaitlyn and the other riders rose partway up, several cables snapped, wrapping themselves around the girls. The cables severed both her feet. Although doctors reattached her right foot, her left had irreparably damaged. Since fault clearly lay with the park for its unsafe ride, the Lassiters reached a settlement that provided Kaitlyn money for the rest of her life. However, nothing can ever give her back her complete mobility and the health she once enjoyed.
- In 1964, a woman fell from her seat on the Matterhorn in Disneyland and struck another car. Investigations revealed that the woman’s seatbelt was unbuckled when she fell. Though the court did not reveal the settlement, Disney changed the type of seatbelt on the ride. This is a good indication that faulty seatbelts – and thus the park – were to blame for the tragic death.
- Action Park, in operation from 1978 to 1996, had an alarming number of accidents. Guests at the park suffered countless minor injuries and six fatalities. Three people died in the wave pool, and one died from a heart attack from the shock of cold water. Another one died from head trauma on a luge ride, and the sixth died from exposed electrical wiring on a kayak ride. The ride also boasted the Cannonball Loop, a ride so dangerous it shut down after only one month. Despite multiple lawsuits, the park managed to stay open for almost 20 years until finally the lawsuits forced the park to close.
- Similar to the tragedy of Rosy Esparza, Sam Nguyen was a regular at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston in 2001. While riding the Mayan Mindbender, he flew out of his seat, landing on the concrete beneath. Every one of his facial bones broke, he broke his hip and pelivs, and lodged a bone fragment in his brain. Investigations revealed that park employees reported problems with the lap bars for weeks, yet the ride continued to operate.
Brooklyn Injury Lawyers
Fortunately, serious accidents at amusement parks are quite rare. But the tragedies remind us that these accidents are preventable and parks are responsible when such catastrophes occur. Because no matter the rarity of the accidents, these tragedies occurred, and changed the victims’ lives forever.
Brooklyn Injury Lawyer-With offices in the Bronx, New York, and on Wall Street, and serving Brooklyn, the proven, aggressive personal injury and auto accident attorneys of Macaluso & Fafinski, P.C. represent clients throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Contact an accident lawyer if you have been harmed and believe someone should be held accountable. Visit https://www.lawyers24-7.com/ or call 718.364.4000 to schedule a consultation with a Brooklyn injury lawyer. Your initial consultation is free.
