A couple was enjoying a thrilling experience on one of their favorite rides when they heard distressing screams coming from behind them. Realizing that the screams were not of excitement but of danger, the couple quickly took action to help a young girl whose seatbelt had malfunctioned. A photo captured during the ride depicted the intense moment and has circulated widely on social media platforms.
Chris and Cassie Evins, parents of four children, were at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri on October 11 for what they anticipated to be a fun outing. While riding the Mamba roller coaster, which can reach speeds of 75mph and heights of 205ft, they noticed a passenger behind them was in distress.
The girl behind Cassie let out a chilling scream at the start of the ride, prompting Chris to realize that her seatbelt had become undone. Acting swiftly, Chris and Cassie worked together to secure the girl by holding her down as the coaster navigated its twists and turns.
Despite having ridden the roller coaster numerous times before, Chris and Cassie were able to anticipate the moments when the girl might be at risk of falling out of her seat and adjusted their positions to ensure her safety during the ride.
Following the incident, the amusement park confirmed that a secondary restraint was in place on the ride and that it had been promptly shut down for inspection. The park spokesperson reassured the public that necessary safety measures had been implemented to meet and exceed safety standards before reopening the ride to guests.
In a statement to UNILAD on November 4, park representatives reiterated that the ride’s multi-layered restraint system, with lap bars as the primary restraint and seat belts as a secondary measure, had undergone thorough inspections with no evidence of failure. Additional modifications were made to the seat belts to ensure they met all safety requirements before the ride resumed operations.
The safety of the ride was further confirmed after a comprehensive review by the Fire Marshall, ensuring that all safety features were fully functional and compliant with industry standards before reopening to the public.