A call to the Arlington PD confirms there has been a death at Six Flags. Patron believed to have fallen from Texas Giant via @ArlingtonVoice

Via Theme Park Review

Just confirmed myself, via scanner. Chaplains with family at park now.

Something you never want to hear happening.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151467331312093&set=a.388525827092.174221.172530812092&type=1&theater

Facebook post from Fox News 4 in Texas.

Oh No...this is bad on so many levels if this is accurate information. My thoughts for the family, if he/she had one (which I am 99% sure they did)...wonder what could have caused this? Did the rider disregard the ride safety rules (may be likely), or is there a possible design flaw in New Texas Giant...?

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20130719-breaking-news-arlington-police-fire-at-six-flags-for-fatal-incident-involving-texas-giant-roller-coaster.ece

The nights not turning out great for the industry..

Cedar Point, now SFOT

What the heck. I'm gone 4 hours from the Coaster World and this happens.... So sad.

UPDATE; PARK STATEMENT:

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20130719-breaking-news-woman-killed-while-riding-texas-giant-roller-coaster-six-flags-confirms.ece

Good heavens. How does this happen? My heart goes out to the family.

So...the restraints just came undone? How?

No one knows yet. The ride is closed, pending an investigation.

That cant be good for The Texas Giant treatment rep. i feel bad for everyone involved.

Not being cruel in anyway, but haven't there been multiple deaths at this park? Or am I thinking of Gerogia?

Wow it's a terrible day for the industry.

Not being cruel in anyway, but haven't there been multiple deaths at this park? Or am I thinking of Gerogia?

There have been deaths at other SF parks. I dont know about this one though.

EDIT: I found this link. http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/Six_Flags_Accidents

Edited July 20, 201313 yr by KI FANATIC 37

Not being cruel in anyway, but haven't there been multiple deaths at this park? Or am I thinking of Gerogia?

There have been multiple deaths at many parks, including Kings Island.

One is too many.

Safety is first priority at EVERY park.

Period.

What do the restraints look like? Is there a seatbelt as back up of just a lap bar? I have never been on this ride before.

This event will always go through my mind while cresting the 2nd hill on Diamondback.

Not trying to poke fun at this situation.

This event will always go through my mind while cresting the 2nd hill on Diamondback.

Not trying to poke fun at this situation.

I always think of this on DB. I wish they had some sort of seat belt as backup for it. Because it can be tight enough for safety but loose enough to not interfere with the massive airtime you get. It at least gives you a chance to stay on if there is a malfunction. Without a seat belt you have no chance to stay on DB with a failure.

I didn't see the part about the clicks. So I guess this riders' restraint didn't click twice like everyone else?

And the ride operator essentially refused to get another click or two.

Diamondback has both a primary and a secondary restraint system. In addition, the seats are tilted back (as on every sit-down B&M since Kumba). A rider would remain on the ride with no restraint system, unless they tried to get out.

To be clear for everyone else, the story linked above was updated with a witness statement.

Another link for convenience: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20130719-breaking-news-woman-killed-while-riding-texas-giant-roller-coaster-six-flags-confirms.ece

For anyone who is interested, here is a picture of the New Texas Giant's trains and restraint systems (if this picture is inaccurate, let me know BTW):

No seat belts or anything of the sort...I know they are a bit of a drag and slow down loading times, but seat belts on coasters are usually a good idea since they offer a nice backup should the main restraint system fail...

Better safe than sorry! Wait times can wait if it prevents things like this from happening.

Sounds like the guest was of unusal body proportions to just get one click. I think that is what the signs say at the parks. Prayers go out to the family and all involved.

And people complain about ride ops enforcing Kings Island's two click policy. This is one of many reasons so-called "power hours" have always frightened me. A capacity contest is not worth a life. Ever.

Diamondback has both a primary and a secondary restraint system. In addition, the seats are tilted back (as on every sit-down B&M since Kumba). A rider would remain on the ride with no restraint system, unless they tried to get out.

I believe you but it is hard to believe if I was sitting in the front row cresting the first hill or any other that I wouldn't fall out. How do you know this?

From the manufacturer's own representations of their testing, as relayed at IAAPA.

I still don't get it. What, exactly, are the physics that would prevent me from flying out on Diamondback if the restraint were to fail?