Alexandra Schonfeld is a features writer at PEOPLE. Thrill-seekers who rode El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure flooded social media with their own horror tales after learning that five people were hospitalized . According to Six Flags' website, the rollercoaster, which reaches a top speed of 70 miles per hour, climbs nearly 19 stories high for a drop of 176 feet at a 76 degree angle making it the steepest drop on a wooden-style roller coaster in the United States. No one was injured. Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. After numerous complaints and five hospitalizations, the El Toro ride was closed for the night. Six Flags was fined $5,000 for failing to notify the state agency by phone immediately after the incident, Ryan said. Ambulances responded to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey after several riders complained of back injuries. "(Justin) was an all-around nice student and will be fondly remembered by the High School North community," Middletown North Principal Patricia Vari-Cartier said. A train on the ride failed to return to the station after it stopped a few yards before the brake run and the ride was locked down three minutes later before it was cleared, a report on the incident said. How we can build a clean and renewable future. U.S. News New Jersey accident Six Flags. Six Flags says local ride made by manufacturer at center of - Atlanta 4:54 PM on Apr 11, 2022 CDT. Some passengers were taken to the hospital after firefighters helped them down with cherry pickers. It says "This beast bucks wildly, so hang on tight! A spokesperson for the park told NBC4 that several people reported back pain and five were transported to the hospital. Theres a new law that you need to know about, Officer Don Kennedy, longtime WSB-TV childrens show host, dies at 93, 6-mile stretch of Chattahoochee River closing for extremely dangerous E. coli levels, sewage spill. He died surrounded by his family. Contents 1 La Ronde 1.1 Le Vampire 2 2.1 Octopus 2.2 Renegade Rapids 2.3 Two-Face: The Flip Side 2.4 The Joker's Jinx 3 Six Flags Discovery Kingdom 3.1 Animal attacks 3.2 Boomerang 3.3 Scat-A-Bout Business Wire (Left) USA TODAY. All rights reserved. Officials with the state DCA, which inspects amusement rides, temporarily shut down the roller coaster immediately after the incident. August 26, 2022 4:17pm. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Mom dies after falling from roller coaster at Six Flags in Texas Although the park's attractions are usually considered to be safe, enough accidents have occurred to cause concern. The incident was under investigation by the county sheriff's and fire departments. At Least 19 People Dead After Fire Destroys Casino in Cambodia, Dozens More Still Missing or Injured. Six Flags roller coaster incident: Multiple people injured on El Toro Share currently playing on Facebook (Opens a new window), Share currently playing on Twitter (Opens a new window), Georgia football recruiting: Backbone Time for the 2024 recruiting class is here, WATCH: Georgia football holds its own combine to help further prepare players for the NFL, Georgia football faces questions at inside linebacker but Glenn Schumann should have answers. Aug 26, 2022, 04:37 PM EDT | Updated Aug 26, 2022. Date: August 16, 1981 Park: Six Flags Great Adventure (N.J.) Story: A park employee fell to his death during a test ride because, according to the park, he "may have assumed an unauthorized. A branch fell onto the Ninja roller coaster track shortly before 6 p.m., Six Flags representative Sue Carpenter said. First aid teams were dispatched to Six Flags Great Adventure for a report of multiple injuries suffered on El Toro, according to authorities. 2023 Cox Media Group. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs said there were reports of a 'loud bang' and a 'jolting' during operations. Riders hurt on El Toro roller coaster at Six Flags Great - PIX11 Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Part of HuffPost News. Video shows moments before Six Flags log flume accident El Toro Six Flags Accident (Sep) What happened at Six Flags? Eleven of 22 people were stuck on the ride, with four people in the front car . It was last inspected in December. ICON Park, where Sampson was killed, said it is working with investigators. (PHOTO: Six Flags Over Georgia). Before the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, closed on Friday night, more than a dozen people were injured when the El Toro roller coaster malfunctioned, according to People. 0:29. Emergency crews brought water to passengers stuck more than 150 feet in the air on the top of the Superman Ultimate Flight roller coaster. She said rules apply to any failure of critical structural or mechanical component, regardless of cause.. (PHOTO: Six Flags Over Georgia), Teen dies after falling from Orlando Free Fall ride. A Six Flags spokesperson previously said guests were on the ride at the time and there were no injuries. "All necessary modifications have been completed, and El Toro is expected to reopen this spring following extensive testing, inspections by internal and external experts, and state certification by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs," the park said in a statement last February per the paper. A woman riding the Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas fell to her death on July 20. Six Flag said its rides are consistently inspected. Roller Coaster Derails at California's Six Flags Magic Mountain ", "(Justin) was an amazing person," said Austin Blaylock, who knew him through online gaming. DCA does expect (El Toro) to open this spring following an annual inspection and ride permit release, she said. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. Six Flags boasts on its website that El Toro is one of the best wooden rollercoasters in the world with a 176-foot drop and speeds up to 70mph. With an initial drop of 176 feet, the coaster reportedly reaches speeds of 70 mph. ", Initial Patch report: Middletown Teen Who Died In Six Flags Accident Remembered As Funny, Amazing, Well-Liked (Sept. 2017), Be the first to know. Some witnesses said the woman wasn't properly secured and park spokesperson . The money will go to Dill's parents. Five guests were taken to a local medical facility for evaluation. How can You Detect The Cancer with Blood Test? Middletown Fire Hosts Touch A Truck July 24 In Mater Dei Parking Lot. Five of those people had to be taken to the hospital with injuries to their neck, back, mouth and tongue. He was also a member of St. Catherine's youth group. Passersby found her at the bottom, floating unconscious.. While the cause of the partial derailment and recommendations to fix it were determined, the information is proprietary, Six Flags spokeswoman Kristin Fitzgerald said. Six Flags Roller Coaster Accident: Was Harness Locked Properly? A woman riding the Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas fell to her death on July 20. She has been working at PEOPLE since April 2022. More than a dozen people were injured after a malfunction on a roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure. 2.1K views Coaster Studios 2. Alec Baldwin: Unscripted . A teenager who lost his hat while riding a Batman roller coaster at the Six Flags in Georgia was decapitated after he jumped over the fence surrounding the ride to retrieve the hat. That was when he was hit by the front tire of an aerial work platform, according to NJ Law Journal. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The DCA subsequently red-tagged the ride at the time and had its operations halted pending an engineering review. Six Flags announced earlier this week that the popular El Toro ride would re . At the time of his death, many in Middletown released statements of support for his family. Six Flags Coaster in Frightening NJ Accident to Stay Shut Down Over Both a state official and Six Flags spokeswoman said a specific date when the ride will re-open to guests was not currently available. At the end of October 2021, the agency indicated new tracks and bolts were being installed on the ride. Henry County: Big Delays I-75 in both directions for Holiday Travel. The coaster, which was shut down after partially derailing last summer, left five riders with back, neck or mouth and tongue injuries. El Toro, a popular wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. 7 taken to hospital after electrical malfunction on Mr. Freeze ride at MIDDLETOWN, NJ The family of a 19-year-old Middletown teen who was killed in an accident while working at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2017 reached a $1.7 million settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit, New Jersey Law Journal reported. December 12, 2022. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Subscribe to 95.5 WSB newsletter(Opens a new window), 95.5 WSB facebook feed(Opens a new window), 95.5 WSB twitter feed(Opens a new window), 95.5 WSB instagram feed(Opens a new window), Six Flags Over Georgia says it has inspected one of its rides following a deadly accident at an Orlando theme park. All Rights Reserved. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. She felt a bump, almost like hitting a pothole. Six Flags says local ride made by manufacturer at center of fatal fall Early in the morning, 6:30 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 Dill was at the park, stringing up lights. A Six Flags roller coaster remained closed for inspection Friday after an incident Thursday night sent five people to the hospital. Six Flags Great Adventure was fined for failing to appropriately notify the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs that its El Toro roller coaster partially derailed last June, state officials told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. He was a member of Middletown Boy Scouts, and enjoyed camping, fishing and gaming. All necessary modifications have been completed, and El Toro is expected to reopen this spring following extensive testing, inspections by internal and external experts, and state certification by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the amusement park said at the time. Emergency medical personnel attended to an injured park guest at the Superman Ride of Steal roller coaster after two cars on the ride collided and injured at least 19 people. The Asbury Park Press reported that the coaster had re-opened this year after a partial derailment last summer left the ride "red-tagged" by the state Department of Community Affairs. Stay up to date with everything Boston. the tragic death of Justin Dill of Belford, Middletown Teen Who Died In Six Flags Accident Remembered As Funny, Amazing, Well-Liked. ATLANTA Six Flags Over Georgia says it has inspected one of its rides following a deadly accident at an Orlando theme park. The four people up front had minor injuries, according to an L.A. County Fire inspector. A woman fatally shot an Uber driver. Six Flags says local ride made by manufacturer at center of fatal fall JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WPVI) At least a dozen people were hurt on a Six Flags roller coaster in New Jersey Thursday night. Six Flags reported witnesses hearing a loud bang and seeing jolting from the El Toro roller coaster as it was in operation. They aren't sure yet what caused it. The Asbury Park Press reported that while police presence was not requested at the scene, first aid teams and other first responders were dispatched to offer assistance. Patch wrote about the tragic death of Justin Dill of Belford when it happened: Dill, who grew up in Middletown, was a 2016 graduate of Middletown High School North and was training to be an electrician. The ride is now ready for its annual safety inspections by internal and external experts. Facebook Twitter Instagram. Six Flags Great Adventure 'El Toro' roller coaster leaves some injured JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WPVI) - At least a dozen people were hurt on a Six Flags roller coaster in New Jersey Thursday night. The ride apparently malfunctioned around 7:30 p.m., just before the park closed at 8 p.m. A representative for Six Flags Great Adventure told PEOPLE the park had no comment at this time. The young man was an apprentice with the electricians' union at Great Adventure. Six Flag said its rides are consistently inspected. Tyre Sampson, 14, fell from the "Free Fall" ride at ICON Park in . Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. They said that even though its a swing ride, they still inspected it to be safe. The rescue operation was expected to last until about 10 p.m., but the final two riders were rescued at about 8:40 p.m. An L.A. County Sheriff's station is located inside the park, and deputies were able to respond immediately. I heard someone say their back was hurting," Core said. The safety of our guests is paramount. A girls toes were crushed on a gravity ride at the park in Illinois when a ride operater raised the floor of the Cajun Cliffhanger before the ride was finished. Tyre Sampson, 14, fell from the. Footage of last Junes mishap posted on YouTube showed a train of six empty cars stopped on the tracks ahead of an incline. A man died and his wife was injured after a gondola car they were riding in fell 50 feet. Berlusconi dead. Jan 05, 2022. They have since been treated and released. Six Flags told Action News on Friday that all the people injured have been released from the hospital. Fourteen riders were hurt after the reported bump. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. All riders were alert, conscious and talking, Carpenter said. While a spokesperson for the Jackson Township Police Department told Fox News Digital the injuries were minor bumps and bruises, this isnt the first time El Toro has malfunctioned. Updated: Aug 26 . His stepfather also died while seeking help. Woman falls to her death on 'Texas Giant' roller coaster ride at Six Flags amusement park. Core heard some of those complaints as she was getting off. Incidents at Six Flags parks | Six Flags Wiki | Fandom Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Expect a hot, smoky summer in much of America. A branch fell onto the Ninja roller coaster track shortly before 6 p.m., Six Flags representative Sue Carpenter said. You may be offline. Fentanyl poisoning. Tyre Sampson, 14, fell. Act of God or a generic accident ( e.g., lightning strike, slipping and falling), that is not a direct result of an action on anybody's part. Out of an abundance of caution, our engineers completed a thorough review of the attraction. The accident. Six Flags was fined $5,000 for failing to notify the state agency by phone immediately after the incident, Ryan said. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The park remained open and other rides were in operation during the rescue effort. Our journalism needs your support. Sign up below to be added to our mailing list for the latest news updates, access to exclusive contests, and more! The work platform was driven by another Six Flags employee, who reversed the machine back off of him. A 13-year-old girl riding a vertical roller coaster in Kentucky was injured when a cable snapped and severed her feet. Six Flags Over Georgia logo Six Flags Over Georgia says it has inspected one of its rides following a deadly accident at an Orlando theme park. 1 min read Six Flags Over Georgia says it has inspected one of its rides following a deadly accident at an Orlando theme park. Chamas and the Dill family alleged that the company did not correctly train Six Flags employees to use the machine safely. Six Flags' Safety Record After Multiple People Injured on Ride - Newsweek Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Why dont the Electoral College and popular vote always match up? Aug 25, 2022 / 08:54 PM EDT. Of the five people hospitalized, two suffered back injuries, two others hurt their mouths and tongues and the fifth injured their neck. Mechanics and special tools were utilized in the rescue effort. That ride will once again remain closed while it is inspected. Ryan said inspecting a ride the size of El Toro usually takes a few days and those reports are returned within a few weeks. Before the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, closed on Friday night, more than a dozen . Everything you love about wsbradio.com and more! "Justin was so smart, funny, and unique and I loved having him in my class at Middletown High School North," teacher Lindsay Rath said in a condolence left on his obituary.