Woman dies on Six Flags Roller Coaster

[maxiesmom]

I love this ride! I have ridden it numerous times. I thought it was mild compared to other coasters but it does "buck" you a lot! Six Flags is always so anal about the restraints I am truly shocked this happened! I was surprised the first time I went to Disney because they are much more lax than six flags usually is! I am very interested to hear the details when they come out.

I have never seen any "lax" ride attendants at WDW. On the more intense rides (such as Dinosaur or Everest) they check that you are firmly in the ride more than once! You have to pull up on the yellow tab and show the attendant you are latched in before the ride starts.

That was something that quickly came to mind--how grateful I am that WDW does such a thorough job of checking we are all safely secured into the ride.

 

[luvsJack]

I have never seen any "lax" ride attendants at WDW. On the more intense rides (such as Dinosaur or Everest) they check that you are firmly in the ride more than once! You have to pull up on the yellow tab and show the attendant you are latched in before the ride starts.

That was something that quickly came to mind--how grateful I am that WDW does such a thorough job of checking we are all safely secured into the ride.

I agree. WDW always seemed to have it down pat on being thorough about checking.

 

[DawnM]

That is what I thought too. They train their CMs well.

Question: Isn't there a panel that shows if all riders are securely fastened in? I thought the panel lit up green when all cars were securely fastened.

Dawn

I have never seen any "lax" ride attendants at WDW. On the more intense rides (such as Dinosaur or Everest) they check that you are firmly in the ride more than once! You have to pull up on the yellow tab and show the attendant you are latched in before the ride starts.

That was something that quickly came to mind--how grateful I am that WDW does such a thorough job of checking we are all safely secured into the ride.

 

[Planogirl]

Six Flags has a good safety record if I'm not mistaken. I wonder if it was a failure of that particular restraint?

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Six Flags has a good safety record if I'm not mistaken. I wonder if it was a failure of that particular restraint?

At the Six Flags over Kentucky, several years ago, a young teenage girl had both of her legs cut off by a cable that came loose while she was on a ride. The ride permanently closed and they closed the entire park a year or two later.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MagicallyDelicious]

A little bit more information here, in this article. I can't vouch for the accuracy obviously.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...roller-coaster-Six-Flags-Over-Texas-park.html

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Such a terrible story. My family and I heard about this while we were at Schlitterbahn today and it has really left me shaken. Terrible thing that has happened.

It actually depends on the restraint mechanism. I heard from one of the experts that these specific train cars did NOT have a "click" mechanism.

Anyway, I've seen lots of people jump to conclusions in other places, including the MEDIA, but I prefer to know what the investigation says first.

Oh, and one of the media outlets showed a headline that she fell 400 feet....which is only about 300 feet taller than this specific rollercoaster.

Is this a typo? I have ridden the Texas Giant numerous times and can confirm that it is larger than 100 feet. Actually, it is the highest steel hybrid roller coaster in the world and the highest drop us 14 stories. That's significantly more than 100 feet.

To be fair, this Six Flags has been open since the early 60s and has had now just 2 deaths. 2 is too many, of course, but it's not exactly a death trap.

I feel badly for the ride attendants who are already being raked over the coals in social media because of one woman's account which is, apparently, incorrect (regarding the clicks). This ride doesn't click when the bar goes down. Too bad the media didn't check out the accuracy of her statements before printing them. Those attendants were likely kids and until an investigation is done showing their actions were a cause here, I wish people would back off on the blame game. Wishful thinking, right?

Awful, awful tragedy.

I agree that it might be pertinent to point out that Six Flags over Texas was the first Six Flags. It is the oldest and has only recorded 2 deaths. Next month will mark its fifty-second birthday and to only have two deaths does show that it isn't as careless as some are painting it. This was a terrible thing that happened for sure, but we don't know for sure that they cut corners on safety and their record would help support quite the opposite. We should probably wait for the investigation to conclude before we say that Six Flags is known for cutting safety corners.


In any case, a person is dead, a family is changed forever, and many strangers are severely traumatized. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of these people.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

FWIW, Giant is 14 stories tall.

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

At the Six Flags over Kentucky, several years ago, a young teenage girl had both of her legs cut off by a cable that came loose while she was on a ride. The ride permanently closed and they closed the entire park a year or two later.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I remember this story, it was horrible enough for me to just hear about it. I can't even begin to think what it was like for that girl, her family, the people who witnessed it, or the people in attendance. Scary stuff.

I really don't know what to say about this latest tragedy

 

[ChrisFL]

Such a terrible story. My family and I heard about this while we were at Schlitterbahn today and it has really left me shaken. Terrible thing that has happened.


Is this a typo? I have ridden the Texas Giant numerous times and can confirm that it is larger than 100 feet. Actually, it is the highest steel hybrid roller coaster in the world and the highest drop us 14 stories. That's significantly more than 100 feet.


I agree that it might be pertinent to point out that Six Flags over Texas was the first Six Flags. It is the oldest and has only recorded 2 deaths. Next month will mark its fifty-second birthday and to only have two deaths does show that it isn't as careless as some are painting it. This was a terrible thing that happened for sure, but we don't know for sure that they cut corners on safety and their record would help support quite the opposite. We should probably wait for the investigation to conclude before we say that Six Flags is known for cutting safety corners.


In any case, a person is dead, a family is changed forever, and many strangers are severely traumatized. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of these people.

Texas Giant is closer to 150 feet, my mistake.

As far as 2 deaths in their history, Disneyland has had many more than that...at least 7 or 8.

 

[Jennasis]

Texas Giant is closer to 150 feet, my mistake.

As far as 2 deaths in their history, Disneyland has had many more than that...at least 7 or 8.

151.57480314966597 feet to be exact.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I have never seen any "lax" ride attendants at WDW. On the more intense rides (such as Dinosaur or Everest) they check that you are firmly in the ride more than once! You have to pull up on the yellow tab and show the attendant you are latched in before the ride starts.

That was something that quickly came to mind--how grateful I am that WDW does such a thorough job of checking we are all safely secured into the ride.

The water park workers at Six Flags STL are about 10x more cautious than the ones at Disney. Honestly, I wish they'd loosen up a bit. The lines take FOREVER!

 

[Mama Mouse]

I agree. WDW always seemed to have it down pat on being thorough about checking.

For the most part, yes, but not always.

My 10 year old was improperly restrained to the point that he got injured on Primeval Whirl at AK and I have no doubt if he didn't have a death grip on the bar, which was face level, and if my husband didn't have a death grip on him, he'd have flown out and it would have ended very badly.

And yes, I spoke to management after he came off the ride and I made sure he was ok except for some bumps and bruises. They confirmed it was a bad mistake and promised to go talk to the CMs immediately to fix the problem.

I always feel safe at Disney but accidents or slack employees can happen anywhere, unfortunately. Best to always be very insistent. If it had been me on the ride with my son instead of his father, we never would have left the station like that. People really have to look out for themselves. Sad, though. I think people just get so complacent, employees and the visitors alike, and feel safe and think nothing bad will happen.

I truly feel for this woman's family. I cannot imagine what they're going through right now.

 

[Mom21]

For the most part, yes, but not always.

My 10 year old was improperly restrained to the point that he got injured on Primeval Whirl at AK and I have no doubt if he didn't have a death grip on the bar, which was face level, and if my husband didn't have a death grip on him, he'd have flown out and it would have ended very badly.

And yes, I spoke to management after he came off the ride and I made sure he was ok except for some bumps and bruises. They confirmed it was a bad mistake and promised to go talk to the CMs immediately to fix the problem.

I always feel safe at Disney but accidents or slack employees can happen anywhere, unfortunately. Best to always be very insistent. If it had been me on the ride with my son instead of his father, we never would have left the station like that. People really have to look out for themselves. Sad, though. I think people just get so complacent, employees and the visitors alike, and feel safe and think nothing bad will happen.

I truly feel for this woman's family. I cannot imagine what they're going through right now.

Honestly, I think PW is one of the most dangerous rides at Disney. My dd is 16, and we don't go on it anymore and haven't in years. The few times we did we both came off with horrible bruises that took weeks to heal. Add the back and neck wrenching in, and I was whipped after that "kiddie" ride.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Honestly, I think PW is one of the most dangerous rides at Disney. My dd is 16, and we don't go on it anymore and haven't in years. The few times we did we both came off with horrible bruises that took weeks to heal. Add the back and neck wrenching in, and I was whipped after that "kiddie" ride.

I skipped it and I wish I hadn't. The bar was face level on my son so all that whipping around banged up his poor face. I'd love to give it a go sometime but I don't think ds will ever get near it again!

 

[LuLuO]

The water park workers at Six Flags STL are about 10x more cautious than the ones at Disney. Honestly, I wish they'd loosen up a bit. The lines take FOREVER!

I agree that they are super cautious at the water park. My kids wear Puddle Jumpers which are Coast Guard approved flotation devices and allowed in the park. But I guess from the guard stand it looks like they are only wearing floaties so we get whistled at several times a day while we're in the wave pool. But, I'm glad they're paying attention. There was a woman in the kiddie area by the pirate ship and myself and one other parent were the only ones actively watching our kids. She had her hands full but was very attentive. I wish I had gotten her name.

As for Disney, the ride that I feel the least safe on is the Astro Orbiter. I had my son with me and had a death grip on him (arms and legs). It felt as if he was going to be pulled right out of my arms.

I am so sorry for the family of the woman who died. I can only imagine how horrific that must have been for her child.

 

[maxiesmom]

I skipped it and I wish I hadn't. The bar was face level on my son so all that whipping around banged up his poor face. I'd love to give it a go sometime but I don't think ds will ever get near it again!

I have to say that seems odd as PW has one of tallest height restrictions of any ride at WDW. I can't imagine how awful that must have been for the both of you.

I do agree that it is one rough ride! They need to put some cushioning into those ride vehicles, I always come off with at least one bruise.

 

[luvsJack]

I have to say that seems odd as PW has one of tallest height restrictions of any ride at WDW. I can't imagine how awful that must have been for the both of you.

I do agree that it is one rough ride! They need to put some cushioning into those ride vehicles, I always come off with at least one bruise.

I haven't ridden, dd and dh have. Are the bruises from not been restrained enough or is it just the nature of the ride?

 

[maxiesmom]

I haven't ridden, dd and dh have. Are the bruises from not been restrained enough or is it just the nature of the ride?

It is both I think. The restraint is a bar that pulls down over your head. You actually share the restraint with another person, you sit 2 by 2, and you pull this large, somewhat padded bar down over the both of you.

The ride is very rough, it turns and spins all over the track. Plus you are going up and down hills as you are turning and spinning, so you can slam against the inside of the ride vehicle.

Having said all of that, I think it is great fun! But I do usually come off with a bruise or two.

 

[LBIJim]

That is what I thought too. They train their CMs well.

Question: Isn't there a panel that shows if all riders are securely fastened in? I thought the panel lit up green when all cars were securely fastened.

Dawn

Yes, there is some kind of panel which indicates when all the safety devices are securely fastened. The operator cannot release the coaster until this happens. So as far as the bored teenage ride attendants were concerned, the woman WAS secure in her seat. I'm speculating that either the panel malfunctioned or her individual restraint failed during the ride for some reason. I'm curious to learn of the cause.

The rebuilt Texas Giant is an awesome ride and I'm sorry to hear about this horrible incident.

Like as prior poster stated, I don't recall any clicking noises when the restraints are lowered, so I'm not sure what to make out of that witness's remarks.

Jim