VIDEO: The Most Tragic Rollercoaster and Amusement Park Disasters
There are two kinds of people. Those that enjoy being thrilled and the adrenaline levels rising and like to do dangerous things to feel alive and those that are afraid of anything the least bit scary or dangerous and would just rather play it safe.
Still, both kinds usually enjoy fairs and rollercoasters, some more than others, but even those that are afraid will try them once, at least one that’s a bit safer. The problem is that while they might seem safe, some really are not.
According to therichest.com, everyone remembers the 2008 tragedy when that kid jumped over two fences (with warning signs all over the place) to retrieve his lost hat, only to have his head punted off by Batman’s bloodthirsty roller coaster at Six Flags.
Although a similar event happened years earlier on the same ride, the ride itself was actually very safe. It was people like the boy, who simply wouldn’t let his prized heirloom go, that caused those tragedies. Suffice it to say, it is suggested to never climb onto the tracks of a roller coaster – in progress or not.
This list is different. These rides are decidedly NOT safe, and many of them have disastrous track records. All of these deadly accidents took place from ride malfunctions that generally weren’t the people’s fault.
Expoland, located in Suit, Osaka, Japan, was a thriving amusement park for 37 years. It was opened at the International Exposition in 1970, with more than 40 rides and attractions, and 19 shops and restaurants. Things took a turn for the worst on May 5, 2007.
In Japan’s worst amusement park disaster, The Fujin Raijin II roller coaster was derailed, and cars went flying off the tracks. A 19-year-old University student was killed, and 19 others were injured.
An investigation showed that a broken axle caused the derailment, and none of the ride’s axles had been replaced for 15 years. Similar coasters across Japan were closed for inspection of the same problem, and Expoland was cited by authorities for faulty maintenance when similar cracks were found at a different coaster a month later.
The park reopened but quickly closed on December 9, 2007, never to reopen again. The park cited “a lack of customers” as the reason for closing.
Action Park is known as one of the most dangerous, deadliest, theme parks ever built. It was opened in 1978 and closed in 1996 due to injury reports and a decline in customers.
It also had one of the first water parks in modern America. Six people are known to have died from rides at Action Park, due to drownings, electrocution, a heart attack, and a face smashed on a rock.
Arguably the most dangerous attraction at Action Park was the wave pool, nicknamed the “Grave Pool” by locals. It was the first turbulent water-bound mosh pit of its kind, with at least 12 lifeguards always on duty and as many as 30 saves being performed over a busy weekend.
On July 24, 1982, a 15-year-old boy drowned in the pool. Two years later, on August 27, 1984, a 20-year-old drowned, and on July 18, 1987, an 18-year-old met the same fate.