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Roller coaster related fatalities, United States, 1994--2004

A R Pelletier1, J Gilchrist

  • 1Bureau of Health, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Augusta, Maine, USA. arp1@cdc.gov

Injury Prevention : Journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention
|October 6, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Approximately four amusement ride deaths occur annually in the United States. This study analyzed roller coaster fatalities, identifying patron injuries and employee incidents to improve safety measures.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Injury Prevention
  • Amusement Ride Safety

Background:

  • Roller coasters are popular amusement rides with inherent risks.
  • Understanding roller coaster-related fatalities is crucial for public safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify roller coaster-associated fatalities in the U.S.
  • To identify common factors contributing to these incidents.

Main Methods:

  • Defined cases as deaths associated with roller coasters in the U.S. (May 1994-2004).
  • Utilized data from Consumer Product Safety Commission, Lexis-Nexis, Medline, and Safer Parks.

Main Results:

  • 39 incidents resulted in 40 fatalities (ages 7-77).
  • 73% of deaths were patrons; 28% involved employees.
  • Causes included external injuries (falls, collisions) and medical conditions (cardiac, intracranial hemorrhages).

Conclusions:

  • An estimated four U.S. roller coaster deaths occur yearly.
  • Prevention requires enhanced surveillance, safer ride engineering, improved employee training, and medical warnings.
  • Further research is needed on cardiac and neurological complications.

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