Fall and Ejections

Saferparks Report on Falls and Ejections - Last update July 2006

Table of Contents:
  Overview
  Data Sources
  Summary of Findings
  Whirling/Spinning Rides
  Kiddie Rides
  Coasters
  Other Ride Types
  Industry Standards for Restraints

Carousels

This category includes anything described in the regulatory report as a full-sized carousel or merry-go-round. These carry children and adults, and are large enough that parents can stand next to small children as they ride to help guard against falls.

Carousel accidents account for 7% of the records in the Falls/Ejection Data Set.
71% of the records reported children falling. One report noted that a mother fell and broke her wrist while trying to keep her child from falling. Falls involving children encompassed a wide age range
(age 1-13 years).

Water Rides

This category includes log flumes, rafting rides, boat rides, and bumper boats. These rides are generally designed without restraints, as they can create a serious hazard if the watercraft overturns. The lack of restraints can lead to falls, which can become serious when combined with the water, submerged conveyors, and crush potential between the boat and the side of the waterway.

Water Ride accidents account for 6% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set. Age distribution was not skewed toward young children for this ride type.
58% of the accident reports involved patrons (primarily adults and older children) falling into the flume on a log flume or rafting ride, either because they deliberately jumped off early (during a boat jam in one case), or because they lost balance while unloading.
Two children fell out of bumper boats and into the motor, in one case resulting in a near downing.
One 6-year-old slipped underneath the lap belt on a rafting ride when the raft hit a bump.

Swing Rides

These rides consist of a group of swing seats suspended from long chains in a circle. As the machinery spins, centrifugal force causes the swings to bell outward. Kiddie versions were grouped with larger versions in this category because the fall pattern is related to the ride action and carrier design rather than the size of the machine.

Swing Ride accidents account for 5% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set
67% of the accident reports involved children betwen the ages of 2-8 falling out of their seats midcycle. The smallest child slipped underneath the restraint; four of the remaining five reports stated that the child lifted or unlatched the restraint.
In one accident, several riders jumped from their seats when the ride began spinning faster due to a mechanical failure. Eight people were reported injured.
In another accident, a 12-year-old girl was forcefully ejected because the crotch strap was not latched on a Wave Swing.

Sky Rides

These are ski-lift style rides that consist of bench chairs that scoop up 1-3 riders at a load point, carry them into the air across some distance, and lower down near the ground at the end so passengers can disembark. Sky Rides do not have conforming restraints, but some have a metal bar that can be lowered in front of the passengers as a psychological comfort and reminder to stay seated.

Sky Ride accidents account for 4% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set. Age distribution was not skewed toward young children for this ride type.
Panic, deliberate risk-taking, and patron confusion/mistakes regarding the continuous motion load/unload appear to be the main causal factors. Patron confusion appeared more often in the accident narratives, but panic and deliberate risk-taking are associated with more serious falls (i.e., vertical distance is greater).

Wheels

This category includes Ferris wheels, double Ferris wheels, and giant gondola wheels.

Wheel accidents account for 4% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set. Age distribution of accidents within the Data Set was not skewed toward young children for this ride type.
Equipment or operations failure was noted in 71% of falls/ejections from wheels. Scenarios include lap bars releasing as patrons leaned forward, wheel moving while patrons were being unloaded, and tub catching on something and flipping the riders out.
Reports of wheel falls/ejections in the supplemental News Reports involved children ages 5, 6, 6, 9, and 13. Manufacturer recommendations for minimum height limits and accompanied rider rules appear to offer insufficient child safety protection on these devices, which reach great heights and do not provide secure restraints.

Car Rides

This category includes rides where patrons get inside their own gas-powered vehicle on a track, and the patron driver controls the accelerator.

Car Ride accidents account for 3% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set.
All accidents involved children (age 2-12) falling out of Antique Cars. Other types of car rides may not present the same risk for child falls due to lower vehicle height, or may have been categorized as kiddie rides in the Falls/Ejection Data Set.

Bungees

This category includes amusement devices where patrons are strapped into an enclosure or a harness and propelled on a restricted path via bungee cords.

Bungee accidents account for 2% of the records in the Falls/Ejections Data Set. Age distribution was not skewed toward young children for this ride type.
Equipment or operational failure was noted as the cause of all bungee falls/ejections included in the Falls/Ejection Data Set.

Falls and Ejections - Part 8: Industry Standards for Amusement Ride Restraints

Fall and Ejections - Part 7