https://youtu.be/6ojjp1kj_Xo
High on the summer activity list of many families are amusement parks, which not only provide fun and excitement, but also provide the type of rides that thrill seekers enjoy.
According to statistics from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), more than 335 people visit U.S. amusement parks each year, riding on more than 1.5 billion rides.
But a recent accident at one of Six Flags Great Escape Amusement Parks has brought up the debate of just how safe amusement park rides really are.
The incident happened last week in upstate New York and involved the Sky Ride. Witnesses say a teenage girl suddenly began dangling from the ride, at approximately 25 feet up from the ground. People gathered around under the girl and convinced her to let go so they could catch her. The crowd caught the girl, and she was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
A man in the crowd who helped catch her was also treated at the hospital for minor back injuries. The ride has been shut down pending an investigation into what happened.
This incident follows another tragic accident that recently occurred in Australia at Dreamworld. Patrons were riding in a raft on one of the water rides when two of them were ejected. Two other people then became trapped in either machinery or water from the ride. All four of the victims died.
And last year, at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas, a 10-year-old boy was killed when he sustained a neck injury and two other people in the same raft with him were injured in a giant waterslide accident.
Part of the issue with amusement and waterpark safety in this country is that there is no federal agency that oversees these establishments. And although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is in charge of inspecting any accidents that happen at county fairs and traveling carnivals, they do not conduct inspections.
Fixed parks, such as Six Flags and Disney World, have not been included under the agency’s bailiwick since the early 1980’s.
Upon hearing of this latest amusement park accident, attorney Larry Eisenberg commented, “Thankfully tragedy was averted in this accident and bystanders were able to save this young girl. But these accidents – whether caused by human error or ride malfunction – are unacceptable. This is what happens when there is no federal oversight.”
