Global incidence of theme park and amusement ride accidents

This study describes worldwide occurrence of accidents involving amusement rides. The study compiled and

classified reports in international media coverage for a one-year period, analysing event type, ride type, op-

eration type, and regional location. Media reports provided limited detail and almost certainly omitted some

events but remain the only publicly available data on a global scale.

Over the year, 182 accident events were reported, from 38 countries, of which 51 events involved a fatality.

Mechanical rides and roller coasters were involved in 87 events. Fixed-site rides (amusement and theme parks),

mobile rides, and waterparks were involved with a similar number of cases. The most common event type with

fixed-site and mobile rides was ride malfunction (63 cases). In waterparks, drowning or near-miss of drowning

was most common (27 cases). Just 11 reports involved improper rider action, 12 involved failure of reasonable

action, and 11 involved medical conditions or reactions.

Occurrence as a proportion of attendance was highest in Latin America, predominantly involving mechanical

non-tracked rides; water attractions predominated in North America. Lower prevalence of malfunctions in North

America suggests value of professional development for mechanics and inspectors and strong regulation to

promote international safety standards.