A metal object fell from a train on Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster late Sunday, injuring a guest.The Plain Dealer. What Other Night-Time Events Could Avengers: Power the Night Inspire at Disneyland Paris? Because the incident is still under investigation, the ride remains closed and there is no additional information to share at this time.. Park staff appear in the video to administer first aid as Sandusky police officers and firefighters arrive with a gurney to transport her to the hospital. Top Thrill Dragster also broke the height record, standing at 420 feet (130m), which was previously held by Superman: Escape from Krypton at 415 feet (126m). Close. The entire ride lasts 17 seconds. But the ride has remained closed since the August 15, 2021 accident. "We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Posted by 8 days ago. Cedar Point announces that Top Thrill Dragster will remain closed for Check out the rumors that are currently swirling below of what we may see in the reimagining and we will keep you posted with further updates when they are revealed on our news and Facebook page. SANDUSKY A female standing in line to ride Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster was taken to a hospital after she was struck by a small metal . We arent kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.. 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. After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the worlds first strata coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired, Cedar Point spokesperson Tony Clark tweeted on Tuesday. [20] In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, timed boarding passes called "Access Passes" were used temporarily to comply with social distancing guidelines. The ride is 17 seconds long. The last time 19 News spoke with Rachel Hawes family, they told us she had a serious brain injury. Just like the waterslide in Kansas.. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The deputy said he ran toward the commotion to see how he could help. Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster is being retired - Axios Columbus Columbus Sep 7, 2022 - News So long, Top Thrill Tyler Buchanan Tyler snapped this picture of Top Thrill Dragster's hill while standing in line two weeks before it closed in August 2021. A new law, passed in 2019, requires the state to inspect roller coasters twice per year, up from once. 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. Top Thrill Dragster reaches a height of 420 feet (130 . [2], After leaving the station, the train entered the launch area. 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. And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster. 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. 'We all saw it fly off': Video shows chaotic moments after - 13abc 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. The park has already announced it will not reopen this year. [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. 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. 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. - 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 A hole in the ground where the Top Thrill Dragster queue used to stand. ", More: Multiple people injured on New Jersey Six Flags roller coaster with derailment history, officials say. [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. "We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. 2's right rear lap-bar cylinder soft repair and a lap bar cylinder creep test. 2's right rear lap-bar cylinder soft repair and a lap bar cylinder creep test. Ryan Leppo was also standing in line for the roller coaster when he saw the object fly through the air from the ride. Hawes was waiting in line to board the roller coaster. Theyll look at the why and what and how and all of that. [32] On January 9, 2023, Cedar Point announced on social media that the ride would reopen in 2024 under the tagline "A New Formula For Thrills", although the park did not release any other information at that time. Screamscape has posted photos on Facebook . We posted an article, Top Thrill Dragster To Be Reimagined, Rumors Fly Of What This Could Look Like!,which outlined a number of potential ideas which included: Screamscape has posted on their Facebook page a number of photos which were sent in from a reader who had captured photos of parts of the track being removed. He added, I can guarantee you this was not the first time something like this has happened. Both Cedar Point EMS and Sandusky EMS responded to the incident. Its going to take them a while to do the forensics, said Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services. Cedar Point is charged with making daily inspections of its rides. 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. Tony Clark, the director of communications at Cedar Point, tweeted: "After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the worlds first strata coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired.". Part detaches from Cedar Point roller coaster and hits woman The 45-year-old, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, was left with serious brain injuriesafter being hit while waiting to board the ride. AKRON, Ohio It was once the tallest roller coaster in the world. Miran said the green train's car and other pieces of evidence have been sent to a lab for further investigation. "This is a very complicated ride," he said. I think its a shock that something would happen like that. Opinion:Theodore Decker: Cedar Point betrays its customers through silence after amusement park injury, Top Thrill Dragster:Body cam footage shows Cedar Point guest screaming in agony. [15] It became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, overtaking the height record from Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land, built three years earlier, and the speed record from Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland, which opened in late 2001. Would You Want QUEEN To Replace Aerosmith On Rock 'n' Rollercoaster At Disney's Hollywood Studios? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page. It said more details about its plans would be disclosed in the future. Top Thrill is well known among coaster fans for being temperamental and maintenance-heavy, with long periods out of commission. If Steel Dragon 2000 can reopen after shearing an axle causing a serious back injury and hit someone with a wheel then Dragster can reopen. Theme Park Tourist is one of thewebs leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond. Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster DeathSerious injuries and deaths are That's the promise that the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster has delivered on since its first iconic ride in 2003. According to Rob Decker, Vice President of Planning and Design, the park began working on a new project shortly after the debut of Millennium Force in 2000. IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, tracks injuries on rides in the United States and Canada. And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster. The piece of metal was about the size of an adult male's hand. Four guests riding the coaster were hurt in 2004 when they were struck by metal shards from a metal cable during the launch. The Top Thrill Dragster coaster at Cedar Point remains closed while the investigation continues. 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. If all their paperwork was in order and it was a freak accident, I dont think anything should happen to them, said Yohe. The launch track was equipped with retractable magnetic braking fins, which were raised after each launch to slow the train down in case it did not reach the top of the tower. We all know that the launch will be the biggest change and it is clear from the photos that all track linked to the launch and brake system has been removed in preparation for new LSM launch track. We will keep you updated on the progress with Top Thrill Dragster on our news and Facebook page. None of the injuries were life threatening. A brief message was played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." * Who is the victim and what is her condition? Cedar Point shuts down Top Thrill Dragster, 2nd-tallest coaster 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. 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. 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. Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster closes for remainder of - WDIV You know its a shame, but you know wild things happen, said William Yohe. Woman Suffers Severe Head Injury at Ohio Amusement Park When this happened, a mechanic took the elevator to the top and pushed the train down the hill.[37]. You fix it. Found the internet! 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. 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. [23] Cedar Point announced that the coaster would be closed for the remainder of the season. Rachel is fighting for her life, and we would ask for privacy in this difficult time.". Rides & Experiences. Top Thrill Dragster To Be Reimagined, Rumors Fly Of What This Could And did that process fail? Woman hit by metal object from roller coaster at Cedar Point - 13abc [22] The piece was later determined to be a flag plate an L-shaped bracket that signals the train's location to sensors positioned along the track. Thebrake bracket area of the track, which slows the cars at the end of the ride, showed signs of impact and were bent along withseveral horizontal track beams within about 25 feet of the damaged brake bracket. 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. Eyewitness describes Cedar Point roller coaster accident - pennlive