A ride on the popular roller coaster, El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure ended in disaster Thursday night, injuring at least 14 people.
What Happened
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at around 7:30 pm, shortly before the theme park closed for the evening. According to reports, the roller coaster supposedly lurched forward as passengers were trying to exit the ride.
When paramedics arrived on the scene, several riders were complaining of back pain. Initial reports claimed that only five people were injured, however, as of publication, the total number has increased to 14. According to law enforcement in Jackson Township, the injuries the riders sustained were minor; five guests were taken to the hospital. However, an official ruling as to what caused the accident has not yet been determined.
El Toro Has A Sordid Past
According to Six Flags’ website, El Toro is the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world. Reaching maximum speeds of 70mph, it has an initial drop of 176 feet.
While this latest incident is tragic, it’s far from isolated. Back in 2018, El Toro was shut down after a derailment injured at least nine people. Also in 2018, two riders complained of back pain after they departed the ride, whereas another had to be removed from the ride after falling unconscious. According to official injury reports filed between 2018 and 2021, El Toro ranked at the top of the list.
Injuries haven’t just been sustained on El Toro. Guests have also reported head injuries on other popular coasters like the Joker. One guest even reported lap bar malfunctions on another Six Flags coaster, Nitro.
Common Injuries Sustained At Six Flags
Over the years, guests have reported many types of injuries at Six Flags, including head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and injuries to their backs, necks, arms, and legs.
Though the incident didn’t occur at the New Jersey location, a young girl had her feet cut off by a loose wire back in 2007 while riding Superman Tower of Power at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.
Liability For Theme Park Accidents
No one goes to an amusement park expecting to get injured. So, when accidents and injuries occur, it’s important to know who you can hold responsible for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and if applicable, lost wages.
Under the Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Act (N.J.S.A. 5:3-31), owners of rides at fixed-sites (such as at Six Flags) not only need to register their rides with a permit, but they need to have random operational inspections throughout the year to ensure their safety. Furthermore, under New Jersey’s premises liability law, anyone who buys a ticket to an amusement park is technically considered to be a “business invitee.” As such, the owners of the amusement park have a duty to ensure a safe premises for all invitees.
This includes preventing harm to befall invitees as a result of insufficient employee training, operator negligence, and design defects (to name a few). If the owner fails to do this or fails to correct an unsafe condition (despite knowing about it), they can be held liable for any injuries an invitee sustains.
If you were injured while riding something at your local theme park, reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney, who can help you investigate what happened and help you pursue a compensation claim to get the money you need for your recovery.
Contact A Hackensack Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Amusement Park Accident Case In New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident at a theme park in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Camili & Capo, PA represent clients injured because of an amusement park in Hackensack, Newark, New Brunswick, Cedar Grove, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 834-8457 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1 Lower Notch Road, Little Falls, New Jersey 07424.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Here’s more information on what happened and what you can do if you find yourself the victim of a roller coaster malfunction at an amusement park.
