Ocean City in New Jersey at Gillian's Wonderland Pier Then there was the Colorado River Ride. But, yes, unfortunately, there were deaths. Deadly or not, teeth were often lost sometimes embedded in the top of the loop and it proved dangerous enough that it was only operational for about a month. How is this real? Anyway, my uncle ultimately smashed the barrier hard enough on his last run to dislocate his shoulder, and we went home., James, a 46-year-old from Trenton, had gone to more traditional amusement parks as a kid, but a cool aunt turned him on to Action Park. You never know how youll have to get down this ride. The victim was thrown from the car down an embankment. It appealed to our love of risk and danger. I remember some guy yelling, LET GO! So I did. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Like: What the heck were my parents thinking taking me there? Boats would regularly flip over. Action Park came out at the right time, in the right place, with the right approach. Action Park came out at the right time and only could have existed during the 80s. It's responsible for taking out a double amputee war veteran in 2011. However, in 2015, as two people sat in the cage, squeezed the railing tightly, and prepared for take-off, one of the cables snapped. But that wasnt the main problem: the water was actually freezing cold spring water with live trout in it. The 19-year old employees death is detailed by the website rideaccidents.com. This didnt go unnoticed, and the state eventually investigated. Therefore, it's become known as one of the most dangerous amusement parks in the U.S. Sources: Fox News, The Independent, Amusement Safety.org, The Active Times, USA Today. I vividly remember the stories and news reports of this place and this is a look back at what can be considered the most dangerous amusement park ever. Crank Yankers executive producer Jonathan Kimmel had heard stories about Action Park for years before he finally got to experience it himself. Seth Porges, the co-director and producer of an upcoming documentary about Action Park called Class Action Park, also began questioning his memories, which were so unbelievable his friends thought he was making them up. For as long as they've been around, amusement parks have attracted billions of people since the first amusement park opened in 1846. The fear was justified.. When I recently saw an old ad on YouTube, it reminded me exactly how I felt the first moment I discovered the parks existence: I was desperate, begging my mom to let me go to Vernon, New Jersey, as soon as humanly possible. Not only was the Alpine Slide among the parks premier attractions, in July 1980, it was also the site of the first fatality on the premises when a 19-year-old employees sled jumped the track, and he suffered a fatal head injury after striking a rock. These abandoned amusement parks will give you the creeps. Webworld's most dangerous theme park accident @CrazyXYZ @MRINDIANHACKER #shorts #facts #viral Somehow, nobody's died on a SCAD Tower, but it just seems like a bad idea all around, one that should probably end before somebody does. Even experienced swimmers tired quickly in the rough waves, and lifeguards reported having to rescue dozens of visitors each weekend. This is the 80s, so they didnt have to disclose their injury reports, only the most serious. Apparently, some 2,400 injury claims had been filed against the parent company, Great American Recreation. There was also the Tarzan Swing. People who grew up going to and working at Action Park repeatedly compare it to a real-life 1980s movie., People were just running around drunk, getting sunburned and passing out from exhaustion and near-drowning experiences, Seccia adds. I, however, didnt need the excitement that comes from surviving a traumatic experience in my house that was a daily occurrence. Several different theories were offered up, with explosions, fires, crashes, or even a simple power outage all being blamed for the deaths. It's 2020 and people seem to have things dialed in and semi-secure, but not everything works out the way it's supposed to. It was purchased by a company that took out all those old features and renamed it, Mountain Creek. Additionally, there have been 110 reported injuries. If you want to visit an antique amusement park but stay safe, youll want to check out the oldest amusement parks in the world. Next:19 Amusement Park That Are Dangerous AF. Fights and violence were common, as the clientele were not exactly the elite of society. The Adventuredome amusement park in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a major tourist attraction in a city full of cool places to go. Other minor incidents have been reported to have taken place at this theme park, according to the IAAPA. We drank from rusty hoses and had to walk it off when we got hurt. By the parks closure in 1996, Action Park was responsible for a total of six deaths. Action Park, open for 18 years and closed for 24 (apart from a short-lived reboot), became an object of enduring So, unless you are very healthy and can handle crazy roller coasters, you may want to give this one a miss. They pushed the idea that Vernon was going to become the new Orlando. Located in Phoenix, this 10-acre park comes with four outdoor 18-hole miniature golf courses, several As her side hustle, she writes for The Travel and continues to feed into her own wanderlust, while helping others with theirs. Many of the riders had to fight to get their seatbelts undone while they were submerged underwater. As pointed out in the documentary, Mulvihill created his own phony insurance company called London and World Assurance, Ltd. There was a tube ride that was so overrun with people it became like Roller Derby. People living near the Disneyland park was not satisfied with. It got so bad that pictures of injuries were included at the top of the ride as a warning to see how dangerous this thing was. Anyone who had the guts to try it would get $100. The worker was seriously injured, as was the passenger. Back in 2014, Mount Olympus had permanently closed a ride after a major accident. All-in-all, six people died in seven years at the park. On opening day in 2015, as the Cyclone approached its highest point above the sharp 60-degree drop, a mechanical issue brought the ride to a halt. It seems like a fairly safe place, but after hearing abouta tree branch falling on the rails of a roller coaster ride and derailing the coaster's car, that's enough for anyone to want to stay away. It doesn't matter which one you go to, things can happen anywhere. I heard the rumors of someone dying in it.. how to safely take your kids to amusement parks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Multiple riders went to the ER to be treated. A time before insurance and lawyers, sure, but more importantly, a time when things were physical and tactile and personal and it felt like anything was possible and everything mattered. They were most likely taunting the person making the jump along with all the other spectators. He's written for The Things, The Talko, Baby Gaga, Moms, and Screen Rant. Seven children were among those injured in 2016 when five gondolas plunged 30 feet to the cement floor. At an amusement park down under, a faulty water pump lead to a water ride raft being stranded. They tell the story of how they tested the loop with crash test dummies. At the end of the journey, assuming everything ran smoothly, the rafts would slide onto a conveyor belt, climbing a short slope to the exit. We did everything we could to try to protect people, but there were a lot of people that were just not swimmers or not good swimmers that jumped in water when they shouldnt have.. It was sold in 1996 to Intrawest, with its new owners changing its name, scaling back more dangerous rides, and developing a ski park - an addition which Andy Mulvihill pointed out presented many of the same risks as the initial park. I believe he was re-arrested while in line for the Colorado River Ride. (Would watch this movie.). Action Park was a water park in Vernon, New Jersey that ran from 1978 to 1996. This two-passenger ride consisted of a small metal cage, long cables, and supporting metal poles. So, what makes it dangerous? Once the water pump malfunctioned, these four people were thrown from the raft instantly. #ActionPark, Why a Fake TV Simulator is the Perfect Addition to Your Home Security System, Princess Bride Trivia: 25 Inconceivable Facts About The Beloved Film, Richard Belzers Last Words Were, F*** you, Motherf*****!, 11 Things You Need To Consider Before Creating An Employee Wellness Program, Head Injury at The Alpine Slide July 8, 1980, George Larsson, Jr., a 19-year-old employee at the parks ski resort, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool July 24, 1982: 15-year-old boy, Electrocution at The Kayak Experience August 1, 1982, a 27-year-old man from Long Island, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool August 27, 1984: Donald DePass, 20-year-old from Brooklyn, Drowning at The Tidal Wave Pool July 19, 1987: Gregory Grandchamps, 18-year-old. Despite its low speed, Disney's Monorail has been responsible for more accidents and injuries than most roller coasters. It was now just a regularand very safewater park. Apparently they did a good job of advertising to families as a kid-friendly escape, Porges says. You may want to avoid this one unless you really like being a daredevil. Action Park comes out of the 1970s and has connections to an ex-Wall Street employee Gene Mulvihill. Heres another one: They took a giant ball with another ball inside. That was the case with Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey. While the ad screamed family-friendly virtues, I soon discovered it conveniently edited out the horror show that actually awaited you once you got to the park. While this dangerous roller coaster is still running, you may want to assess your climbing skills before you ride. Cannonball Loop: The Infamous Action Park Loop Slide In the Documentary, they tell of kids being rammed and launched straight out of the ride. People go on thrill rides for the same reason they watch horror movies: to get that rush of adrenaline that comes from being scared senseless, only in a safe environment. It now goes by the name Mountain Creek Waterpark. Visitors of the park would load into circular rafts, strap into their seats, and spin down a rapid-filled river. Luckily, the Catapult did not cause any fatal accidents during its existence. WebFind amusement parks with this list of parks in Arizona state. Anyone who thought up an idea had a genuine shot of seeing it created. Related:17 Weird Things About Coney Island We Didn't Know (8 We Didn't Want To). The Space Journey ride at Ecoventure Valley in Shenzen, China offers a simulation of what it's like to ride in a rocket ship blasting off for space. The ride has been permanently shut down since then but makes customers wonder what else isn't safe there. It also doesn't help that back in 2004, a little girl was thrown from a ride that still stays in commission to this day. He sustained a fatal head injury when his head struck a rock, the site says. Picture Lord of the Flies but with more sunscreen. It was also based out of the Cayman Islands, and nothing sketchy ever seems to be associated with the Caymans. A power outage in 2015 shut down all of the attractions at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, for a few hours, leaving a number of people stranded. There was Surf Hill, which was like a giant Slip n Slide, but that went down a cliff. During the first few years of operation, Action Park saw the most injuries come from the alpine slide where carts would regularly derail after brakes failed to malfunction or the driver (most often children) did not apply the brake in time. I vividly remember getting yelled at for throwing out four-day-old shriveled-up hot dogs that legit looked like Slim Jims, he says. The only problem? He had to be stretchered out. Action Park 80's Live Action and Cannonball loop. But they obviously needed it to stay open. One ride that McKeown remembers taking as a child ended with a sheer 20 foot drop into water. Stories of the infamous Cannonball Loop at Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey abound. Riders were upside down for more than 10 minutes and later complained about various injuries. The next thing I remember is coming on to the deck around the water with a lifeguard over me. Its not that we are any better for how we handled things, we just didnt know any other way. In the late 1970s, he began looking for a way to make money during the summer months. Though no one was hurt, this accident revealed the rides dangerous flaws and ultimately led to its demise. Or opt for something more contemporary with these amusement park rides opening this year. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Remembering the greatest decade, the 80s. Unlike the other rides on this list of dangerous roller coasters, Luna Who Designed These Dangerous Action Park Rides? This was a water slide with an actual giant loop in the middle like it was right out of a Hot Wheels race track set. 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Mulvihill, however, was determined to make it work. Undoubtedly, Americas most dangerous amusement park remains nostalgic for those who spent their summers there as a kid. At Action Park, that often wasnt the case. While there have been no major injuries reported at this park, it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong. You didnt have lifeguards helping you on the real Colorado River, so they decided you didnt need them here. It only took 12 months for the terrifying attraction to cause 14 bone fractures and 26 head injuries. When Action Park was first opened in 1978, over 100 swimmers had to be rescued from one of its wave pools. 5 of the Most Dangerous Amusement Park Rides Ever Opened 1 Son of Beast roller coaster. This ride, the crown jewel of the Kings Island amusement park in Ohio, is exactly what you might imagine when you hear the words terrifying 2 Verrckt waterslide. 3 The Catapult. 4 Cyclone. 5 Thunder River Rapids B. They've since reopened with an emphasis on not killing or maiming people. Action Park was started by Eugene Mulvihill, who ran a company called Great American Recreation. 2 Nitro, New Jersey This insane ride is found in Jersey's SIX FLAGS and has single-handedly made the adventure park a world attraction. CONFIRMED - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon To Reopen In March, Blizzard Beach To Remain Open! And it may be dangerous to speak up. Employees found out how to override the speed governor and the karts could now hit speeds of up to 60mph. By the 1990s, attendance dropped. 5 Dining Changes at Disney Parks ALL Guests Should Be Aware Of (February 2023), Action Park: America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park, Everything We Know About Mattel's New Theme Park (So Far!). ), But a lot of people, like Brent, a 45-year-old who also relocated to California as an adult, thinks the pain was worth it. By the time the mid-90s rolled around, there was a whole new world of legalities and regulations. Holding up to 1,000 people at a time and sporting meter-high waves, around 30 people needed to be rescued from it daily. Im 6-foot-5 and was built like a stick back then, he says. The area was getting popular as Hugh Hefner had opened a Playboy camp in the same area and there were hopes the area could be the next Vegasor at least Atlantic City. Members, Log One event, in particular, was seriously crazy. There were a couple dozen NFL players, hopped up on the thrill of winning the Super Bowl (and perhaps a few drinks). His first summer attraction took advantage of the ski lifts and was called the Alpine Slide, a 2,700-foot-long cement slide that guests would go down on a mini-sled with just a hand-operated brake helping them manage the speed. The park is responsible for sending 26 people to the hospital after the incredibly strong smell of chlorine caused throat and eye issues. But seeing that these attractions bring in a ludicrous amount of money a year, it's highly unlikely there will be changes. Someone apparently broke their neck. We recommend our users to update the browser. All of my older cousins seemed nervous going and thats never a good sign when youre 12, he tells me. The track was made of fiberglass and concrete with a nice mix of asbestos mixed in. Powered by BizBudding Inc. 25 Reasons Why Action Park Was The Worlds Most Dangerous Amusement Park. They would load several people into a tube and just let er rip down a course that wasnt designed properly. With all these issues, youd think there would be lifeguards all over the place for the Colorado River Ride? Six people would still be alive today if Action Park had a stronger focus on safety. The twist, though, is that it seems to pose no danger to the people on the ride, but rather to hapless people on the ground. 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