Tragedy struck a vacationing family from Colorado Springs when their six-year-old daughter was killed on a Haunted Mine Drop amusement park ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado. The girl’s name has not been released to the public or the media.
The accident occurred between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening during the Labor Day weekend. The Haunted Mine Drop ride is one of several at the amusement park in question. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located in Glenwood Springs, a very popular tourist destination about 160 miles west of the Colorado capital city of Denver.
The Haunted Mine Drop ride is described by the amusement park as the “first drop ride in the world to go underground, plunging riders 110 feet inside the dark depths of Iron Mountain in what feels like a free-fall.”
Park employees administered first aid to the girl in the direct aftermath of the accident. When paramedics arrived at the scene, the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy has been scheduled. Moreover, a comprehensive investigation is now underway to ascertain the specific cause of the Colorado amusement park accident. No information has yet been released regarding the investigation, what it will entail, or when officials believe that it will be concluded.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Issues Statement in Aftermath of Child’s Death
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park issued a statement night of the child’s death on one of the amusement venue’s thrill rides:
An incident occurred this evening, September 5, at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on the Haunted Mine Drop ride that resulted in a fatality. Authorities and emergency personnel have been dispatched and an investigation is in progress. Out of respect and concern for all parties involved, we will not have further comment until all details have been confirmed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park will be closed on Monday, September 6, and Tuesday, September 7.
Incidence of Amusement Park Accidents
The International Association of Amusement Rides and Attractions maintains that amusement park rides generally are “relatively safe.” The Association reports the following about the rate of amusement park accidents on an annual basis:
Approximately 1,200 injuries are reported to occur involving United States amusement park accidents every year. The injury rate is said to compute about one injury for every 15.5 million rides taken. According to the Association, about 385 million people in the U.S. take about 1.7 billion rides at what are classified as fixed-site amusement parks. A fixed-site venue is distinguished from a movable carnival-type enterprise that is “put up” in different locations. There are almost 440 fixed-site amusement parks in the United States and Canada at this juncture in time.
Most Common Types of Amusement Park Accident Injuries
As was noted previously, no specific information is yet available on the exact cause of the girl’s tragic death as a result of the Colorado amusement park accident. No information has been released about the specific injuries she sustained. With that said, the most commonplace types of amusement park accident injuries are:
- Neck injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back injury
- Injury (often fatal) from being flung from a ride
- Brain aneurysm
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Torn ligaments
- Drowning (waterpark amusement or thrill rides)
Protecting Your Legal Rights After an Amusement Park Accident
If you were injured in an amusement park accident, or if you have lost a family member in a fatal amusement park incident, the legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you. A nationwide law firm, you can reach us any time of the day or night by calling (800) 349-0000. Our amusement park accident lawyer hotline is staffed 365 days a year, including all major holidays.
We can schedule a consultation with an experienced, caring amusement park accident lawyer at any one of your 40 offices located across the country. We can also arrange a virtual case evaluation with an amusement park accident injury attorney online as well. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with an amusement park injury attorney from our firm.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee promise to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case for you.