A Dallas woman was killed last week when she fell from the Texas Giant roller coaster.
The recent death of a woman on a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas has resurrected the debate over just how safe the rides are at amusement parks across the country.
In general, amusements parks are pretty darn safe, but when things go wrong – through inattentive workers, poor maintenance or poor design – the effects are devastating.
Rosy Esparza.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Rosy Esparza of Dallas fell 75 feet to her death last Friday evening during the first minute of her ride on the Texas Giant coaster, in the ride’s initial descent. Police said she fell 75 feet from the third row of the coaster after the safety bar apparently released. A German maker of roller coasters will investigate the cause of the accident.
Also Friday at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, a water ride malfunctioned and trapped seven people, although no one was seriously injured. The water thrill ride slid down a ramp, flipped over and trapped some of the riders. Investigators want to know why some of the safety restraints released while others did not.
Both accidents serve as reminders of what can happen at amusement parks closer to home for Twin Tiers residents, such as Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort, which had a roller coaster fatality in 2011 involving an Army veteran who lost his legs in a bombing in Iraq. Park employees allowed the man to go on the ride without his prosthetic legs, violating the park’s policy. The park did not face criminal charges in the man’s death.
According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, safety is the top priority of park operators, citing:
- Nearly 300 million people visit the approximately 400 amusement parks in the United States annually and take nearly 2 billion safe rides.
- 61 of the 1,415 ride-related injuries reported in 2011, or less than 5 percent of all ride injuries, were considered serious, meaning they required some form of overnight treatment at a hospital.
- The likelihood of being injured seriously enough to require overnight hospitalization for treatment is 1 in 24 million. The chance of being fatally injured is 1 in 750 million. (Based on an average of five rides per guest.)
If you’re heading to Darien Lake or another park this summer, read the association’s most recent ride injury survey (from 2011) on its website. There is good information there for anyone heading to an amusement park this summer.
Thanks for reading, and have a safe and fun time this summer!
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ZiffLaw Attorney, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Malpractice Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY 14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
info@zifflaw.com
