Amusement parks are supposed to be fun and worry-free places where families gather to enjoy the day, ride some rides, and play games. Sadly, sometimes what is supposed to be a day of fun turns into a tragedy due to the common dangers of amusement parks. This week, a malfunction at Australia’s largest theme park resulted in the deaths of four people. The malfunction occurred on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at Dreamworld theme park in Queensland.
The “flume” the passengers were riding on flipped after it came in contact with another carriage towards the end of the ride, tossing some of the passengers onto the conveyor belt, where they were caught in the machinery. The victims included two men, ages 35 and 32, and two women, ages 42 and 38. The park has closed its doors while an investigation takes place. Back home in the states, several parks have closed down rides similar to the Thunder River Rapids as a precaution.
Most Common Houston Amusement Park Accidents
Ride Mechanical Failure
The most common accident type overall at fixed-site parks is loss of structural or mechanical integrity — mechanical malfunctions — and 23% of those reports involved one or more fatal injuries.
Slip and Falls at Amusement Parks
The majority of amusement park accidents don’t involve rides at all. Failure to properly clean around food stands and bathrooms leads to slip and fall accidents throughout the park. Wet walkways near water attractions are a major contributor.
Falls From or Within Rides
Falling in, on, off, or against a ride was the most frequent mechanism of injury, accounting for 31.7% of reported injuries.
Water Slide Injuries
Water slides are the attraction with the highest number of incidents, recording 1,647 injuries from 2011 to 2016. Collisions at the bottom, improper body positioning, and high-speed impacts are the main causes. Goldberg & Loren Law Firm
Drowning / Near-Drowning
In water parks specifically, drowning or near-drowning was the most common type of serious accident. Wave pools and lazy rivers are frequent locations for these incidents.
Head, Neck & Soft Tissue Injuries
The head and neck were the most commonly injured body regions (28%), and the most common injury type was soft tissue injury (29.4%). These frequently result from sudden jolts, whiplash on roller coasters, or collisions.
Ride Operator Errors
The two most common reasons for accidents in theme parks are mechanical errors and operator errors. Improperly secured harnesses, failure to enforce height/weight restrictions, and inattentive ride operators are leading contributors.
Inadequate Supervision / Crowd Control Failures
Accidents may occur because park management fails to adequately instruct guests on the proper use of rides, fails to conduct proper crowd control, or fails to put up signage warning guests about hazards. While amusement park accidents may seem like freak, chance events, they are actually more common than you may think. Accidents at amusement parks, like the Astroworld catastrophe, occur at an average of roughly 9,000 per year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). While many of the injuries are minor and result in little more than scrapes and bruises, many others are very serious. Each year, an average of 4.5 deaths occur.
Crowd surge injuries are also common for amusement parks, festivals, and large outdoor concerts that fail to implement appropriate safety precautions.
Roller Coaster Injuries
Roller coasters contribute to approximately 10.2% of ride-related injuries in the U.S. Children represent roughly half of all ride-related injuries overall, with head and neck injuries being the most serious outcomes.
Amusement Park Injury Claims in Texas
When an injury or death occurs at an amusement park, there are several types of legal claims that can be brought against the park. The two most common types of claims include negligence and product liability. A claim for negligence can arise when the park accident was caused by the carelessness or inattention of the park or a park employee. In contrast, a claim for product liability is appropriate when the accident is caused by defective rides or components and not by improper maintenance, inspection, operation, or use.
Major Amusement Parks in Houston, TX
- Kemah Boardwalk (Kemah, ~25 mi SE of Houston) — Classic waterfront boardwalk with rides, roller coasters, restaurants, and bay views. One of the most visited attractions in the region.
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (Galveston) — Oceanfront rides built right over the Gulf on Seawall Blvd. Roller coasters, carnival games, and food.
- Grand Texas Theme Park (New Caney, ~35 mi N) — A newer large-scale park complex that includes Big Rivers Waterpark, zip lines, adventure activities, and seasonal events.
- Gator Bayou Adventure Park (New Caney) — Adjacent to Grand Texas; adventure-focused with gator exhibits, rides, and outdoor activities.
- Slick City Action Park (Houston/Willowbrook) — Indoor year-round slide and action park, great for all ages and weather-proof.
Major Water Parks in Houston, TX
- Hurricane Harbor Splashtown (Spring, ~30 mi N) — Six Flags-operated, 48-acre water park with major slides, wave pool, and lazy river. One of the largest in the area.
- Typhoon Texas Waterpark (Katy, ~30 mi W) — Popular family water park with extensive slides, wave pool, lazy river, and Texas-themed decor.
- Pirates Bay Water Park (Baytown, ~25 mi E) — Caribbean-themed 3-acre park featuring a FlowRider surf machine, slides, and pool activities.
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston (Galveston) — Major Galveston water park with tubing runs, slides, and wave features.
- Palm Beach at Moody Gardens (Galveston) — Man-made beach with a wave pool, lazy river, water slides, and a family-friendly splash pad. Part of the larger Moody Gardens resort complex.
- Splashway Waterpark (Sheridan, ~70 mi SW) — Highly rated family park with campground on site. Consistently praised for cleanliness, friendly staff, and manageable crowds.
If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, contact our lawyers for a free and confidential case evaluation. Call 1-866-LAW-2400 or complete the contact form on this website.
