ARLINGTON, TX/ SANDUSKY, OH (KDFW/ WJW)- The investigation resumes Saturday into the Friday night death of a woman riding the Texas Giant roller coaster at 6 Flags Over Texas in Arlington.
6 Flags spokeswoman Sharon Parker says “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The investigation into the death at Texas Giant is still ongoing. We are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the accident. The ride will remain closed. In addition, we have canceled the concert that was scheduled for today.”
It’s unclear where the woman fell out of the cart. The accident happened at around 6:45 p.m.
Arlington Fire Department used a ladder truck to get to where the woman’s body had fallen onto a platform below the roller coaster.
This is not the first death to have occurred at Six Flags Over Texas. In March of 1999, a 28-year-old woman died after the raft she and 10 others were on flipped over on the Roaring Rapids ride. According to the Six Flags Over Texas website, the Texas Giant has the world’s steepest drop. The ride, which is 14 stories high, opened in 1990 with a wooden track. It was reintroduced on April 22, 2011 with a steel track.
The ride is still closed as the investigation continues.
Also on Friday, Cedar Point said several passengers were evaluated for injuries and one taken to the hospital Friday night, after the Shoot the Rapids ride malfunctioned.
Just after 6:30 p.m., operators stopped the ride after park officials said a boat rolled back down the lift hill. According to witnesses at the scene the boat rolled back down the hill and then flipped over. All seven guests on the boat got checked out at the park’s first aid station. Six were evaluated by Cedar Point EMS staff and released.
The guest who was taken to Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky for further evaluation was released Friday night.
The incident was reported to state of Ohio officials.
Shoot the Rapids will remain closed until a review is complete.
