Six Flags Investigates Fatal Accident on Texas Giant Coaster

By Dan Hart | July 22, 2013

  • July 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm
    mightyquinn says:
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    The lady was 300+ lbs. She obviously did not lock in the safety equipment – bar, cover, etc. – so it becomes the attendant’s action and the park’s liability. Would it not be prudent and possible to lock down the coaster leaving the station until all bars and covers are digitally confirmed to be locked in? Then it seems reasonable that a person who could not do that could not ride? Kids are prevented from riding certain rides because of their size. Cannot grossly obese persons be limited from riding without an ADA suit courtesy of the ACLU? As long as America continues its march to obesity this will be a problem that should easily be preventable.

    • July 22, 2013 at 3:00 pm
      Dodie says:
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      My sons & daughter worked many summers at Six Flags in NJ. Ride operators must be at least 16 and they are certified. The rides cannot move unless all bars, etc. are locked. It is not the responsibility of the rider to ensure this, it is the park’s and the operator. There are rides in the park with weight limitations, guess this wasn’t one of them. The size of this passenger is irrelevant and once again discrimination against obese people reels its ugly head. Before you ask, no I am not obese. I believe the park the safety mechanism malfunctioned and the park will be at fault

      • July 23, 2013 at 8:45 am
        ExciteBiker says:
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        Would you feel comfortable entrusting your safety to a fresh faced 16-year old probably making minimum wage with zero real world job experience? The last time I went to this Six Flags most of the ride operators looked like they were too young to drive a car let alone reliably evaluate the efficacy of safety features on a high speed coaster. These are kids that would otherwise be bagging groceries, mowing the neighbors grass or scooping fries into paper containers.

        • July 23, 2013 at 9:20 am
          Nebraskan says:
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          Please remember, this is in Texas, where no regulations are required.

          I’ve been to this park and while I’m not trying to single this lady out for being overweight, she couldn’t be the only one of substantial size riding this coaster. I would bet a good amount of money, there was at least one other person on the coaster at the same time she was, that was of questionable size.

          I don’t think this has anything to do with the staffers being of a certain age, I have a feeling it has more to do with the staffer was screwed either way. Lawsuits abound if you tell someone they are too heavy to ride and Lawsuits abound when the heavy person falls from said ride.

    • July 24, 2013 at 1:04 am
      kitty says:
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      and how do you know she was 300+ pounds, she does not look that heavy, how dare you say someone is a certain weight by looking at them.

  • July 22, 2013 at 2:29 pm
    Big Mike says:
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    @mightyquinn, can you add a link or Google reference to follow this story? Thanks!

    • July 23, 2013 at 9:41 am
      jw says:
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      dallasnews.com

  • July 22, 2013 at 2:30 pm
    Original Bob says:
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    When I went on a spelunking tour at a National Park there was a rectangular shaped wooden box open at both ends with a sign on it that said “if you cannot squeeze through this, you will not be allowed on this tour”. That’s probably not a bad idea for it takes judgement out of the decision on who can safely participate in an activity – just like a height requirement sign.

  • July 23, 2013 at 10:10 am
    Libby says:
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    “A witness to the death of the woman who fell from a Texas roller coaster last week said she overheard the victim tell an employee before the ride departed that her lap bar might not be secure.

    “She was no bigger than I was, like that could have happened to me,” witness Brown said.

    “Safety experts say seats are built for adults who weigh 180 pounds. It’s unclear how much Esparza weighed, but Texas Giant does not have a weight restriction.”

    Not looking good for Six Flags…

  • July 23, 2013 at 12:41 pm
    Celtica says:
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    Has anyone seen Texas advertise in other states lately about the lack of government interference with running businesses?

    • July 23, 2013 at 1:44 pm
      Captain Planet says:
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      Gov. Rick Perry came to Iowa, stepping all over “fellow Republican” Terry “The ‘Stache” Brandstadt. Don’t know what he was doing here. Iowa taxes are favorable with adequate regulation and our unemployment rate is a couple ticks above 4%. Maybe one of those 3 things Mr. Perry forgot is, Iowa is doing fine. And, we have marriage equality to boot!

  • July 24, 2013 at 12:12 pm
    Mike says:
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    I have been on this ride a number of times and it’s one of the best wooden roller coasters in the world. The last time I rode it I was in the very back car and I remember it being a very rough ride, though I had no fear of falling out we did get tossed around in the seats a lot.

    If the ride isn’t supposed to function without the seats working then it sounds like something went wrong/broke. How in the world is that the fault of Gov. Perry like some on here seem to be claiming?

  • July 24, 2013 at 1:17 pm
    draetish says:
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    Mike it’s the lefties on this forum that blame Rick Perry, stick around and you’ll see how hateful they are towards people on the right.

  • July 29, 2013 at 10:37 am
    SEAN says:
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    EVERYBODY CALM DOWN- THIS WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. WHICH IS WHY INSURANCE EXISTS…

  • July 29, 2013 at 3:05 pm
    Robert Hill says:
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    To die while amusing yourself is a bad way to go. Like choking to death while eating. Hopefully she was a reluctant passenger, there mainly to be with her kids, to try to give them a fun day and happy memories.



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