Six Flags Over Texas (SFOT) Discussion Thread

[TyRush]

Does NTAG have 1 or 2 locking systems per seat? Skyrush has 2 hydraulic locking things per each seat. I assume one is back up for the other. And it has a seatbelt as well, which i have seen twice a larger guest couldnt buckle the belt to the bar and they made them exit.

 

ASTM standards dictate there has to be some sort of redundant mechanism, so there had to have been something.

 

It uses two independent hydraulic cylinders.

Yes thats it, the cylinders! So it will be interesting to see the investigation results cause for some odd reason its not adding up to me, but then again im not an investigator.

[TopThrill182]

Is anyone at the park today? Any activity over at the ride?

[Randomman295]

This is a little eerie considering I was on Iron Rattler last week.

I really feel sorry for her, but I also feel sorry for the ride operator who's probably getting a LOT of crap for this.

 

Also, I really wish that news sources would do a better job of informing the GP that this ride DID go through a lot of testing before opening.

And speaking of news sources, the comments section of the CBS article is sad in the other sort. Every single one seems to see it as manufacturer error.

[Generational]

Whoever's fault it is (if anyone's for that matter), there will be a gross overreaction by people pressuring the park(s) for stricter regulations on restraints, in an attempt to "right the wrong." I have a feeling a lot of modern woodies such as El Toro, Outlaw Run, and Iron Rattler are going to be scrutinized to no end.

[BigBomer]

Is anyone at the park today? Any activity over at the ride?

 

I am. They have blocked off the ride and have blocked the view of the station with a tarp. There are security gaurds in the station. They have also closed the train and the oil derrick.

[Randomman295]

If I'm not false to assume that iRat has the same lap bar system as nTag, then why are we arguing about all of this when we haven't even truly found out if it's a system malfunction or a human error? Everyone is making huge assumptions on here and it's not helping this conversation in the least bit.

 

Let's just wait until we have a full autopsy and a systems report, and maybe a few more words from SFOT.

[vfairman07]

I feel bad for the family of the deceased woman, but also imagine how the employees must feel that were running the ride. Even if it was/wasn't there fault they were the ones who helped her in. It would be a hard thing to deal with, I've worked at another amusement park. If it happened to me I would feel horrible

[chadster]

 

Let's just wait until we have a full autopsy.

 

Why do we need an autopsy report, we know how she died. Simply passing out in a seat will not eject you if that is what you are getting at.

[lk2500]

Wow, how horrible. My prayers to the family members.

 

I was curious about what exact facts posters have about the restraints here.

 

Reading through the posts I have gathered that the restraints are hydraulic with the redundancy being two hydraulic cylinders. No lap belts are used.

 

So a couple of questions for ya'll:

 

1) How do the ride ops know for sure the restraints are locked? Are they supposed to just pull up on them to check? Somebody mentioned prior that there should be a light board showing that each seat restraint is locked. Is there in fact a light board like that for this particular ride? Just curious.

 

I just got back from Silverwood. Both Tremors and Timber Terror have lap belts in addition to the lap restraint/bar and Aftershock has the lap belt and also a belt/buckle that attaches the shoulder harness to the seat. I know in a high tech world that redundant hydraulics should be safe enough, but having a mechanical lap belt or attachment for the lap or shoulder restraint is a nice peace of mind. It will be interesting to see what the investigation turns up.

[PalmTree55]

What about SuperDuperLooper, and Psyce Underground? Are they open?

[deathbydinn]

Somebody mentioned prior that there should be a light board showing that each seat restraint is locked. Is there in fact a light board like that for this particular ride? Just curious.

 

Behind the first row of each car is four green lights that turn on when the corresponding restraint is closed enough. For many of my rides the ride op behind the panel made the workers recheck certain cars restraints for whatever reason. I would have a very hard time believing that a train could leave the station with a restraint not closed down far enough, they were very adamant in making sure every restraint was closed as far as it could go.

[leeojUK]

Irrespective of causes and media coverage, a traumatizing event for her family/friends and some of those around the coaster/park at the time. I can not begin to imagine what they're all going through, I hope they get the support and help they need

[b&mforever]

I know some coasters won't even let it dispatch if the restraints show as not closed without some sort of override. I don't know exactly how Rocky Mountain has this setup though.

[chadster]

I know some coasters won't even let it dispatch if the restraints show as not closed without some sort of override. I don't know exactly how Rocky Mountain has this setup though.

 

Rocky Mountain does not make ride control systems. The park chose and programmed the ride control system.

[HWFan]

Both Pandemonium (spinner) and the Boss are operating at SFSTL today.

[ernierocker]

^Thanks for the update. Looks like the only other ride that is still closed because of this is Iron Rattler.

[Jew]

I know some coasters won't even let it dispatch if the restraints show as not closed without some sort of override. I don't know exactly how Rocky Mountain has this setup though.

 

That would depend on their control system. The original S:TE & Xcelerator (maybe all older Intamins?) used to be able to be dispatched with lapbars up. The State made the parks modify the rides so this was no longer the case.

[jjune4991]

Somebody mentioned prior that there should be a light board showing that each seat restraint is locked. Is there in fact a light board like that for this particular ride? Just curious.

 

Behind the first row of each car is four green lights that turn on when the corresponding restraint is closed enough. For many of my rides the ride op behind the panel made the workers recheck certain cars restraints for whatever reason. I would have a very hard time believing that a train could leave the station with a restraint not closed down far enough, they were very adamant in making sure every restraint was closed as far as it could go.

 

On Montu, we have a light for each restraint behind the row and in the panel. Even if the seat belt is secured, the restraint may not have clicked the full three times, and the light will not turn on. If a light is not on, we cannot send the train out of the station. So if NTAG's system is the same, then her restraint was secure enough for the computer system to allow the train to leave the station.

[robbalvey]

I've done some clean-up and removed all the posts that really had nothing to do with the accident, were purely speculation, and were just creating pointless heated debate.

 

I will encourage everyone to try to stay civil (myself included), and perhaps we should let the discussion simmer a bit until there are more details released, which I would have to imagine would be pretty soon.

 

Have we seen any other real news articles about the accident? Any more details about the woman? Any police reports, etc?

 

I think I'd rather us all focus on REAL reports rather than argue amongst ourselves and create a destructive atmosphere.

 

Agreed? Cool.

[chadster]

Victim ID'd

 

 

WFAA

 

ARLINGTON — Witnesses said they watched in horror as a woman fell from her seat on the Texas Giant roller coaster Friday night at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington.

 

The theme park on Saturday said it is "committed to determining the cause of this tragic accident."

"It would be a disservice to the family to speculate regarding what transpired,"said Six Flags spokeswoman Sharon Parker in a written statement issued at noon Saturday. "When we have new information to provide, we will do so."

 

Family members identified the victim as Rosy Esparza.

 

The accident happened at about 6:45 p.m. as Carmen Brown was next in line to ride the coaster. Brown said the woman got on the ride with her son.

 

"She goes up like this," Brown said raising her hand up in the air. "Then when it drops to come down that's when it released and she just tumbled ... and I said, 'That could have been me, because I don't do roller coasters.'"

Also in line was the Putman family, of Rockwall. Darlene, John and their daughters Ashley and Haley Putman stood behind Esparza and her family for an hour.

 

"They were laughing and talking," John said, adding that Esparza appeared to be in her 50s. The family didn't witness the fall, but said the victim's son was clearly distraught when the ride returned to the loading platform.

"He was saying 'She fell! she fell!'" Mrs. Putman recalled.

 

The Putmans said he tried to race onto the tracks, but workers escorted him away.

 

Six Flags immediately closed the ride and the surrounding area while most of the theme park remained open.

Officials at Six Flags did not reveal details about Esparza's death, but released an official statement not long after the incident:

 

We are deeply saddened to share that earlier this evening an adult woman died in the park while on the Texas Giant. Park medical staff and local paramedics responded immediately. Since the safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority, the ride has been closed pending further investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this difficult time.

Early Saturday, Six Flags added that the investigation into the death was continuing. "We are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the accident," spokeswoman Shannon Parker said in a written statement.

 

She added that the Texas Giant ride remains closed and that the Bridgit Mendler concert scheduled for Saturday night has been canceled.

Originally an all-wooden roller coaster introduced to the park in 1990, the Texas Giant ride was redesigned with a steel track and re-opened in April of 2011 during the theme park's 50th anniversary. The ride's tallest height is 153 feet and has a drop of 147 feet.

Six Flags says the ride has "a record-breaking bank" of 95 degrees, "steeper than any wooden coaster on the planet."

 

Arlington police are investigating whether the woman suffered a medical emergency before the fall.

 

In 1999, a 28-year-old Arkansas woman drowned and 10 other passengers were injured when a raft-like boat on the Roaring Rapids ride at Six Flags overturned in 2 to 3 feet of water about 200 feet from the end of the ride.

Six Flags Over Texas opened in 1961 as the first amusement park in the Six Flags system. It is 17 miles west of downtown Dallas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

E-mail twoodard@wfaa.com

Edited July 20, 2013 by chadster

[CPmillenia94]

Im sorry if I'm being redundant if somebody already posted this, but Carmen Brown stated in a video interview that I saw that the woman was "larger"..

[bigboy]

The Twitter feed @NewsBreaker has also ID'd the victim and posted a different picture from the one above.

[ernierocker]

Here is that picture that is supposedly the victim:

[Dragon Khan]

Although accidents are totally unrelated, in its first season, Stampida (PortAventura) ALSO killed a larger rider... (the first drop trim was added just after). I do not remember which party was held responsible back then but I DO remember there was no mechanical failure. I'm deeply saddenned for the family and witnesses. A WHOLE LOT MORE than by upcoming missed crédits. (Doing TPR Texas Midwest)

[golfburner1]

This is why overweight people need to be checked at the entrance or just not be able to ride.