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Roller Coaster Accidents: They Happen
The day my daughter was at Cedar Point amusement park at a band competition, one of the rollercoaster trains of the Magnum XL-200 roller coaster ran into the back of another one at the station. It didn't stop all the way, but this was barely a fender bender. The thing was going only 10 miles an hour. Still, two people were treated for injuries and one had an asthma attack.
Last year, a month after my daughter was at Kings Island with her middle school sports teams, the roller coaster Son of a Beast had a mishap when it abruptly stopped near the station. Then more than 12 people were hurt. Turns out, there was a broken timber.
How often do roller coaster accidents happen, I wonder? I love them and have learned the art of holding my neck with one hand while holding onto the safety bar with the other to keep from jarring my head with every turn. I found a couple resources that list rollercoaster accidents and their causes. RideAccidents.com lists rollercoaster fatalities and their causes between 1972-1997. Another, Theme Park Insider also keeps track. Because of the accidents, there is a bill, the National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act in the works that would restore the jurisdiction of Consumer Product Safety Commission over fixed amusement park rides, but it hasn't passed.
For the most, though, part roller coaster accidents happen because the riders make a mistake and not because the ride fails. Whew! My daughter heads to Kings Island this coming Saturday.
Filed under: Business, Festivals and Events, Stories
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Allison Feb 7th 2009 8:46AM
Cedar Point has one of the best roller coaster safety ratings out there, correct me if I'm wrong. An asthma attack? Come on. It was 10mph.
I'm not saying they don't happen, though.
Crabby McSlacker Jun 3rd 2007 3:20PM
Okay, being kinda chicken about roller coasters to begin with, I did not need to hear this!
(And just wanted to let anyone who was bored today that my weird little health blog is always looking for visitors. Male Equipment is the tacky topic for the day, so only the brave should visit http://www.crankyfitness.blogspot.com/)
babycax Jun 3rd 2007 3:28PM
I absolutely love roller coasters, but I have to admit, I'm beginning to get a little scared at the accident reports over that past couple of years. I am very much for something to pass as far as a bill minitoring the safety issues of amusement parks.I love Cedar Point but I don't know if I will go near the new coaster. I have talked to people who have heard stories about negligence in the inspections of the safety of rides across the United States. We deserve to know a ride is safe to go on. Not only is it about our own safety, but also the safety of our children.
Jaime Jun 3rd 2007 3:41PM
The Magnum at Cedar Point should still be able to boast one of the safest records for a roller coaster just about 16 yrs old now, even after the little fender bender... 10mph caused an asthma attack? Please. Someone saw $ signs and acted foolish. I have been going there along with millions upon millions of other people my whole life and accidents are few and far between. Still, accidents do happen, just like in EVERY other aspect of our lives. You want something to worry about? Try worrying about how our troops (sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, spouses and friends) are being sacrificed every day and how we're going to stop it all. That seems much more newsworthy. Cedar Point is safe, rest assured your kids will be safe THERE.
Dave Jun 3rd 2007 4:24PM
considering the total number of people who ride roller coasters in the world they are a lot safer than any other mode of transportation other than elevators.
Lauren Jun 3rd 2007 3:59PM
I love roller coasters. In fact, I'm going to Disney World this week with my high school band. The reports never scare me, because most of the time the injuries are self-inflicted or accidental. A lot of people trip and then domino into others and it really isn't the ride's fault. They are a lot safer than people think.
WOF Jun 3rd 2007 4:11PM
I love Rollercoasters although I'm usually terrified of them until I ride one and then I'm okay and ready for some more coasters.
Everyone should check out WOF (worlds of Fun) located near Kansas City!
Fred Jun 3rd 2007 4:20PM
Sounds like your daughter just needs to stay awat from the parks. If you could just send a copy of her schedule then I will know when not to go.
Markeane444 Jun 3rd 2007 4:56PM
I love rollercoasters but as I get older I am re-thinking rides on some of the extreme ones. Busch Gardens Europe has great rollercoasters but the new one, Griffon, may be my Waterloo. Hmmm, drop face down at a 90 degree angle or live to see another day - a tough decision. I think I'll............ as for yourself, have fun this summer and trust in the fates!
Mackenzie Apr 22nd 2009 6:37PM
I am 9, and i Looove Griffon! It is awsome, but I am trying to persuade my friend s to go on it.
Lyle Jun 3rd 2007 4:57PM
If one chooses to go on above-average dangerous rides then one should expect to take some risk.
Martin Bingham Jun 3rd 2007 5:27PM
I am on Blood Pressure pills and have stomach nerve problems. So I do not ride them. Never ride one you will never have an accident with one. Never start smoking or drinking. Yow will never need to quite. Never put yourself in bad situations and you will be fine.
Sue Jun 3rd 2007 5:34PM
God=#9-wish my husband would do as you say-concerning motorcycles-he just started to ride one...mid-life crisis. I love roller rcoasters-and would not stop riding-accidents are so far and few between:numbers of riders. Kind of like flying in an airplane. However, I do think there should be more regulations ....
Elizabeth Jun 3rd 2007 6:04PM
I love rollercoasters. There is always the chance that somthing could happen. So if you're worried about it, dont go on it!
Sheila Jun 13th 2007 8:22PM
#9- I can understand that you don't want to ride a roller coaster because of your health problems, but I don't agree that people should stay away from them because they are supposedly dangerous. They are a lot of fun. And what's life without a little risk? Taking risks and challenging your fears is what makes life such an adventure.
Schiz Jun 3rd 2007 6:08PM
to Martin...
if you never drive or ride in a car, you will never be in a car accident. If you never walk down a street, you will never be mugged. If you never go into the woods, you will never be eaten by a wild bear. If you stay in bed, perfectly still, all your life, you will be perfectly safe...
But wait... more people die in bed than anywhere else! Above all else, stay out of bed!
Life is dangerous. One thing is certain - you are going to die somehow. By no means am I against basic safety precautions, but there comes a point when you have to realize that nothing is ever perfectly safe.
Just think how many people die in car accidents compared to rollercoaster accidents, and think how many times you have driven in a car... in other words, you do more dangerous things than ride roller coasters every day of your life.
Lighten up - have some fun. There are worse ways to die than while having some fun!
tedro Jun 3rd 2007 6:22PM
you tell em!
Floyd Jun 3rd 2007 6:22PM
I'm not just concerned with the roller coasters but the other amusement rides themselves. The last time I was at the State Fair the Sky Way cable failed and one of the cars crashed to the ground several people were killed or injured (not just people in the ride but people on the ground too). So now I'm very leary of all amusement rides. http://www.weave-poles.com
Terri A. Boyd Jun 3rd 2007 6:24PM
I started riding rollercoasters at age 5 in Louisville, Ky. Am now 68 and still ridding them.
Terri A. Boyd Jun 3rd 2007 6:36PM
I started riding coasters in Louisville, Ky at age 5. I'm now 68 and yup, I'm still riding them. Cedar Point is my favorite park due to the number of coasters, but have traveled all over the country just to try new ones. All of my children, 5, and their kids all ride. I have a brain aneurysm now and my doctor told me that coasters could cause it to blow up. My answer was "at least I will die doing something I enjoy" as it could pop at any time anyway. Accidents happen, but considering the number of riders, rollercoasters are pretty safe. Have fun and live a little!