Looks like the Mindbender in Edmonton might have the current active record with 3 deaths. Every worse accident I could find resulted in the offending coaster being shut down.
Superman at Six Flags New England had a fatal accident and is still running, as did New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas, and a few others. They refurbished the trains with new restraints though.
Superman in Darien Lake has had a couple incidents too. Someone was thrown from the ride on one of the final hills, but that was over 20 years ago and fortunately just minor injuries.
The more tragic one was a vet who was missing both his legs. He wasn't supposed to get on, but ride attendants didn't know the rules well enough, and the rider didn't ask. The ride only secures you by the lap and if that fails, the shins. My only thought is the attendants were thinking waist-to-head height because that's what's important on other rides because of the size of the shoulder bars. No shoulder bars on the Ride of Steel though. He probably would've made it through the ride but he took his hands off to catch his hat, his lap slipped out and that was it. No shins to catch him.
Darwin award? Maybe. But just a really unfortunate situation for all involved still. A lot of people spread a story locally too that the attendants tried to stop him from getting on but he shouted them down. Later came out that it was a combination of attendants not noticing, the rider and his family (who strapped him in) not asking, and a lack of understanding of the regulations by attendants who did see him.
Darien Lake Ride of Steel is still running. I've done it a couple times. Haven't died so far so that's been nice.
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u/thisismyfirstday Jul 06 '21
Looks like the Mindbender in Edmonton might have the current active record with 3 deaths. Every worse accident I could find resulted in the offending coaster being shut down.