Thrills That Kill
Scariest Theme Park Accidents
October 6, 2022
Amusement parks. It doesn’t sound like something deadly or terrifying, right? They are one of the best trips if you ever crave the feeling of fun, excitement, adventure, or joy. Some of the many attractions that cost at amusement parks are restaurants, souvenir shops, snack bars, shows, and other entertainment, and of course, you cannot forget the rides! Roughly 375 million people visit amusement parks every year!
So, it seems like a family-friendly trip to go on. You may have never heard of an accident at a theme park before. The most frightening thing you remember at a theme park is the screaming, but that comes from the thrill, right?
Well, in some fatal situations, it isn’t. Sometimes, there are some freaky malfunctions, and things don’t always end up cheery and happy. Here are some spine-chilling events that happened at amusement parks.
The latest tragic amusement park accident happened at ICON Park on March 24, 2022, when a 14-year-old boy plummeted to his death while riding the Orlando FreeFall. The boy fell out of his seat and dropped 430 feet due to a locking malfunction that is still being investigated.
One of the more terrifying amusement park accidents occurred on July 15, 2018, at an amusement park in Karachi, Pakistan. A ride that swings passengers back and forth from a large pendulum broke down in the middle of the operation. This incident injured 25 people, and a 12-year-old girl was killed during the accident.
On December 24, 1998, a large, metal cleat ripped free from the side of a ride called Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland. As it fell, it hit two park guests and one Disney cast member. One of the visitors, a 33-year-old man, suffered a severe head injury, and later died in the ICU. It was the first-ever Disneyland ride death in which the guest wasn’t at least partially at fault.
Now, I’m not saying that you should be scared of theme parks at all, theme parks are very safe! The odds of being injured or killed by a theme park ride are slim, but never zero.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has reported that the odds of being seriously injured on an amusement park ride in the United States are 1 in 15.5 million rides taken. Overall, amusement park rides are an amazing and safe way to have a fun day. What is your favorite theme park?
Vida Lopez • Sep 22, 2023 at 3:39 pm
These stories got me interested, you should write more :)! I also feel really bad about the people. 🙁
Mia Panek • Feb 28, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Rollercoasters
Eden Anderson • Nov 10, 2022 at 2:26 pm
you need to tell more stories
Parker Schlarmann • Nov 10, 2022 at 11:06 am
I’ve been on that pirate ship at Disneyland!
Mrs. Easterbrook • Oct 8, 2022 at 10:57 am
Wow, I never knew about these terrible accidents!
Hana • Oct 7, 2022 at 10:26 pm
I really like the title, it got me interested!
Peyton • Oct 7, 2022 at 4:06 pm
That drop must be terrible.
Kannon • Oct 7, 2022 at 3:49 pm
I liike how you really explain the article, nice!
Gianna • Oct 7, 2022 at 3:47 pm
This is why i am afraid of roller coasters. fr It is informatinal thank you .
Sophie Stempson • Oct 7, 2022 at 3:44 pm
I love this article! Great job
Elyssa Beth M. • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:59 pm
I love what you have, but I really want to know more about each incident. For example, is the person ok afterwards or how there family feels. I think you should dig deeper into one story rather the writing multiple stories with not that much background.
Eden Anderson • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:58 pm
this was so interesting
Parker Salazar • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:58 pm
This is giving me serious Final Destination vibes. It is really, really good, keep going with the horror story type stuff.
Ezra Butkiewicz • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:58 pm
that’s scary. i like the artical, good job
Brayden Hartman • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:57 pm
I never knew disneyland had an accident before, I know the rides break down but never that tragic. Plus I have been going there for years! Thanks for the info and great job!
Luke Turner • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:56 pm
I think the same as Guiliana. That would be terrifying to watch!
May Regev • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:54 pm
I have never thought about it like that. I mean, I knew there was a chance you could get hurt , But I never thought it was so severe, I’m glad I got informed, and I was very interested in this story and it amazed me how so many emotions and feelings could be felt by some well written words. This was cool to read.
Matthew Perry • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:54 pm
great, I loved this news paper lots of info.
Guiliana Deis • Oct 7, 2022 at 12:28 pm
These are terrifying! I couldn’t imagine what people must have thought when they saw this occured! Great Job!
Brayden Hartman • Oct 7, 2022 at 2:57 pm
I never knew disneyland had an accident before, I know the rides break down but never that tragic. Plus I have been going there for years! Thanks for the info and great job!