However, in 2015, as two people sat in the cage, squeezed the railing tightly, and prepared for take-off, one of the cables snapped. There was a tube ride that was so overrun with people it became like Roller Derby. Mt. By the 1990s, attendance dropped. It sounded like American Gladiators in water. A lot of people have a fear of heights and a lot of people love the thrill; but after tragedy struck at a theme park in Santa Clara, people might be more afraid than not. What could possibly go wrong! She is a member of the Class of 2021 at Duke University, where she writes for the school newspaper, The Chronicle. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Disneyland is dubbed "the happiest place on Earth" for its copious amount of kids, fun shows and delicious food. Sports Illustrated recently published a 3,300-word article under the headline, Remembering Action Park, Americas Most Dangerous, Daring Water Park. And in 2014, Cory Booker, a United States senator from New Jersey and a Democratic presidential candidate, wrote on Twitter, Ive got stories 2 tell. Now a documentary is on the way. Despite its notorious legacy, many of those who grew up in the area of Vernon Township, New Jersey hold fond memories of the park and wear the memory of their injuries from Action Park like medals of honor. Statistically: 10 Most Dangerous Theme Parks In The World (No Family Should Consider), Rye Playland, NY: People Thrown From Rides And Food-Borne Illnesses, Six Flags, Multiple Locations: Roller Coasters Derailing With Passengers, King Island Amusement Park, Ohio:7 Injured On A Water Ride, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City: People Thrown From Rafts In Mid-Air, Mt. 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The parks Tarzan Swing catapulted helpless attendees into water so cold that it could induce shock, and triggered a lethal heart attack in 1984. Save The Video Game Industry? Naturally, this has resulted in numerous incidents at SCAD Towers around the world (including a 12-year-old girl who suffered multiple fractures, a brain injury, and was paralyzed for several years) , due to the nets being at the wrong height, not deployed at all, or people missing the net entirely. We would disappear for hours on end, no cell phones, no checking injust be back in time for dinner. It was a daredevils dream, just like these incredible amusement parks. My whole body shook, but I didnt let go. One water slide was designed to create zero Gs and the rider would take flight in the air while going down it. And remember, this attracted testosterone-laded kids, hopped up on who knows what, looking for trouble, and with no rules to follow. These incidents took place in the early 80s. Despite its low speed, Disney's Monorail has been responsible for more accidents and injuries than most roller coasters. To go down the water slides, kids were supposed to be instructed to hold their arms in front of them across their chest to avoid injury. I remember listening in terror as someone recounted going down an intensely steep waterslide and receiving what they called a freshwater enema.. 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The temperature of the water would practically put you in hypothermic shock, and my uncle once wiped out on the Alpine Slide.. ), But a lot of people, like Brent, a 45-year-old who also relocated to California as an adult, thinks the pain was worth it. She's based in Portland, OR where the coffee is good and the brunch spots always have lines. While most visitors often only left with a scrape or bruise, others were unlucky enough to receive broken bones, bloody noses, concussions, and worse. While there have been no major injuries reported at this park, it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong. Therefore, it's become known as one of the most dangerous amusement parks in the U.S. Sources: Fox News, The Independent, Amusement Safety.org, The Active Times, USA Today. According to The Seattle Times, Waterworld California in Concord is responsible for harming 32 teens. The Big One at Pleasure Beach Blackpool in Blackpool, England, was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1994, with a drop of 205 feet and maximum speeds of 74 miles per hour. Kids were getting rocked on this ride and having to be pulled out of the pool. In perhaps the most absurd ride in the park, the Cannonball Slide propelled riders vertically around a massive loop. Today, no one would even consider installing something like this. I decided to dig around and found, to my astonishment, that this was no mere urban legend, he tells me. Back in 2014, Mount Olympus had permanently closed a ride after a major accident. Every city had its own small version of Action Park. Undoubtedly, Americas most dangerous amusement park remains nostalgic for those who spent their summers there as a kid. Rather, it was an almost unavoidable aspect of Action Parks appeal. It was total chaos, but also super fun and a great way to grow up., For his part, Kimmel thinks all that fun as well as all that fear were simply one in the same. The 10 amusement parks below have a history of danger and negative reviews, which is why a family considering a trip like this should reconsider going to these specific parks below. Im 6-foot-5 and was built like a stick back then, he says. How bad is it? Who knows, but people still seemed cautious. There have been numerous water issues at the Sun Valley Water Park in Powder Springs, Georgia, according to the IAAPA. As her side hustle, she writes for The Travel and continues to feed into her own wanderlust, while helping others with theirs. Through a mix of archival footage, expert interviews, and detailed recreations, we'll take a closer look at the history and legacy of this infamous amusement park, and the impact that its lack of safety measures had on its visitors. Did The Nintendo R.O.B. I heard the rumors of someone dying in it.. This two-passenger ride consisted of a small metal cage, long cables, and supporting metal poles. This is the 80s, so they didnt have to disclose their injury reports, only the most serious. Nitro is basically a thrill ride which takes its riders on a sharp vertical dive and then immediately after that you'll find yourself 5,400 feet above the ground. Looking back, It seems pretty horrifying, but at the time, this was just par for the course. Still, if you need to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center, here's a tip: take the ferry. Ellie is a news and contributing feature writer for Theme Park Tourist. It doesn't matter which one you go to, things can happen anywhere. 1:38. Seriously, that's some bad press right there. I swam all around, trying to find the surface, but there was just darkness everywhere, and I couldnt get my bearings, he tells me. It's one of the most popular amusement parks in the world, but people might think twice after hearing about dangerous working conditions. ), A slide called the Cannonball (the first version) seemed like a safer bet. As youre riding down it, kids are shooting out of the tubes next to you. Across the pond, M&D's Motherwell theme park was fined over a ride crash. I vividly remember getting yelled at for throwing out four-day-old shriveled-up hot dogs that legit looked like Slim Jims, he says. Rules arent just being avoidedtheyre not even being enforced. Not only was the Alpine Slide among the parks premier attractions, in July 1980, it was also the site of the first fatality on the premises when a 19-year-old employees sled jumped the track, and he suffered a fatal head injury after striking a rock. Although it doesn't sound all that intimidating, it's responsible for harming a number of children. The Hong Kong citizens. #ActionPark, Why a Fake TV Simulator is the Perfect Addition to Your Home Security System, Princess Bride Trivia: 25 Inconceivable Facts About The Beloved Film, Richard Belzers Last Words Were, F*** you, Motherf*****!, 11 Things You Need To Consider Before Creating An Employee Wellness Program, Head Injury at The Alpine Slide July 8, 1980, George Larsson, Jr., a 19-year-old employee at the parks ski resort, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool July 24, 1982: 15-year-old boy, Electrocution at The Kayak Experience August 1, 1982, a 27-year-old man from Long Island, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool August 27, 1984: Donald DePass, 20-year-old from Brooklyn, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool July 19, 1987: Gregory Grandchamps, 18-year-old. Ultimately, Action Park closed due to legal issues. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. 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