Teen dies after fall from Terra Mitica roller coaster

It just makes we wonder, why does Intamin continue to make their attractions with poor design flaws, sell them, and then when an accident, nothing changes. This by far not the first incident they've made. (Obviously you can't count on your hands, and feet.) Obviously, something is wrong in their manufacturing, that ensues the rigorous amounts of failure, accidents, and fatalities. I have the hardest time stepping in to an Intamin ride, because you never know if that's the ride that's going to go cataclysmic.

My favorite rides at CP are made by Intamin: MF, TTD, and Maverick. I never fear getting on those. With restraints and a seat belt, I feel pretty safe. I think the odds of a catastrophe are very slim. I think you're more likely to win the lottery.

There is one problem with that list of Intamin incidents - there is no common denominator in each of the accidents other than the manufacturer. All of them had different circumstances that resulted in the accident.

Also, I would dispute your statement that there have been countless cable issues with rides like Top Thrill Dragster, Xcelerator, etc... Multiple incidents, yes. Countless, no.

Regardless, Intamin's safety record against the number of rides delivered annually is still impressive, but as Jeff noted B&M's record is even better.

Yeah guys you all committing logical fallacies with this - THIS IS INTAMIN'S FAULT.

Things like "obviously there is something wrong in their manufacturing" are LOL worthy -- this is not obvious at all.

Let us agree to chill TFO and wait to see what the investigation seems to reveal.

+1 for the TWD meme.

Hey cdude, how bout you not tell people what to do.

And Eric, seriously? Pretty sure the 'countless' comment fits. He wasn't saying Literally you can't count the issues. It's a figure of speech.

Tommytheduck said:

Don't forget that half of the incidents mentioned above involved riders who should not have ridden. They were either to large, or in once case, missing a limb that is essential to the restraint design. These are tragic, for sure, but, as pointed out, not limited to Intamin rides, nor necessarily Intamins fault.

Yes, it is Intamin's fault completely, not the person riding the coaster... Only the amputee incident I agree was a park issue and not a manufacturer problem when they let him ride when he was not supposed to.

Plenty of over-sized people ride B&M's every day and do just fine. How come Intamin's continue to throw people from their rides?

Much like Rocky Mountain found out with Texas Giant (which later became more restrictive in both the upper limit the computer would allow the train to dispatch with a restraint, along with the addition of a seatbelt). Hopefully they see not more incidents moving forward...

Obviously it is a flaw in Intamin's safety systems and allowing the ride to dispatch with the harnesses at unsafe "limits" along with the harness itself simply not being restrictive enough to self-moderate extreme body types. B&M speed trains always required the bar to be down so far for the train to dispatch, along with seats designed that you are basically being cradled by the seat, supporting your lateral movements as well. Intamin trains are not nearly as supportive.

You simply cannot blame the person who went on the ride, regardless of size... If the ride said "OK" and was able to dispatch, regardless of how big they were, you should expect them to come back alive. No excuse.

Okay... I'll give you that.

Just to be clear, the trains on New Texas Giant were designed and supplied by Gerstlauer. I believe Rocky Mountain didn't step into that arena until Outlaw Run. The trains are similar, but different as well. They both were originally operated with lap bar restraints only.

Not that they didn't learn the "lesson" as all trains on all rides from them currently run with seat belts. Which, sadly for us, is probably how it should be.

Sure, there were all kinds of different circumstances for all the Intamin incidents. But there's still one common denominator: Intamin. You don't think people of all shapes and sizes have mistakenly be let onto B&M or Vekoma rides? Or snuck on or whatever? I seriously doubt Intamin rides are the only ones seeing this tremendous variety of circumstances, but they're the only ones throwing riders.

It's the disturbing nature of all the Intamin deaths and dismemberments that get to me, added to the amount of Intamin rides "bad things" have happened on. You hear bad news about Intamin very frequently.

It might be somewhat unfair, because they do build a lot of different kinds of rides, but like I always say, even if it isn't true, it seems true, and that is just as bad.

cdude3 said:

Let us agree to chill TFO and wait to see what the investigation seems to reveal.

Let us agree that you should walk into the nearest restroom and wash your mouth out with soap and quit being so bossy. lol

Other rides of the same model now closing (including the larger version at SFMM). Would that order/suggestion typically come from Intamin, or would parks willfully close their models until they hear more about why this accident occurred?

It is pretty standard procedure for the entire industry as a whole to close similar ride types when an accident occurs. Good question though. Does this happen because the ride's manufacturer says so, the various insurance companies say to close them, or do most or all of the parks voluntarily decide to close them themselves?

I imagine there's a call/fax from the insurers to anyone with a similar ride vehicle by the same manufacturer that says "shut it down until the investigation reveals the defect...you are hereby NOT covered for rollercoaster X until said defect is found and corrected."

I think every coaster manufacturer worries about their restraint being able to hold "anybody" at anytime. I won't name any names but I was at a media day years ago for a new coaster, one that relies on the restraints to keep you alive. Someone from the coaster manufacturer was present and he looked at me with great concern in his eyes as I was borderline being able to fit. Sure the restraints were secure as they could be but he still looked concerned. I'm not naming names because it would be wrong as I am making the assumption just based on the way he looked at me. And no it wasn't an Intamin ride.

Hey -- I asked politely ("let us") and I admit I feel a little bad for being so aggressively right. Please understand it's a very difficult position to always find oneself. ;-p

omg everyone so touchy here.

but really. we have no idea what happened. As a statistician I get unusually uncomfortable in the face of apparent fallacies. lol

Saying 'CTF Out' isn't being polite. Especially since you're not a seasoned member.

As a human being I get unusually uncomfortable when people are rude.

Only person being touchy here is you.

It's kind of hard to be polite while dropping the F bomb, text talk or not.

Is that you Sandor? ;-)

cdude3 said:

As a statistician I get unusually uncomfortable with capitalization and proper grammar.

Fixed it.