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Amusement park accidents can be costly

An amusement park accident at Paramount’s Kings Island near Cincinnati, OH has led to modifications to the Son of Beast roller coaster – but it may be little consolation to those already injured on the ride. On July 9, 2005, a “pothole” on the rails gave riders a jolt and sent 27 people to the hospital.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (Amusement Ride Safety Division) conducted an accident investigation and found that several supports on the wooden coaster were cracked, leaving a dangerous dip at one point along its path. A design review found that in fact there were 50 points along the ride where wooden beams were expected to support too much weight. This design flaw led to the split beams in the accident – and clearly could have led to a much worse accident.

The investigation also found that all safety protocol was followed including daily inspection of the ride before the park opened. The beams cracked during the accident, the investigation found, and could not have been identified during this inspection. The park was not fined as a result of this accident.

However before the ride could be reopened, the Department ordered that the park must:

Hire an engineering firm to do a complete structural review of the roller coaster
Fix any design and/or structural flaws
Reinforce the ride to reduce “side-to-side” movement of the structure
Strengthen all wooden parts of the ride with metal plates and bolts

The park decided to take safety one step further to prevent the possibility of future accidents by removing the famous 118-foot loop that was a key feature of the ride. Although the loop in itself was not deemed to be dangerous by the state or by park officials, it did require that the ride have heavier-than-normal cars. Lighter cars will “reduce the load on the physical structure and lead to a more comfortable ride experience," said park spokesperson Maureen Kaiser.

The Son of Beast was once touted as “the tallest, fastest and only looping wooden coaster on the planet.” When it reopens for the 2007 season, it will still feature a 214-foot drop on one hill and at times travel more than 78 miles per hour. And with lighter cars and a stronger structure, it will certainly be a safer ride.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an amusement park accident, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates for a full and free case review. In the world of amusement parks, there is no such thing as “accident.” Everything from design to construction to maintenance is (or should be) carefully scrutinized to ensure the absolute safety of its riders. Your injuries are likely the result of negligence – and you may be eligible for compensation. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates directly or fill in the free case evaluation form on this page to submit the details of your amusement park accident to learn more.