In a statement announcing the closure, the park noted it legacy of ride innovation continues". ", More: Multiple people injured on New Jersey Six Flags roller coaster with derailment history, officials say. "We arent kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Write this down, he said during a recent phone interview. [12] In March, Cedar Fair registered a trademark for the name "Top Thrill Dragster". Because the incident is still under investigation, the ride remains closed and there is no additional information to share at this time.. Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com. It doesn't appear that there are plans for an extended layout which was originally speculated. None of the injuries were life threatening. The park has already announced it will not reopen this year. Female waiting in line injured after metal object falls from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point August 16, 2021, 3:49 AM A female guest was transported to a nearby hospital Sunday. Screamscape has now reported a rumor that Cedar Point is getting ready to start work on the site of the coaster. Speigel, however, said the permanent closure of Top Thrill Dragster was extremely unlikely. The bracket, which was attached by bolts, is supposed to hover just over the trackand a series of sensors that keeps tabs on the coaster as it makes its way at breakneck speed up and over a 420-foot-tall hill in 17 seconds. Target of 130-135mph could maybe be feasible. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Close. There was a ton of people around her so I dont know if someone picked something up.. And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster. Adding a Multi-launch system which could then include a roll-back. Facebook. The visitant was clinging tight in line for the Top Thrill Dragster thrilling ride around 4:30 in the early evening when she was harmed, a Cedar Point representative affirmed. Cedar Fair Means Business With Announced $200 Million Annual Capital Spend, Track Completed For New Wild Mouse Roller Coaster Coming To Cedar Point 2023, Brand New Intamin Vertical Launch Coaster Could Revolutionize Guest Experience. Cedar Point's legacy of roller coaster innovation continues with a one-of-a-kind addition to the park's world-renowned ride lineup, coming in 2024. [31] Prior to the end of Cedar Point's operating season, parts of the roller coaster's track near the station were dismantled. The 45-year-old, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, was left with serious brain injuriesafter being hit while waiting to board the ride. But the ride has remained closed since the August 15, 2021 accident. piece of metal that struck a Cedar Point guest, Theodore Decker: Cedar Point betrays its customers through silence after amusement park injury, Body cam footage shows Cedar Point guest screaming in agony, Cedar Points top roller coasters, attractions over the years, Five days later: Cedar Point offers no updates on injured woman, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. When theres an accident on a ride, you dont tear it down, he said. Leppo said there was confusion at first in his part of the line about what was happening. On Wednesday afternoon, he said the incident is still under investigation. 4 Potential Options For The Disney's Hollywood Studios Attraction, TOP THRILL DRAGSTER: The High Octane Life of Cedar Point's Coaster Wars Icon And Its Race to Relaunch. Hawes was seriously injured by a piece of metal that fell from the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park. He identified himself as an off-duty sheriffs deputy. Last August, a 44-year-old Michigan woman was badly hurt when a metal bracket fell off the Top Thrill Dragster rollercoaster and hit her in the back of her head. In its announcement online Tuesday, Cedar Point says the ride "as you know it is being retired. [16], In the last operational year of the Top Thrill Dragster in 2021, the roller coaster had the second tallest height, the third fastest speed, and the second-highest drop among steel roller coasters in the world. An investigation continues into what caused a piece to come loose from the Top Thrill Dragster and hit a woman standing in line to ride the roller coaster Sunday at Cedar Point. [45] Despite this, the ride never reopened, and its retirement was announced on September 6, 2022.[46][27][47][48]. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened in 2003 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, as well as the first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet (120m) in height. Ryan Leppo was also standing in line for the roller coaster when he saw the object fly through the air from the ride. It honestly looked like a giant Jenga block, Leppo said. - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThemeParkPredictionsElToroRyan - https://www.youtube.com/c/ElToroRyanCoaster Thrills - https://www.youtube.com/c/CoasterThrillsFrank H. - New Entertainment Pictures - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxYSNV4S6W1loUHaL00Biw East Coasters - https://www.youtube.com/c/EastCoasters The roller coaster is the second Accelerator Coaster model built by Intamin and one of two strata coasters in existence. Before the mishap, some 18 million guests rode the ride that sent peoplesome 420 feet in the air at a speed of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds. Martin said hes hoping for transparency from the investigation, from both the park and the state, in an effort to instill public confidence in the process. Miran said the steel track itself shows signs of damage where the bracket made contact as the coaster train made its way down the hill. The woman named Rachel Hawes was 44 years old and was waiting in the queue of the Trump deal . It would be because of a passel of things., In 2009, for example, Kings Island closed and ultimately tore down Son of Beast, a massive wooden roller coaster, only after a series of injuries and problems and attempts to fix them. I think its a shock that something would happen like that. take a deeper dive into this in the video below. It has a 90-degree incline and further a 270-degree twist. IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, tracks injuries on rides in the United States and Canada. I walked the whole thing. Intamin, however, could still be the ones to convert Top Thrill Dragster but they have now removed the ride from their website which could give clue that they are distancing themselves from the attraction. Top Thrill is well known among coaster fans for being temperamental and maintenance-heavy, with long periods out of commission. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows (except for the first car), for a total of 18 riders per train. Meanwhile, its unclear when or even if Top Thrill Dragster will operate again. There was something like this big that came off, he said while holding his hands in a round shape that was about the size of a football. Claim your SPECIAL OFFER for MagellanTV here: https://try.magellantv.com/darkhistory. Theyll look at the why and what and how and all of that. I mean I seen, like, a picture of what that metal was and that was a pretty thick piece of metal to just snap off like that., They sent us a statement that reads in part, Cedar Point has cooperated fully with ODA throughout its investigation into the incident and we will closely review the substance of ODAs report.. October 18 - We are closely following the progress of the eagerly awaited Top Thrill Dragster reimagining which was first announced back in September. Found the internet! But the ride was plagued by frequent breakdowns and long lines over the years. Top Thrill Dragster is a steel launched strata roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, USA. SANDUSKY, Ohio (WTVG) - Sandusky Police bodycam video from Cedar Point shows some of the chaotic moments after a woman was hit by a metal object that flew off the roller coaster she was in line to ride. [42] Its marketing tagline was "Race for the Sky". Please help me, she screamed as she was wheeled out of the ride area. * Who is the victim and what is her condition? We all saw it fly off: Video shows chaotic moments after woman hurt at Cedar Point. [15][34] Each dragster-themed train was also decorated with a spoiler, a set of tires, and an engine at the rear of each train, but these were removed after the fifth car was added to allow an extra row of seats to take their place. Opened in 2003, the Top Thrill Dragster is a strata roller coaster that reaches a top speed of 120 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds, according to the Cedar Point website. The park has already announced it will not reopen this year. 2's right rear lap-bar cylinder soft repair and a lap bar cylinder creep test. The report said she had an "unknown type of head injury.". The ride goesfrom standstill to 120 mph in just3.8 seconds. [8] Originally, the design called for five cars on each train, but when the ride first opened, there were only four. A hole in the ground where the Top Thrill Dragster queue used to stand. [28][29] Officials did not provide further details other than stating they were working on a "new and reimagined ride experience". All rights reserved (About Us). The 420-foot (128-meter) tall Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster will remain closed as officials from the park in Sandusky, ride experts and state authorities investigate, Cedar Point said in. 2023 www.beaconjournal.com. The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot (128-meter) tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at the park in Sandusky. Her identity and condition remain unknown. The ride is 17 seconds long. [43], In September 2017, a report with photos surfaced that the braking system on the launch side of the track may have been damaged, causing the ride to close indefinitely. The large investment tied it with Millennium Force as being the most expensive in park history. David Miran, the Ohio Department of Agriculture's chief ofamusementrides, announced Monday thepiece that became dislodged is an "L-shaped" bracket attached to the back of the train car designed to look like dragster. State investigations say the piece of metal that struck a Cedar Point guest waiting in line for the park's Top Thrill Dragster was about the size of "a man's hand.". Cedar Point Rollercoaster Accident | Top Thrill Dragster Deaths on Rollercoasters Cedar Point Roller Coaster Accident Kills One October 1, 2021 kaplanlaw Premises Accidents In 2015, a Cedar Point roller coaster accident killed a man. User account menu. To the left of the launch area was a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. All rights reserved. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Its the first time something has happened and a person was struck., Martin recently worked with a woman who was injured at an amusement park in California while waiting in line. It said more details about its plans would be disclosed in the future. Among them: * What caused the coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, to malfunction? Upon descending, the track twisted 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes. A hydraulic launch system speeds riders from zero to 120 mph. Log In Sign Up. [2] The ride opened on May 4, 2003 as the first complete circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet in height. 3. And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster. [5] In August, an informal announcement from Cedar Point confirmed the park was building a new ride for the 2003 season. We are very excited to see what Cedar Point has in store for the legendary Top Thrill Dragster in this extensive reimagining. The Ohio Department of Agriculture released a 620-page report on Friday, explaining their investigation into Cedar Points popular rollercoaster, the Top Thrill Dragster. [33], On July 14, 2004, four people were struck by flying debris while riding the coaster. WhatsApp. Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2002, but it was dismissed in 2006. . I mean I think they should be kind enough and generous enough to help the family out., I feel like it probably should be a little stricter then because something like that shouldnt happen, said Sandusky resident Misty Townsend. AKRON, Ohio The piece of metal that struck a Cedar Point amusement park guest waiting in line for the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster was about the size of "a man's hand," according to state investigations. He stood atop the structure for an hour before safely . The bracket which was attached by bolts is supposed to hover just over the trackand a series of sensors that keeps tabs on the coaster as it makes its way at breakneck speed up and over a 420-foot-tall hill in 17 seconds. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. The statement said that a small metal object fell off a Top Thrill Dragster train as it was ending its run and hit a female guest who was standing in the ride queue. The inspection did, however, find some issues that needed to be upgraded to bring the ride into compliance. Sucks that Dragster will be closed longer. All rights reserved. A description of the ride reads: "Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline. Top Thrill Dragster To Be Reimagined, Rumors Fly Of What This Could Look Like! The injuries were mainly arm abrasions, with one passenger experiencing cuts to the face. January 10 - Since September 2022 when it was confirmed that this legendary coaster would indeed be reimagined, all eyes have been on Cedar Point and the construction progress of the iconic Top Thrill Dragster. With 87% of people who voted in our recent poll saying they want to see Top Thrill Dragster reopening we are guessing many of our readers will be following the progress of this closely. Rachel is fighting for her life, and we would ask for privacy in this difficult time.". September 26 - We heard at the beginning of September that the legendary Top Thrill Dragster "as we know it" at Cedar Point is to be retired and reimagined. The piece of metal was about the size of an adult male's hand. Top Thrill Dragster . It was just scary, Leppo said. Cedar Point officials have declined to answer questions about the accident in the days since it occurred. The video shows the removal of parts of the track around the loading station. And in 2016, two guests were injured when a launch cable detached from the coaster. The entire ride lasts 17 seconds. To read the full story about Top Thrill Dragster from start to finish, check out our recently updated featured article,TOP THRILL DRAGSTER: The High Octane Story of Cedar Point's Coaster Wars Icon And Its Post-Pitstop Second Life. Press J to jump to the feed. (Editor's note: A version of this story briefly stated the incorrect size of the object in this incident.) Top Thrill Dragster reaches a height of 420 feet (130m), a maximum speed of 120mph (190km/h), and features a total track length of 2,800 feet (850m). Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio announced on Tuesday it would be permanently closing the Top Thrill Dragster. On July 17, 2021, a man climbed to the top of the Supreme Scream tower, prompting the temporary closure of most of the park's attractions and surrounding streets. "Due to the changes in ride inspections. It was his first time visiting the park. What Other Night-Time Events Could Avengers: Power the Night Inspire at Disneyland Paris? State inspectors were at Cedar Point immediately following the accident. A forty-four-year-old woman in Michigan suffered a brain injury after being struck in the head by an "L-shaped" bracket that detached from the 420-foot ride, the second-tallest roller coaster in the world. We will keep you updated on the progress with Top Thrill Dragster on our news and Facebook page. No one knows, he responded. The ride is inspected regularly -- by Cedar Point staff, the parks insurance company and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees ride safety in the state. Miran said prior to Monday afternoon's press briefing he contacted the woman's family to update them on the status of the investigation into what went wrong with the coaster. We dont know what it was. When it opened in 2003, Top Thrill Dragsterwas the tallest and fastest coaster in the world, but those records were surpassed in 2005 by the Kingda Ka coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. She was rushed to a hospital in Toledo for treatment. Cedar Point officials have only described what hit the woman as a small metal object that became disengaged as the ride was ending a run. Rachel is fighting for her life, and we would ask for privacy in this difficult time.". Increasing the height by either taking the top section off and re-engineering it or lowering the bottom ends of the track at the base of the tower into a below-grade trench. September 30 -For anyone who is interested in the current progress of the reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, you may be interested to see this video which has been posted to YouTube by Amusement Park Portal showing a view over the top of the construction fencing. THE world's second tallest rollercoaster has been closed forever after a woman waiting in line was hit on the head by a metal bracket. Our focus continues to be on the guest and her family, Clark said. Those changesincluded hydraulic upgrades, a hydraulic propulsion system upgrade and repairs to black cherry car No. [6] Vertical construction by Martin & Vleminckx[7] began in the fall season, months before the formal announcement. August 17, 2021. They were here within seconds, he said. The state on Monday released the one-page initialincident report, which identified the victim as Hawes ofSwartz Creek, Michigan, near Flint. We arent kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.. Top Thrill Dragster reaches a height of 420 feet (130 . However, although work appears to be progressing well we now know for certain that Top Thrill Dragster will remain closed for the . Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster Media Story", "Cedar Point To Build Major New Thrill Ride For 2003 Season", "Top Thrill Dragster: Race for the Sky | Cedar Point", "Cedar Point makes good on its bet with 'Top Thrill Cubster' in honor of Chicago Cubs' World Series win over Indians (Video)", "Cedar Point opening day preview: Face masks, social distancing, HalloWeekends and more", "Cedar Point says Top Thrill Dragster, involved in serious accident, will remain closed for 2021", "ODA provides update on Top Thrill Dragster incident", "No laws broken in Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster mishap that severely injured woman", "Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster, involved in August accident, will remain closed in 2022", "One of Cedar Point's most popular rides will be shut down for the 2022 season", "Cedar Point to retire Top Thrill Dragster", "Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point being retired, officials say", "Cedar Point permanently closing Top Thrill Dragster, world's second-tallest roller coaster", "Cedar Point's newest coaster starting to take shape along the Lake Erie shoreline", "Record Holders (Statistic: Height, Type: Steel)", "Record Holders (Statistic: Speed, Type: Steel)", "Record Holders (Statistic: Drop, Type: Steel)", "Hydraulic launched roller coasters at RCDB", "Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster still closed, undergoing maintenance", "Top Thrill Dragster closed for 2022 season", "Cedar Point is shutting down Top Thrill Dragster for good", "Top Thrill Dragster to be retired from Cedar Point", Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Top_Thrill_Dragster&oldid=1142142857, Articles with dead YouTube links from February 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing potentially dated statements from January 2023, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. About 6% of the injuries were reported to be serious, resulting in a fatality or an immediate admission and hospitalization in excess of 24 hours. [44], On August 15, 2021, in what was described as a "serious accident",[22] a guest waiting in line was struck by a small metal piece that dislodged from a train as it was nearing the end of its run. Reports indicated that a metal cable frayed during launch, shearing off shards of metal that struck the riders. This is my version of Top Thrill Dragster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio. The Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point remains closed while the investigation continues. Top Thrill Dragster is one of the park's most popular, but also most temperamental roller coasters. You know its a shame, but you know wild things happen, said William Yohe. In February, state investigators determined the amusement park in Sandusky was not responsible for what was determined to be an accident. The Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point. THE world's second tallest rollercoaster has been closed forever after a woman waiting in line was hit on the head by a metal bracket. After all that, they say they found no evidence to indicate that Cedar Point knew the Top Thrill Dragster ride was unsafe or could cause a hazard to the public. Updates About Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragsterhas recently posted a tweet showing that the station has been pretty much completely emptied. [18] Shortly after it opened, a faulty valve on the hydraulic system caused a short-term closure. (Editor's note: A version of this story briefly stated the incorrect size of the object in this incident. [26][27], On September 6, 2022, Cedar Point officials released an update on social media stating, "Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired." Cedar Point screenshot A roller coaster. When Top Thrill Dragster debuted, it set four new records: It became the fastest roller coaster in the world with a maximum speed of 120mph (190km/h). State inspectors were at the park investigating the Top Thrill Dragster on Monday, which was inspected in May and was set to be checked again in September. Rachel Hawes Incident. The post goes on to say that track is also being removed from the load/unload station which does suggest that major work is being done which could mean the Top Thrill Dragster is getting a "switch-track and dedicated multi-launch track segment,". Copyright 2021 WTVG. I have no idea. The deputy said he ran toward the commotion to see how he could help. The Post has sought comment from her family. David Miran, ODA chief of amusement rides, said Top Thrill Dragster's green train, as seen in this file photo, lost an "L-shaped" bracket on the back of the train car during an Aug. 15, 2021, ride. The amusement park teased that Top Thrill Dragster will return with "a new formula" in 2024. At around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a female guest was waiting in line to ride the Top Thrill Dragster when a small metal object became dislodged from a train at the top of the 420-foot-tall ride, park . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. My creation stands one meter tall (126 studs), and a has a two meter (288 stud) run out. [8] By October, the roller coaster had reached 200 feet (61m) in height,[9] and the highest peak was topped off in December. [6] Track pieces identified as Intamin were previously spotted near Mean Streak. Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point) Following the death of 14-year-old, Tyre Sampson who tragically fell from the attraction, Orlando Free . [33][15], The roller coaster was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, a category of motor racing that involved the world's fastest accelerating cars. William Yohe, a resident in Sandusky said; But the 420-foot-tall (128 meters) Cedar Point ride hasnt moved since a devastating accident left a woman with severe brain injuries.So in this video, I am analyzing the incidents that ended the Top Thrill Dragster.Subscribe for more fascinating disaster documentaries: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClb6yg8d7eoZF6vnL4e8mog?sub_confirmation=1Tragic history playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWtCh3_Fxp9FtVfTqXA06J3jhoxIFjpaFSuggest a topic for my next video: https://bit.ly/DarkHistoryTopicsWe reveal the world's darkest and greatest disasters all based on true stories.This disaster documentary is inspired by the fantastic \"Fascinating Horror\".Footage from:Theme Park Predictions \u0026 More! They added: "Our team is hard at work, creating a new and reimagined ride experience.. And did that process fail? Well this led to theme park fans speculating as to what Cedar Point has got planned. [19] The ride continued to experience a variety of issues dealing with its hydraulic system and launch cable, which frequently led to downtime early on in its tenure. * What is the inspection process for Top Thrill Dragster? About the Cedar Point Dragster Accident: [25] However, Cedar Point was required to perform a list of repairs, including repairing damaged track sections and replacing "different or improper grade" bolts before ODA could certify the attraction to reopen. But the companys failure to communicate is causing widespread speculation on social media.
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