Action Park was a water park in Vernon, New Jersey that ran from 1978 to 1996. Is Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Failing? But, according to the Amusement Safety Organization, at least six other major accidents were reported between 2006 and 2010. Local officials were likely to look the other way when a serious incident occurred. Almost all of them have had to do with their dangerous rides or their poor maintenance. What Other Night-Time Events Could Avengers: Power the Night Inspire at Disneyland Paris? Heres How To Fix It And, A Brief History Of Action Park And How It Earned Its Reputation For Injuries & Death, Why Action Park Was The Most Dangerous Amusement Park In The World, Cannonball Loop: The Infamous Action Park Loop Slide, The Tidal Wave Pool (aka "The Grave Pool"), Rollin' On The River Ride (aka "The Toilet Bowl"). A chair lift would take you to the top of the hill where you got on a little cart that had a stick to control braking and speed. After suffering some minor road rash on the Alpine Slide, he became cautious about going on the more intimidating rides, especially the Geronimo Slide, a waterslide that was basically a vertical drop with sides so low park guests were warned not to move at all or they risked flying over. These incidents took place in the early 80s. Its not that we are any better for how we handled things, we just didnt know any other way. One of the craziest attractions was the Cannonball Loop. So you can understand why this is seen as one of the most dangerous parks in the States. Related:17 Weird Things About Coney Island We Didn't Know (8 We Didn't Want To). Cannonball Loop: The Infamous Action Park Loop Slide Employees found out how to override the speed governor and the karts could now hit speeds of up to 60mph. Donald Trump even went to check out Action Park to see if it was worth investing in. A ride called, "Tsunami" malfunctioned and injured nine people. After minutes of sitting on the track, anticipating the stomach-dropping sensation to come, riders realized there was an issue. It definitely beheaded dummies during test runs. Despite the obvious consequences of hiding safety information from the public, there are still at least 13 secrets water parks wont tell you. This event resulted in tragic results for the family involved. Three teenagers drowned in the Grave Pool. Action Park was taking up most of the usage of the area ambulances to the point they were forced to buy their own. Luckily, the Catapult did not cause any fatal accidents during its existence. There was a tube ride that was so overrun with people it became like Roller Derby. You get one of the most dangerous amusement parks of all time.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'everything80spodcast_com-box-3','ezslot_5',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-everything80spodcast_com-box-3-0'); Action Park was a water park in Vernon, New Jersey that ran from 1978 to 1996. More lawsuits had also popped up. The Tagada may not be as fast or as steep as a roller-coaster, but it is certainly more dangerous. Yet, in October 2016, Thunder River Rapids claimed its place among the most dangerous rides ever opened. Back in the late 1990s a ride broke down and gravely injured a little girl and injured eight others. WebClass Action Park: America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park. How about rides that try to replicate the speed and action of downhill skiing? People were getting launched off the track. Seriously, that's some bad press right there. And then someone else tragically passed away riding the Alpine Slide. Amusement park rides, unlike horror movies, actually do kill people. Operators quickly halted the ride, before the passengers could be flung untethered into the great beyond. Was the American Airlines AAirpass the Worst Promotion Ever? Still, if you need to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center, here's a tip: take the ferry. Ocean City in New Jersey at Gillian's Wonderland Pier Unfortunately, another death occurred in the wave pool. Were their connections to the mob? Anyone who thought up an idea had a genuine shot of seeing it created. I dont recall any type of CPR, compressions or anything, but I was on my way out if it wasnt for the guy who pulled me out., Mark, a 39-year-old who now lives in Oakland, had a memorable experience on the Tarzan Swing, a protozip line that you whipped down before dropping into wait for it frigid water. Youd be flying down the side of a literal mountain and suddenly see that the person in front of you had gotten scared and stopped and was inching their way down, you know, because it was scary. I saw many people getting off at the bottom crying and holding ribbons of their own flesh in their hands. When Action Park first opened, it started with a two-day promotion, including a Dolly Parton look-alike contest, and a tobacco juice spitting competition. 'World Of Jumanji' At Chessington World Of Adventures Gets Official Opening Date. But another death occurred again in 1984. Then there were the issues with Robert Brennan. 5 of the Most Dangerous Amusement Park Rides Ever Opened 1 Son of Beast roller coaster. This ride, the crown jewel of the Kings Island amusement park in Ohio, is exactly what you might imagine when you hear the words terrifying 2 Verrckt waterslide. 3 The Catapult. 4 Cyclone. 5 Thunder River Rapids Yep, people actually met there end thanks to the poor safety management at the park,according to RideAccidents. [My father] was willing to take risks associated with that, let them take risks. You went so fast that if your chin hit the water at the wrong angle, you chipped your teeth, she recalled, having lost part of a tooth herself. Most of which have to do with the sliding safety standards surrounding the park's rides. The owner of Action Park also had connections to some higher-up people, which seemed to lead to even fewer restraints. I was only eight or so, but I distinctly remembering thinking, What the fuck is happening here? Kids were getting rocked on this ride and having to be pulled out of the pool. Hint: It might be by foot. That was the case with Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey. What could possibly go wrong! Most infamous of all the rides was the famed Cannonball Loop, a water slide with an enclosed loop in it. When the operator releases the vehicle, it catapults them into the air at tremendous speeds. But if you braked too fast, youd go flying off the track too, he recounts. Danger, however, isnt really a sustainable business. Good thinking. I heard the rumors of someone dying in it.. The Six Flags in New Jersey, as well as in Georgia and Kentucky, have had to be shut down completely due to some unimaginably awful events that took place there. Another dangerous attraction needs little explanation as to why injuries occurred in such high numbers. Riders would feel the adrenaline pulsing through their veins as they shot down the sharp slope, with a German name that literally translates to insane.. On two separate occasions the trains have malfunctioned, leading to stalls and crashes that injured a total of 46 people. They pushed the idea that Vernon was going to become the new Orlando. Perhaps the most deadly attraction, however, was the Tidal Wave Pool. Despite its notorious legacy, many of those who grew up in the area of Vernon Township, New Jersey hold fond memories of the park and wear the memory of their injuries from Action Park like medals of honor. However, soon after the parks opening, it became apparent there would be many problems in the years to come. The constant news reports about the danger and accidents at the park caused people to turn away. Following this incident, investigations revealed that park operators had concealed their knowledge of the slides design flaws, violated engineering standards, and knowingly sent riders onto a deadly contraption. The most horrific of these injuries was the last: A ten-year-old boy was thrown from the raft, struck his head against a metal pole, and was gruesomely killed. It seems like a fairly safe place, but after hearing abouta tree branch falling on the rails of a roller coaster ride and derailing the coaster's car, that's enough for anyone to want to stay away. Was Three Mile Island an Accident Waiting to Happen. "Schlitterbahn." In the late 1970s, he began looking for a way to make money during the summer months. In perhaps the most absurd ride in the park, the Cannonball Slide propelled riders vertically around a massive loop. People who grew up going to and working at Action Park repeatedly compare it to a real-life 1980s movie., People were just running around drunk, getting sunburned and passing out from exhaustion and near-drowning experiences, Seccia adds. There were a couple dozen NFL players, hopped up on the thrill of winning the Super Bowl (and perhaps a few drinks). What could possibly go wrong? The ride had previously caused a number of bruises, broken bones, and other injuries. Visitors struggled to escape the eight-foot-deep Tidal Pool, also known as the Grave Pool. Nitro is basically a thrill ride which takes its riders on a sharp vertical dive and then immediately after that you'll find yourself 5,400 feet above the ground. Back in 2014, Mount Olympus had permanently closed a ride after a major accident. Castles N' Coasters is a popular amusement park in Arizona. Kendra is a writer, a Project Manager at a marketing agency and a dog mama to two Boston Terriers. My cousin got his ass stuck in one of the suction intakes in the wave pool. But, yes, unfortunately, there were deaths. Per James, This was a foam rubber tube that went under the ground and then dropped you out 10 feet or so above a pool of ice fucking cold mountain water., James quickly felt apprehensive about his choice, however. Not only were his memories correct, things were actually crazier than he remembered. In particular, Disney World in Florida has had some pretty awful things happen, including that very publicized event with the alligator. Furthermore, Son of Beast was the only wooden roller coaster of its time to attempt a vertical loop. In an era of deregulation, many believed they could regulate themselves. But you may be asking yourself this question: how in the hell was this possible and how could they ever get insurance for a place so dangerous? It appealed to our lack of senses and desire for risk. It represented the freedoms kids had during this era. On one day, four riders of Thunder River Rapids died when their raft flipped on the conveyor belt and the machinery kept moving. My balls and groin area were bruised for a week after that., Still, his only regret is that he never got to try the parks (other) infamous Cannonball Slide. He had to be stretchered out. Fights and violence were common, as the clientele were not exactly the elite of society. A Brand New, World-Class Dark Ride Quietly Opened in the U.S. Across the pond, M&D's Motherwell theme park was fined over a ride crash. So, go at your own risk. Not only did he have a company to prevent him from paying insurance, but he could also launder money through it. At Six Flags Georgia, not one, but two people died in separate incidents while walking underneath the ride. Even experienced swimmers tired quickly in the rough waves, and lifeguards reported having to rescue dozens of visitors each weekend. After all, a few of their rides have physically broken during operation resulting in traumatic events, according to DOSH. abandoned amusement parks will give you the creeps. I remember some guy yelling, LET GO! So I did. The state of New Jersey was at its wits end and decided to sell him the land. Do we have time for one more? But now the park was fully open to the public. 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