In Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, a woman fell to her death while riding a roller coaster. The Coaster, known as the Texas Giant is billed as the tallest steel-hybrid coaster in the world. The Texas Giant first opened in 1990 as an all-wooden coaster but underwent a $10 million renovation in 2010 to install steel-hybrid rails before reopening in 2011. Hit the jump for more details.
Apparently the park is tight-lipped about the actual cause of death. Had it not been for eyewitnesses, the exact cause may not have been known. Despite park spokeswoman, Sharon Parker, confirming the death, it was made aware that the woman fell by Carmen Brown. She stated that the ride brings you up to drop you back down, but when it was time for the drop, the woman’s harness opened, causing her to fall to her unfortunate death.
Six Flags Over Texas opened in 1961 as the first in a successful chain of amusement parks across the country.
As a former SFOT employee, I will say this. The woman that claims to have seen her fall from the ride while waiting in line to get on the next train could not have seen what happened. You can’t see the back half of the track from the ride dock, which is why they have the safety brake position. So that the employee assigned to that position can watch the parts of the ride the operator cannot see. Please, keep in mind that nothing has been confirmed yet, so we really won’t know exactly what happened until the investigation is complete. This is truly a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the woman, as well as all the employees involved in this occurrence.