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Credit: Canada's WonderlandA teenager has been seriously injured after falling from an attraction mid-ride at a popular theme park.
Terrifying though some theme park attractions may be, the entire point of boarding a thrill ride is supposed to be that you’re getting that adrenaline rush in a safe, controlled way. That’s why both ride manufacturers and theme parks implement extensive safety measures – so you can sit back and enjoy the ride with just the right amount of fear.
Sometimes, however, things don’t quite go to plan. Injuries are exceptionally rare at theme parks but can and do happen. For example, in April 2024, multiple guests were injured when a Universal Studios Hollywood tram car crashed into a guardrail during the park’s iconic Studio Tour.
Meanwhile, at Shanghai Disneyland, a young guest was run over by the newly opened Zootopia: Hot Pursuit in December after they got out of their ride vehicle to try to retrieve their lost Mickey ears.
Beyond Universal and Disney, we’ve also heard of a guest falling from a roller coaster at Welsh theme park Oakwood in 2022, as well as a derailing at Swedish theme park Grona Lund that left multiple guests injured and one dead in 2023.
Yet another incident has occurred this week – this time, at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario.
According to Entertainment Weekly, a 17-year-old girl has been hospitalized after falling from the swing ride “Swing of the Century” at the theme park.
“On Thursday, July 11, at approximately 2:35 p.m., ride operators on the Swing of the Century reported a guest injury. Park medical staff and EMS responded, and the guest was taken to hospital,” Grace Peacock, the park’s communications director, told EW. “An incident investigation is underway and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority has cleared the ride to re-open. The safety of our guests and associates is our top priority.”
Fellow guest Stefanie Campbell told Global News she was watching the Swing of the Century ride when the incident unfolded and saw that the girl’s “right leg was extended … her right leg was out of her seat.” She added that “each time she was going around she was falling more and more out of her seat. It got to the point where she was essentially holding onto the sides of the chair … and ultimately she fell.”
Constable James Dickson of the York Regional Police also told EW that local officers attended the scene at approximately 2.42 p.m. on Thursday but that “there was nothing considered criminal in this incident.” The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has since cleared the ride to reopen, and it was once again available to guests on Friday.
Swing of the Century has operated at Canada’s Wonderland since 1981. The ride – which was manufactured by German-based company Zierer Karussell- und Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH & Co. KM (also simply known as Zierer) – reaches heights of almost 42 feet. It’s not been said how high the ride was when the girl fell.
Canada’s Wonderland is owned by the newly formed Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, technically making it a Six Flags theme park. This was founded earlier this month after Six Flags merged with Cedar Fair, grouping the likes of Six Flags Over Texas, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Kings Island under one banner.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever experienced at a theme park?