Hershey Park, a popular amusement park in Pennsylvania, has experienced several roller coaster accidents over the years. These incidents have raised concerns about ride safety, maintenance protocols, and visitor awareness. Notable accidents include the SooperDooperLooper incident where a man was ejected from the ride, and the Comet rollercoaster incident involving a young boy. These events have led to increased scrutiny of park safety measures and operational procedures.
What Are the Most Significant Hershey Park Coaster Accidents?
SooperDooperLooper Accident
- Date: Unspecified
- Victim: 26-year-old man
- Cause: Rider stood up and waved arms before ejection
- Injuries: Broken bones, punctured lung
- Legal aftermath: Attorneys argued for better safety features
Comet Rollercoaster Incident
- Year: 1998
- Victim: 7-year-old boy
- Injury: Vertebral artery tear/bleed leading to stroke
- Outcome: Recovery after physical therapy, loss of some peripheral vision
How Does Hershey Park Ensure Coaster Safety?
Hershey Park implements various safety measures to prevent accidents:
- Regular maintenance schedules
- Frequent safety inspections
- Rider restrictions (height and age requirements)
- Trained ride operators
However, incidents have shown that these measures are not always foolproof.
What Types of Injuries Occur in Hershey Park Coaster Accidents?
Based on reports from the 2009 and 2010 seasons, injuries at Hershey Park included:
- Lacerations
- Chipped teeth
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Electrical burns
- Fractured bones
- Ankle sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries
These injuries occurred during various phases of ride operation: boarding, riding, and exiting.
How Does Hershey Park Respond to Coaster Accidents?
Hershey Park’s response to accidents typically involves:
- Immediate medical attention (on-site or at Hershey Medical Center)
- Accident investigation
- Implementation of safety improvements
- Review and update of safety protocols
For example, after the 1987 Canyon River Rapids incident (though not a coaster), the park focused on improving maintenance and inspection procedures for ride systems.
What Are the Common Causes of Hershey Park Coaster Accidents?
Investigations have identified several causes of accidents:
| Cause | Example |
|---|---|
| Mechanical failures | Conveyor belt malfunction in Canyon River Rapids |
| Design defects | Potential issues with lap bar design in some rides |
| Adverse weather conditions | Not specifically mentioned but a common factor in park accidents |
| Operator errors | Improper monitoring of rider behavior |
| Insufficient safety devices | Lack of additional restraints in some cases |
How Have Hershey Park Coaster Accidents Impacted Safety Measures?
Accidents at Hershey Park have led to several changes and improvements:
- Increased frequency of inspections
- Enhanced safety devices on rides
- Improved training for ride operators
- More stringent enforcement of rider restrictions
- Regular review and update of safety protocols
For instance, after the 1998 Comet incident, there was a renewed focus on ride design and maintenance to prevent similar injuries.
What Should Visitors Know About Hershey Park Coaster Safety?
Visitors to Hershey Park should be aware of the following:
- Always follow posted safety guidelines and instructions from ride operators
- Observe height and age restrictions for rides
- Report any unusual behavior or mechanical issues to park staff
- Secure loose items before boarding rides
- Remain seated and keep all body parts inside the ride at all times
- If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, do not hesitate to speak up or exit the ride if possible
How Does Hershey Park Compare to Other Parks in Terms of Coaster Safety?
While Hershey Park has experienced accidents, it’s important to note that:
- Accidents occur at many amusement parks
- The overall rate of serious injuries at Hershey Park is relatively low considering the number of visitors
- The park has shown a commitment to improving safety measures after incidents
However, a comprehensive comparison would require detailed data from other parks, which is not always publicly available.
What Legal Actions Have Resulted from Hershey Park Coaster Accidents?
Legal actions following Hershey Park coaster accidents have included:
- Lawsuits filed by injured parties or their families
- Arguments for improved safety features (e.g., in the SooperDooperLooper case)
- Settlements in some cases, though details are often not disclosed
These legal actions have often led to further scrutiny of park safety measures and sometimes resulted in changes to park policies or ride designs.
How Can Future Hershey Park Coaster Accidents Be Prevented?
To prevent future accidents, Hershey Park could consider:
- Implementing more advanced safety technologies
- Increasing the frequency and thoroughness of ride inspections
- Enhancing rider education about safety procedures
- Improving communication between ride operators and maintenance staff
- Regularly reviewing and updating safety protocols based on industry best practices
By continuously improving safety measures and learning from past incidents, Hershey Park can work towards minimizing the risk of future coaster accidents.
References:
1. Hershey Park Accidents and Incidents
2. Hershey Park Accident Injury Lawyer
3. Tidal Force Flume Crashes at Hersheypark