For the third time in under a year, the same roller coaster at Frontier City park stopped midway - a terrifying incident in which riders narrowly avoided Oklahoma City amusement park injuries.
In June 2017, ABC News reported riders were stranded on the ride, which had stalled out at the top of an incline. Officials reported the so-called "Silver Bullet" roller coaster simply stopped running mid-ride with riders trapped inside, watching highway traffic whiz by on I-35 some 100 feet below them.
All 20 riders were removed from the roller coaster and brought to safety below by Oklahoma City Fire Department officials and theme park workers. Luckily the park acted promptly and park riders were brought to safety.
The risks of amusement park rides
The incident at Frontier City illustrates how unreliable park rides can be and why it is important for park staff to uphold their duty of care to keep patrons safe. However, when injuries are sustained on amusement park rides, the park and its staff can be found negligent. The causes can range from failure to properly inspect rides to failure to act accordingly when an accident occurs.
According to an NBC News article, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that in 2016, roughly 30,900 injuries sustained at amusement parks resulted in hospital visits.
Additionally, the CPSC reports that since 2010, there have been a total of 22 fatalities on amusement park rides, including one that took the life of a fairgoer at the Ohio State Fair in July 2017.
Holding negligent parties accountable
Oklahoma's Safety Standards Division of the Department of Labor is responsible for performing inspections, licensing and renewing certificates of roller coasters and other amusement park features, per the Amusement Ride Safety Act, Title 40 of Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 460-460 and the Agency Administrative Rules 380:55.
Unsafe conditions on Oklahoma amusement park rides should be dealt with first by immediately notifying the ride owner or operator, followed by a report to the Safety Standards Division. All rides that have been inspected should have a license plate with a state ID number and a certificate, which must be available for viewing upon request.
In the event that you or a loved one was injured at an Oklahoma amusement park, you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you build a solid claim and maximize your compensation.