Water Ride Accident At Cedar Point Park: Seven Injured

A water ride at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio injured seven people on Friday when it malfunctioned and rolled backward down a hill.

The popular “Shoot the rapids” ride, a favorite among park goers, apparently capsized when the log flume tumbled to the bottom of the first hill, trapping the seven people on it underwater.

It is reported that as soon as the flume fell, operators shut the ride off. Park police officers, ride operators and even visitors then waded into the water to attempt to rescue the trapped passengers.

Officials would not comment as to the reasons why the ride malfunctioned. An eyewitness at the scene of the water ride accident at Cedar Point, Matthew Orr, told the Sandusky Register newspaper:

“We jumped in and helped them get out. If we didn’t help, I don’t even know what would have happened.” he added: “It took nine or 10 people to pull the car up. We had the car sitting sideways.”

Six of the seven people trapped in the flume were treated at the park, one was taken to a local hospital for further checks.

The Cedar Point amusement park, which is owned by the Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. said it has been voted the best amusement park in the world for the last 15 years consecutively.

The “Shoot the rapids” ride, which opened in 2010, will remain closed until officials and state inspectors have ascertained the circumstances which led to the water ride accident on Friday.

The company that owns the park said in an email statement: “The safety of our guests is our number one priority.”

It remains to be seen what actually led to this potentially fatal water ride accident at the Cedar Point Park. Officials said they will reveal their findings in the coming days.