Families have historically gone to amusement parks for a day riding thrilling rollercoasters. The worst part of the day used to be just the long lines. But in the past year, there has been no shortage of incidents involving amusement park accidents, both domestically and internationally.
Just yesterday in Orlando, 12 guests were rescued from the Transformers ride at Universal Studios Orlando. One rider reported being stuck in mid-air for an hour. She told journalists that the group was taken off of the ride by fire officials who strapped the passengers with safety harnesses and pulled them up by ropes.
Lately, not a day seems to go by without some mention of another amusement park accident. Here are more recent shocking circumstances when gravity strikes back.
A tourist from the UK was maimed while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Fla last Thursday.
The man lost the tips of his right ring and pinky fingers while on the ride.
Six Flag Magic Mountain’s Ninja Ride left passengers suspended 30 feet in the air after lightning stopped power in early July, leaving 22 people suspended 40 feet above ground. Two of the victims filed a lawsuit against Six Flags on July 9.
Only July 13, Disney World’s monorail car broke down in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. during a storm. Approximately 120 panicked stricken people were trapped for roughly two hours. The 911 call showed how frustrations were boiling over because of the delayed rescue. No one was injured.
A woman died on the New Texas Giant coaster after flying off the ride in late 2013.
Across the pond in the UK, The Smiler, after having its riders hit by the ride’s guard wheels in November 2013, frightened many more than expected. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Universal Studio’s Rip Ride Rockit stopped at a 90-degree vertical lift 150 feet in the air in late 2013. Rescuers got passengers down three hours later.
Photo credits: ktla.com; Click Orlando; click2houston; Universal Orlando; mynews13; wiki