All articles tagged with #rollercoaster
A 49-year-old rider on Parque Warner Madrid's Batman Gotham City Escape sustained fractures to both legs and was airlifted to a hospital after the ride was halted and emergency procedures activated.
Two women suffered severe traumatic brain injuries after riding Six Flags Magic Mountain's X2 roller coaster, leading to a closure and a CNN investigation that links the ride to more than a dozen serious injuries and two deaths over nearly two decades, raising questions about ride safety standards and regulatory oversight while park officials defend the ride and experts call for a safety reevaluation.
A social media influencer, Allen Ferrell, has been banned for life from all Six Flags parks after filming himself eating McDonald's Chicken McNuggets on the Millennium Force roller coaster at Cedar Point; Six Flags cited safety rules and its code of conduct, which bans loose articles on rides and behavior that creates safety concerns. Ferrell’s video shows him pulling nuggets from his pants and asking for sauce during the ride, reaching seven nuggets before the clip ends. He plans to continue doing challenges, expresses understanding of the ban, and says he hopes it might be lifted in the future.
Eight students from Houston-area schools were stranded for nearly four hours at the top of the Iron Shark rollercoaster at Pleasure Pier in Galveston after a malfunction triggered an emergency stop. Firefighters used a long rescue ladder and harnesses to bring them down safely; all were uninjured, though shaken and checked for dehydration. The ride has been paused for inspection before any return to service.
A man died accidentally while riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe in Florida, suffering fatal blunt-impact trauma after hitting his head multiple times during the ride. Investigations confirmed safety procedures were followed, and the death was deemed an accident, with the ride's safety warnings and conditions noted. The incident follows recent safety legislation in Florida after a previous amusement park tragedy.
A man named Kevin Zavala died after becoming unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe park. The autopsy ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries, and it was deemed an accident. Zavala, who had a preexisting spinal condition, was remembered by his family for his resilience and spirit. The park is cooperating with investigations, and safety protocols are being reviewed.
P Diddy's twin daughters, Jessie James and D'Lila Star, were removed from a rollercoaster at the Orange County Fair for refusing to put away their phones, sparking social media debate about safety rules and celebrity treatment. The incident occurred amid ongoing legal issues involving their father, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, which have increased public scrutiny of the family. The twins are working to establish their own identity through a fashion line, despite the media attention.
Lithuanian engineer Julijonas Urbonas designed a conceptual 'euthanasia rollercoaster' intended to kill its passengers through extreme G-forces. The ride, which features a series of increasingly tight loops, would subject riders to 10Gs of force, leading to cerebral hypoxia and eventual death. The design includes a protocol where all 24 passengers must press 'go' to proceed, allowing them to say their final words before the ride begins. The project, which won a technological art prize in 2013, remains a hypothetical exploration of euthanasia.
Fourteen people were injured, two seriously, at PortAventura theme park in Tarragona, Spain, after a tree fell onto a rollercoaster due to strong winds. The incident occurred when branches hit visitors on the Tomahawk ride, with Catalan emergency services attending to the injured.
The Flying Dinosaur rollercoaster at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka broke down mid-ride, leaving 32 passengers dangling upside down at a height of 150ft. The amusement park made an emergency stop and all passengers were safely rescued by staff and taken down via emergency stairs. No injuries were reported. The exact cause of the malfunction is unknown, but the ride was deemed safe after tests. This is not the first incident for the rollercoaster, which has experienced previous emergency stops with passengers on board. Universal Studios Japan attracts over ten million visitors annually.
Universal Studios has announced that the Donkey Kong Country area of Super Nintendo World Japan will open in spring 2024. The expansion will feature a new rollercoaster called Mine Cart Madness, exclusive merchandise, and power-up bands for interactive experiences. The Donkey Kong expansion is expected to increase the size of Super Nintendo World Japan by 70 percent.
Universal Studios Japan has revealed the first details of the upcoming Donkey Kong Country area in Super Nintendo World, set to open in spring 2024. The main attraction will be Donkey Kong's Crazy Cart, a rollercoaster ride where players protect the Golden Banana from the Tiki Tak Tribe. Visitors will also have the opportunity to collect the K O N G letters using a Power-Up Band and track their collection through the official USJ mobile app. The expansion will make Super Nintendo World 1.7 times larger and will feature additional activities developed in partnership with Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto.
Universal Studios Japan is adding a Donkey Kong park to their Super Nintendo World attractions, featuring a Donkey Kong rollercoaster. Construction is progressing, with a sneak peek of one of the Donkey Kong temples visible. The opening date is unknown at this time.
Riders on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster at Universal Studios in Orlando were stuck in a vertical position for nearly an hour on Thanksgiving night. The Orlando Fire Department confirmed that there were no injuries and the Orlando Police Department initiated the emergency call. The steel coaster features a 167-foot-tall vertical lift, and photos shared on social media showed the train stopped near the top. Universal Studios and the Orlando Police Department have been contacted for more information.
Carowinds' Fury 325 rollercoaster in Charlotte, North Carolina, has reopened after being closed for nearly six weeks due to a crack in a support beam. The ride underwent repairs, testing, and a final inspection by the North Carolina Department of Labor's Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau. A new steel column was installed, and over 500 full cycles were completed to ensure the ride's integrity. The bureau approved the reopening after conducting its final inspection. Carowinds expressed gratitude to those involved in the repair process and welcomed back guests to one of their most popular rides.