On March 20, 2022, tragedy struck at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas when a fatal accident occurred on the X Coaster. The X Coaster, a popular roller coaster known for its thrilling twists and inversions, malfunctioned during a ride, resulting in the death of one rider. Eyewitnesses reported that the incident took place in the afternoon, causing panic and confusion among park visitors. It is unclear what exactly led to the malfunction of the coaster, but park officials immediately halted the ride and called emergency services for assistance. Local law enforcement and park management swiftly responded to the incident, closing off the area surrounding the X Coaster and launching an investigation into the accident. This tragic event touched the hearts of many, and an outpouring of support and condolences flooded in for the victim and their family.

Investigators claim they know cause of roller coaster accident that killed woman

A fatal roller coaster accident in Stockholm where some passengers plunged to the ground in June was caused by a newly installed "support arm breaking off so that the wheels on the cart fell off,” prosecutors said Wednesday.

A car on the Jetline roller coaster derailed at the Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park. Three people fell out and a woman died. Nine others were injured.

“We know what happened but still don’t know why it could happen. I am waiting for results from technical investigations that are not yet complete,” Christer B. Jarlås, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said in a statement.

He said the crime classification in the case is “grossly causing the death of another, grossly causing bodily harm and causing danger to another.”

The accident was caused by the front support arm of the train’s first carriage breaking, first on one side and then the other, causing the wagon wheels to fall off, Jarlås said.

Roller coaster derails in amusement park in Sweden, killing 1 person and injuring several others

1 / 3 Roller coaster derails in amusement park in Sweden, killing 1 person and injuring several others

Roller coaster derails in amusement park in Sweden, killing 1 person and injuring several others

Sweden Amusement Park Accident

Roller coaster derails in amusement park in Sweden, killing 1 person and injuring several others

Sweden Amusement Park Accident

Roller coaster derails in amusement park in Sweden, killing 1 person and injuring several others

Sweden Amusement Park Accident

He declined to give further details but told Swedish technical magazine Ny Teknik on Tuesday that the accident would not have happened “if the passengers had worn seat belts.” He said the ride was based “on the rider being held back by the g-force, not the safety bar" that prevents passengers from getting up.

The support arm had been installed this spring, Jarlås told Ny Teknik.

Tomas Ojala of the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority told Ny Teknik that they have “a good picture” of why the support arm broke off but that he doesn't want to “convey it right now.”

Ny Teknik wrote that the authority's technical report is expected in May or June.

The 800-meter (2,600-foot) roller coaster opened in 1988 and was renovated in 2000, according to Gröna Lund. It has a maximum height of 30 meters (98 feet) and a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph).

Roller Coaster Riders Left Hanging

A dozen riders on an Arkansas roller coaster spent half an hour hanging upside down — 150 feet above the ground — after a power outage shut down the attraction.

It took about 30 minutes for the city Fire Department to rescue the riders using a ladder truck Saturday evening, said Aundrea Crary, spokeswoman for the Springs & Crystal Falls amusement park.

Spectators cheered when the riders were brought to the ground from the highest point of a loop on the X-Coaster, but one passenger threw up after reaching safety.

The X-Coaster was one of several rides brought to a halt by the outage that originated somewhere near the park.

"You could tell who got off the (X-Coaster) because their faces were red," said Angela Salter. She was riding the Gauntlet, another coaster, and said park employees worked quickly to free her.

The park resumed normal operations, although the X-Coaster remained closed.

One X-Coaster passenger, Jay Plummer, 37, was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Medical Center in Hot Springs after complaining of neck pain and a headache.

"It was very scary," said his girlfriend, Connie McBride. "I love the amusement park, but I will never get on the X-Coaster again."

The park has experienced outages before, but usually they last only seconds, said Dan Aylward, Magic Springs president and general manager.

Entergy Corp. was investigating but crews found no faulty wiring.

"The cause could be a (tree) limb or as simple as an animal (on the lines)," said Mark Hunt, general manager of customer service for Entergy. "We could find no faults, but we are going to continue to investigate until we find the cause."

First published on June 10, 2007 / 3:51 PM EDT

© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Imagine Getting Stuck Like This

You've probably already heard about the terrifying accident Monday on the Ninja roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain: A derailed car struck a tree, injuring four and leaving the riders hanging perilously for three hours. Luckily, these kind of incidents aren't too common — in most ride malfunctions, things shut down and everyone gets out safe and sound. But even in those more mundane shutdowns, just the experience of hanging there for minutes or hours has got to be disorienting, frightening, and awful, right? The only thing that could possibly be worse — outside of the insanity that happened at Six Flags — would be to get stuck upside down.

But, oh yeah, that does happen. While it's less frequent, people do get stuck hanging there sometimes. Personally, I will never have to entertain this possibility: While I'm not so scared as to avoid all theme park rides, it's a matter of firm personal policy that I'll never set foot on a loop-de-loop, largely for reasons just like this. But some people out there are far braver, and unfortunately, the reward for that bravery has very occasionally been a long, grueling stay upside down. Argh.

1. The Mumbo Jumbo at Flamingo Land (2010)

At the time of the incident, the Mumbo Jumbo was the steepest roller coaster in the world, with a record-setting vertical angle of 112 degrees. In every sense, it figured to be an exciting run around the rails, but five passengers got the ultimate interruption — the cars halted dead, upside down, thanks to a poncho that somehow messed with the mechanism of the track. (Lesson here: Ponchos are never good.)

This, in a way, is a good thing. The sudden halts often aren't "breakdowns" but deliberate safety features, as was the case on the Mumbo Jumbo. Sadly, though, that safety mechanism landed those five people a tense, dizzy 20 minutes suspended upside down, 50 feet above the ground.

2. The X-Coaster at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls (2007)

Indeed, MSNBC, this can't be fun. While riding the X-Coaster at Arkansas's Magic Springs & Crystal Falls theme park, an unlucky dozen people got stranded hanging 150 feet above the ground for 30 minutes, a stoppage that park officials attributed to a bird or some manner of animal interfering with the coaster. One of the dozen was taken to the hospital for severe neck and head pain, while a little girl, according to rider Connie McDade, was frightened and suffered a nosebleed.

3. The Demon at Six Flags America (1998)

This was a big one. The Demon roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, had a hell of a shutdown in 1998, ultimately having consequences for both the passengers trapped aboard and the company itself. The riders were stranded upside down for an unthinkable two hours, while park officials and firefighters sought to free them. Four people ended up hospitalized.

Subsequent investigations suggested that the shutdown was the result of a safety system kicking in due to a mechanical failure, a fact which Great America emphasized in their own defense. But they didn't escape without paying a price — the riders were awarded $442,000 by a jury in 2001.

4. Chinese Father and Son Stranded Alone on Coaster (2011)

In 2011, at an amusement park in China's Shandong Province, a roller coaster ride boasting just two passengers, a father and son, broke down mid-loop, leaving the pair hanging helplessly while park staff tried to figure out what had gone wrong. Usually, these stories either end with the mechanical issues being straightened out, or the authorities being called in. But thanks to the damp ground beneath the coaster, soaked with recent rains, bulldozers and cherry-pickers were out of the question. The pair had to sit there for 30 minutes while staff tried to figure out what to do.

Their ultimate solution, as reported by The Telegraph, was simply to pull on the car with ropes until it dislodged, sliding down the rails to the bottom of the loop — a welcome ending, sure, but not as safe and practiced a strategy as you might like to see. Both father and son went to the hospital following the incident.

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This tragic event touched the hearts of many, and an outpouring of support and condolences flooded in for the victim and their family. Riding roller coasters has always carried inherent risks, and safety measures are put in place to minimize these dangers. Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, like many others, adheres to strict regulations and protocols to ensure the well-being of its guests.

As investigations into the X Coaster accident continue, it remains crucial for park operators to reevaluate and reinforce safety procedures in order to prevent such incidents in the future. Incidents like this prompt discussions about the safety of amusement park rides and the responsibilities of operators. The tragic loss of life serves as a solemn reminder that amusement park attractions carry certain risks, even with the best safety measures in place. In the aftermath of this unfortunate event, it is expected that Magic Springs Theme and Water Park will collaborate with authorities to determine the cause of the accident and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents. The priority must always be the safety and well-being of park visitors, and incidents like this underscore the need for continuous evaluation and improvement of safety standards in theme parks. As the investigation progresses, it is crucial for park-goers and amusement park enthusiasts to remain vigilant and informed about safety regulations and guidelines. Tragedies like the X Coaster accident are rare, but they serve as powerful reminders that caution and diligence are necessary when enjoying these thrill-seeking experiences. Ultimately, the X Coaster accident at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park will likely result in increased scrutiny and regulation in the amusement park industry. Through comprehensive investigations, safety improvements can be made to ensure that tragedies like this are avoided to the best of our ability..

Reviews for "Ride with Caution: Tips for Coaster Enthusiasts after the Magic Springs Tragedy"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Coaster Magic Springs Death. The ride was incredibly rough and jerky, making it quite uncomfortable. The coaster also lacked any thrilling elements or exciting drops that I look for in a roller coaster. Overall, it felt like a very lackluster experience and I would not recommend it to fellow thrill-seekers.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - Coaster Magic Springs Death was an absolute nightmare. The safety measures on the ride were poorly executed, with loose restraints that made me feel extremely unsafe. The coaster itself was very outdated and seemed to be poorly maintained. The ride was also very short, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and regretting my decision to get on it. I would highly advise against wasting your time and money on this disappointing coaster.

3. Chris - 2/5 - Coaster Magic Springs Death did not live up to its name at all. Despite its ominous title, the ride was far from thrilling. The coaster lacked any real excitement or adrenaline-pumping moments. Although I appreciate a smooth ride, this one was just plain boring. The lack of unique features or intense drops left me underwhelmed and wishing I had chosen a different coaster to ride.

The Aftermath: How Magic Springs is Coping with the X Coaster Accident