[32] On January 9, 2023, Cedar Point announced on social media that the ride would reopen in 2024 under the tagline "A New Formula For Thrills", although the park did not release any other information at that time. Opinion:Theodore Decker: Cedar Point betrays its customers through silence after amusement park injury, Top Thrill Dragster:Body cam footage shows Cedar Point guest screaming in agony. THE world's second tallest rollercoaster has been closed forever after a woman waiting in line was hit on the head by a metal bracket. Rachel is fighting for her life, and we would ask for privacy in this difficult time.". Top Thrill Dragster fans have been speculating the possibilities over the the last few months of what this reimagining will include and although nothing is still officially confirmed, what we do know for certain is that the hydraulic launch will be replaced by a LSM launch track. Screamscape has now reported a rumor that Cedar Point is getting ready to start work on the site of the coaster. On Wednesday, Director of Communications Tony Clark, in response to several questions, provided this statement: Our focus continues to be on the guest and her family. I'm not saying that you should look down on #TopThrillDragster, but I AM saying that you should enjoy another aerial shot.#cedarpoint #rollercoaster pic.twitter.com/NlPcnrwSCV. [5] In August, an informal announcement from Cedar Point confirmed the park was building a new ride for the 2003 season. The woman cried out for help repeatedly from the ground near the Top Thrill Dragster. In August 2021, a 44-year-old Michigan woman Rachel Hawes was badly hurt when a metal bracket fell off the Top Thrill Dragster rollercoaster and hit her in the back of her head. We will keep you updated as work continues on the reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengaged, and the train began its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420-foot (130m) top hat. It was next scheduled to be inspected in September. Those upgrades were made and the ride was ruled compliant on May 15. Ripley Steam Engine. The Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point. How can you protect somebody standing in line?, Dennis Speigel, an industry consultant, said hes confident Cedar Point will figure out what went wrong and will fix it. [8] By October, the roller coaster had reached 200 feet (61m) in height,[9] and the highest peak was topped off in December. Eyewitness describes Cedar Point coaster accident: It looked like a metal disc flying through the air, Cedar Point guest injured after being hit by falling roller coaster part. A description of the ride reads: "Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline. Martin said hes hoping for transparency from the investigation, from both the park and the state, in an effort to instill public confidence in the process. It had been the tallest in the world until 2003 when it was replaced by Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. A hole in the ground where the Top Thrill Dragster queue used to stand. When theres an accident on a ride, you dont tear it down, he said. (See the video below. In 2019, an estimated 1,294 injuries were reported across 131 parks, the equivalent of approximately 0.8 injuries per 1 million rides. Before the mishap, some 18 million guests rode the ride that sent peoplesome 420 feet in the air at a speed of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds. The ride ran another time before park guests could flag down staff at the front of the line to stop the ride, Leppo said, as some people started to scream and run to get out of line. Its the first time something has happened and a person was struck., Martin recently worked with a woman who was injured at an amusement park in California while waiting in line. 4 Dining Experiences We Wish Would Come To Walt Disney World, Lagoon: The Historic Theme Park That Was Nearly Destroyed. An actual Top Fuel dragster weighs approximately one ton, while each train on the coaster weighed 15 tons. The Infamous Top Thrill Dragster Accident 2021 (Documentary) - YouTube 0:00 / 11:54 The Infamous Top Thrill Dragster Accident 2021 (Documentary) Dark History 248K subscribers. The Post has sought comment from her family. Both Cedar Point EMS and Sandusky EMS responded to the incident. SANDUSKY, Ohio (WTVG) - Sandusky Police bodycam video from Cedar Point shows some of the chaotic moments after a woman was hit by a metal object that flew off the roller coaster she was in line to ride. I checked everything we could. [8] Officials for the park stated the goal was to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching 420 feet (130m) in height and accelerating up to 120mph (190km/h) in 4 seconds. Katie Boyer, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, would not give a timeframe for the conclusion of the state investigation. The state on Monday released the one-page initialincident report, which identified the victim as Hawes ofSwartz Creek, Michigan. Published: 4:20 PM EDT August 23, 2021. August 6 - Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point has been closed since August 2021 after an incident where a guest waiting in line was struck by a metal object that fell from the roller coaster. And did that process fail? The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot (128-meter) tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at the park in Sandusky. Please include the title when you click here to report it. The bodycam video shows a park employee hand an officer a small bolt that he said came off the ride, but he said he wasnt sure if that object is what hit the woman. It lost both records to Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in May 2005. It is the tallest roller coaster with 130 meters in height. SANDUSKY, Ohio (WOIO) - Cedar Point announced today that the Top Thrill Dragster will remain closed for the 2021 season following an incident where a guest was injured by an object that fell. Cedar Point did not acknowledge the incident and stated the closure was for maintenance reasons. SANDUSKY A female standing in line to ride Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster was taken to a hospital after she was struck by a small metal . It is one of the most popular. You fix it. (Editor's note: A version of this story briefly stated the incorrect size of the object in this incident.) Photo: cedar point. Cedar Point found not responsible for Top Thrill Dragster accident last year that injured patron, Ohio Gov. We are devastated by last weekends accident at Cedar Point," the statement said. We all saw it fly off. My creation stands one meter tall (126 studs), and a has a two meter (288 stud) run out. Hawes was waiting in line to board the roller coaster. A brief message was played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. Would You Want QUEEN To Replace Aerosmith On Rock 'n' Rollercoaster At Disney's Hollywood Studios? The large investment tied it with Millennium Force as being the most expensive in park history. "This is a very complicated ride," he said. Copyright 2021 WTVG. Top Thrill Dragster reaches a height of 420 feet (130m), a maximum speed of 120mph (190km/h), and features a total track length of 2,800 feet (850m). We will continue to follow the development and progress of the reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster which is slated to open in 2024 here at Theme Park Tourist. Upon descending, the track twisted 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes. The accident has left 44-year-old Rachel Hawes of Michigan in intensive care with a brain injury, according to a family statementreleased to a Cleveland TV station. Copyright 2022 WOIO. But the companys failure to communicate is causing widespread speculation on social media. It came, hit the top of one of those things and shot downwards.. 2 The Top Thrill Dragster has been permanently closed Credit: AP 2 Those changesincluded hydraulic upgrades, a hydraulic propulsion system upgrade and repairs to black cherry car No. The state on Monday released the one-page initialincident report, which identified the victim as Hawes ofSwartz Creek, Michigan, near Flint. Twitter. Four guests riding the coaster were hurt in 2004 when they were struck by metal shards from a metal cable during the launch. January 10 - Since September 2022 when it was confirmed that this legendary coaster would indeed be reimagined, all eyes have been on Cedar Point and the construction progress of the iconic Top Thrill Dragster. "This is a very complicated ride," he said. Even now, he said, while the investigation is ongoing, park officials should be more forthcoming,. Cedar Point's legacy of roller coaster innovation continues with a one-of-a-kind addition to the park's world-renowned ride lineup, coming in 2024. [23] An investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) determined that half of the bolts securing the plate dislodged. The woman, who was hit in the head, was transported to Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky. Exactly what from the ride train hit her has not been revealed. SANDUSKY, Ohio Its been three days since a horrific accident at one of Cedar Points most popular roller coasters, and there are still more questions than answers about the incident. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Claim your SPECIAL OFFER for MagellanTV here: https://try.magellantv.com/darkhistory. [22] The piece was later determined to be a flag plate an L-shaped bracket that signals the train's location to sensors positioned along the track. But the ride was plagued by frequent breakdowns and long lines over the years. IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, tracks injuries on rides in the United States and Canada. Top Thrill Dragster is among the fastest rollercoaster with a speed reaching up to 120 MPH. [10] To construct the roller coaster, the park used five cranes, two of which were 480-foot (150m) tall. Tony Clark, the director of communications at Cedar Point, tweeted: "After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the worlds first strata coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired.". "Due to the changes in ride inspections. 6 trains, with 5 cars. Because the incident is still under investigation, the ride remains closed and there is no additional information to share at this time.. The injuries were mainly arm abrasions, with one passenger experiencing cuts to the face. Because the incident is still under investigation, the ride remains closed and there is no additional information to share at this time.. Rachel Hawes is a 44 year old woman from Swartz Creek, Michigan. Approximately 35% of the injuries were on roller coasters, 53% on family and adult rides, and 12% on childrens rides, according to IAAPA. [2] The ride opened on May 4, 2003 as the first complete circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet in height. 0. The amusement park teased that Top Thrill Dragster will return with "a new formula" in 2024. And in 2016, two guests were injured when a launch cable detached from the coaster. If this was possible and the height could be increased above 418ft then Top Thrill Dragster would take back the record from Kingda Ka of being the tallest stratocoaster in North America. The bracket which was attached by bolts is supposed to hover just over the trackand a series of sensors that keeps tabs on the coaster as it makes its way at breakneck speed up and over a 420-foot-tall hill in 17 seconds. (Cedar Point) Just after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sandusky police officials received a radio call for an injured female at Cedar. The park has already announced it will not reopen this year. * What is the inspection process for Top Thrill Dragster? The Cedar Point amusement park is located in Sandusky, Ohio and has been in operation since 1870. Hawes was seriously injured by a piece of metal that fell from the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park. Northwest Ohio snow emergencies by county, Thousands without power as winter weather rolls in, FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY Ending Tonight, March 4th (Friday night update), Parents, students arrested in fight at Toledo elementary school, WATCH: Dave White Chevrolets Basketball Friday, Week 14, Trifecta, WATCH: Dave White Chevrolets Basketball Friday, Week 14. This ride will be torn down. (Special to WOIO) By Stephanie Czekalinski Published: Aug. 15, 2021 at 5:02 PM PDT SANDUSKY, Ohio (WOIO) - A female guest was injured while waiting in line at Cedar Point Sunday after a small. 32 . [38][39][40] Top Thrill Dragster was the second hydraulically-launched roller coaster from Intamin following Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm,[41] and along with Kingda Ka, it is one of two strata coasters ever built. tragic mishap last August severely injured a park guest, Woman at Cedar Point struck in the head by falling roller coaster piece, Multiple people injured on New Jersey Six Flags roller coaster with derailment history, officials say, New roller coaster, boardwalk in plans for 2023, Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThemeParkPredictionsElToroRyan - https://www.youtube.com/c/ElToroRyanCoaster Thrills - https://www.youtube.com/c/CoasterThrillsFrank H. - New Entertainment Pictures - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxYSNV4S6W1loUHaL00Biw East Coasters - https://www.youtube.com/c/EastCoasters 2's right rear lap-bar cylinder soft repair and a lap bar cylinder creep test. The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 128m-tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at the park in Sandusky, leaving her with severe injuries. October 18 - We are closely following the progress of the eagerly awaited Top Thrill Dragster reimagining which was first announced back in September. This ride (Top Thrill Dragster) has not demonstrated that.. This ride (hopefully) is fully operational, as I cannot test it in the digital world. All rights reserved. Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster is being retired - Axios Columbus Columbus Sep 7, 2022 - News So long, Top Thrill Tyler Buchanan Tyler snapped this picture of Top Thrill Dragster's hill while standing in line two weeks before it closed in August 2021. Her family said in a statement at the time: "We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. On July 17, 2021, a man climbed to the top of the Supreme Scream tower, prompting the temporary closure of most of the park's attractions and surrounding streets. After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the worlds first strata coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired, Cedar Point spokesperson Tony Clark tweeted on Tuesday. TOP THRILL DRAGSTER: The High Octane Story of Cedar Point's Coaster Wars Icon And Its Post-Pitstop Second Life. [6] Vertical construction by Martin & Vleminckx[7] began in the fall season, months before the formal announcement. It would be great to see Top Thrill Dragster fitted with new lightning trains which were unveiled at IAPPA in November 2022.