Roller Coaster Accident Statistics In 2014 Worse Than Risk Of Death By Shark Attack
The roller coaster accident statistics in 2014 may make you question the the thrill ride since the odds are more likely you could get hurt by a “fun” theme park than a shark attack.
In a related report by The Inquisitr, Orlando’s international drive plans on building the world’s tallest roller coaster, but the benchmark to beat was also recently set by the Goliath at Six Flags. Of course, it’s hard to beat the childhood delight generated by a father who built a backyard roller coaster for his son, although Harry Potter fans will recall some fond memories when they show up for the new roller coaster at Diagon Alley.
Just this past year there has been a flurry of roller coast accidents all over the United States. A recent roller coaster accident at Six Flags in California is described as a nightmare because it involved a car derailing from the track and being flung into trees. A Florida roller coaster accident on the Rip Ride Rockit caused people to be stranded for hours while it was stuck in a horrible position. Even a water ride at Cedar Point managed to break down in the most horrible fashion. But the Texas Giant roller coaster accident was the most infamous incident in recent times because a woman was killed and theme park kept the ride running despite the lawsuit working its way through the courts.
According to our previous report, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio say that “more than 92,000 children were injured on roller coasters and in amusement park-related incidents between 1990 and 2010 – an average of almost 4,000 injuries per year.” In addition, a theme park survey from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (or IAAPA) shows that 1,204 people were injured on rides at nearly 400 U.S. amusement parks in 2011. To put those numbers in perspective, less than half of the theme parks responded and critics claim they provided incomplete data.
The number of roller coaster deaths are also relatively high. Overall, there were 52 deaths related to amusement park rides in general between 1990 and 2004 based upon a 2005 report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This means there was an average of 0.27 deaths per year. Unfortunately, the CPSC no longer tracks the number of theme park deaths, so there is not any current data.
As a comparison, the International Shark Attack File claims there were 47 shark attacks in 2013, with two shark attack deaths counted. Florida shark attacks accounted for 23 out of 47, with Hawaii being the second most dangerous state based upon 13 shark attacks. While that’s only one year as a comparison, the average number of shark attack deaths was 0.04 for that year, and the risk of shark attacks is supposed to be increasing according to the experts.
Are you surprised the risk of a death by a roller coaster accident may be higher than a shark attack death? (Then again, if you’re a pro soccer player then being bitten by Luis Suarez has a greater chance of happening.)
