Earlier than the Six Flags Nice Journey theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, closed on Friday evening, greater than a dozen individuals had been injured when the El Toro rollercoaster malfunctioned, in response to Folks. 5 of the riders had been hospitalized with again, neck, and mouth accidents.
Six Flags initially stated 14 riders had been handled onsite following the incident, in response to the New Jersey Division of Group Affairs (DCA) as reported by ABC-owned and operated WPVI-TV. The theme park company later up to date the quantity to 13 riders as a substitute in an announcement Friday. Of the 5 individuals hospitalized, two suffered again accidents, two others damage their mouths and tongues and the fifth injured their neck.
“A number of friends reported again ache after driving El Toro this night,” Gabriel Darretta, a Six Flags spokesperson, informed The Asbury Park Press. “5 friends had been taken to a neighborhood medical facility for analysis. The trip is closed for inspection.”
The El Toro is likely one of the tallest rollercoasters on the planet. It not solely climbs almost 19 tales excessive however reaches 70 miles per hour whereas dropping 176 ft in a nauseating 76-degree downward plummet that makes it the steepest wood coaster in America, in response to Six Flags.
“Any upkeep and repairs essential might be accomplished and the trip might be re-inspected by our engineers, upkeep professionals, our third-party impartial security inspectors and the state of New Jersey previous to re-opening,” Six Flags informed WPVI-TV in an announcement.
Whereas a spokesperson for the Jackson Township Police Division informed Fox Information Digital the accidents had been minor “bumps and bruises,” this isn’t the primary time El Toro has malfunctioned. The trip reopened this yr after partially derailing on June 29, 2021.
The DCA subsequently “red-tagged” the trip on the time and had its operations halted pending an engineering evaluation. The division concluded the rear-up wheel, which prevents the rail-bound vehicles from lifting, had someway been dislodged — miraculously sparing a single rider from accidents.
“All essential modifications have been accomplished, and El Toro is anticipated to reopen this spring following in depth testing, inspections by inner and exterior consultants, and state certification by the New Jersey Division of Group Affairs,” the amusement park stated on the time.
Whether or not the DCA will fantastic Six Flags Nice Journey — because it did after final yr’s partial derailment — or take extra drastic measures stays to be seen.
