Accidents Involving Injury at Six Flags New England

Official U.S. federal and state data on theme park accidents is almost nonexistent. That's why Theme Park Insider users are creating this visitor-maintained database of theme park accidents--to give public at least some information about attraction safety records.

Do you know of, or have been part of, an accident involving injury at Six Flags New England? Report it to Theme Park Insider.

Verified Incidents

5/1/2004 - Superman Ride of Steel - Submitted by thenemesis97 on 5/1/2004

A 55 year old man fell out of S:ROS at about 3 p.m. today as the ride was approaching the end of its run, according to a statement from the park. The man, whose identity wasnot immediately released, was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and pronounced dead at about 3:45. The ride is closed pending an investigation by the park and Agawam, Mass. police. The Mass. Department of Public Safety, which oversees rides in the state, was also notified.

Click here if you have additional information.

Follow-up:
The man had cerebral palsy and needed to be transported in a scooter. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Northeast/05/01/coaster.death.ap/index.html] -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 5/2/2004

According to Boston Herald, 5/5/04 page 5, the man "was prohibited from getting on the Superman ride last year...He was really ticked off,". This was reported by his identical twin brother. -- Submitted by DAVSHE on 5/3/2004

Wait...today is 5/3/04. How can the Boston Herald have a 5/5/04 issue if 5/5/04 hasn't happened yet? -- Submitted by thenemesis97 on 5/3/2004

A member at our church was on the ride when the accident happened. She told me the man's arm was severed while trying to hang on. There were people trying to help him as well. It took a few minuits before the opperators to realized what happened, and then a few more for help to arrive. She told me there were other people on the ride as well as him that were not restrained properly. She was later questioned by the police. -- Submitted by cmkohnle on 5/4/2004

On May 6, the Boston Globe reported that witnesses were saying that ride operators failed to check the restraints. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.boston.com/dailynews/127/region/Witnesses_amusement_park_emplo:.shtml] -- Submitted by reikiflowers on 5/6/2004

As a result of this accident the Department of Occupation and Safety here in California has shut down Xcelerator at Knott's Berry and Superman at Six Flags Magic Mountain, because they use the same type of restraints, they will be closed until different types of restraints are installed. [For more information about this incident, visit http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/060204ap_nw_coasters.html ] -- Submitted by petsya on 6/3/2004

"Superman, Ride of Steel" reopened Memorial Day weekend with a redesigned restraint system and tighter procedures for making sure every rider is properly restrained. I rode Superman with my two daughters May 29. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.masslive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1085816780182612.xml?nnts] -- Submitted by gdelisle on 6/7/2004

I was in the park at the time but I was having my harness secured for a ride on Batman:The Dark Knight when a child ran in and told everyone there was an accident and a man fell out of S:ROS. The ride attendant said this would never happen and called down to the main office. She then lied to us saying nothing had ahppened. The worst part of this ordeal was S:ROS was closed foer the rest of the day and I had only ridden in 2X that day. -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 3/31/2005

The Boston Channel's latest report is here, with a link to the report from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It lays the blame on Six Flags ride operators, Intamin, and Mr. Mordarsky. [For more information about this incident, visit http://http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/3279162/detail.html] -- Submitted by reikiflowers on 5/7/2004

I was at the park when it happened. When it did, we were at the opposite side of the park. We got back to the superhero area and saw the sign that the coaster was closed and we were wondering why. Someone overheard us and told us a little boy had fallen off and lost an arm because he was too small for the ride. I don't know who started the rumor but then we got home and saw it on the news. We were all really scared. [For more information about this incident, visit http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=17345] -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 5/1/2004

I was on line for the ride at the time of the accident. I didn't see the incident but I was told by someone as the ride was shut down and we were going out they saw them putting the body into a blue body bag while still under the ride. The news agencies are reporting he was pronounced dead at the hospital 45 minutes later, in fact he died immediately. -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 5/1/2004

I represent the family of the person who died on the ride. I would like for ANYONE who witnessed this to contact me at 860.769.6938 = we need witnesses to help us understand exacly what happened - I have the namesof the 3 people around him - but if you rode that day or were in line - PLEASE help this family - thank you. -- Submitted by erisajd on 7/23/2004

I have just recently rode that same ride, and I noticed that outside every coaster entrance, including the SROS, there is a demo seat that people are supposed to sit in to see if they fit right for the ride. Riders should heed to these safety precautions. Also, the SROS now has loads of safety signs up for rules, all through out the ride line. It's not only up to the ride operator, it's up to the rider to ask for help when they don't know how to buckle up, or use a harness. The operators are right there, wave them down. -- Submitted by aprildot on 7/13/2008

First train returned to station and hit the second train which had yet to leave the station, sending 22 people to area hospitals with minor injuries.

For more information about this incident, visit http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010806/us/roller_coaster_crash_2.html

Click here if you have additional information.

A raft on this ride capsized, trapping eight people underwater. Injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to near drowning.

Click here if you have additional information.

Follow-up:
Wasn't there, but live in the area, and heard about it. Included URL of confirming news story. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/august99/stories/080999_02.shtml] -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 7/12/2002

An investigation found that the riders were trying to rock their raft. -- Submitted by dizzle on 4/15/2005

Unverified Reports

We saw a girl pulled from the pool at the bottom of the water slides, she was pale. Overheard staff say her foot got caught in handle, and couldn't remove it because it was dark in the tunnel/slide. Unsure if she recovered. She was taken away in an ambulance. Curious to know if she made it. Sure hope so!

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

My name is Aaron Westfall and I am 5 foot 2 inches.When I rode the Cyclone my butt kept coming off the seat too much and my bar came up and it was too rough to ride.I did like it butt it was to rough and Im susprised that I didn't fall out

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

Follow-up:
The first time I went on cyclone was the last time for me. It's just a regular rollercoaster but it's the scariest one I've ever been on! It's old and makes a lot of creeky bad noises. It whips around the corners and I even got bruises on my hips from hitting the sides of the car on the corners. Then when we went over a hill, my butt lifted completely off the seat! I'll never go on that ride again! -- Submitted by Leasweetie on 11/29/2005

I am not a fan of wooden coasters, and this was by far the worst. It's too old and rickety. I suffered whiplash after riding and will never ride again. -- Submitted by amberly05 on 6/22/2007

The Superman Ride of Steel's generic name is Mega Coaster, and it's produced by Intamin AG of Switzerland. Intamin AG's restraining system for their rides are usually not very good. Since 1999, their rides have caused 5 fatalities (Including the 16-year-old-girl from England who died on their 'Hydro' ride) The man who died on the Superman was David Mordarsky (Age 55); he had cerebal palsy and needed a scooter to get around, but due to a disability act, Six Flags was required by law to let him on the ride because he could enter the ride on his own. Rides with T-Bar restraints are temporarily unable to run in Massachusetts until they've been through a lot of testing. Anyway, while Six Flags has reportedly apologised a lot to the man's family, Intamin AG has failed to show any sympathy; I've read that they told the family that accidents cannot be prevented, and they also said they had trouble judging how many faitalities were a fair amount. A good friend works Security at Six Flags, New England. To date, he says the area where the man fell is pretty bloody, and an investigation is still pending. Six Flags is said to have a press release ready by the end of this week.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

Follow-up:
I was on the superman ride of steel when the man fell out of the ride. He was over weight and was driving a scooter around as soon as the man hit the ground there was blood everywhere. After falling from the ride the man hit one of the tracks and was already dead. I was had to answear questions from police and news crews. Even though this happened i will still go on the ride once it opens again if it does -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 5/16/2004

To further clarify... [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/05/07/coaster_riders_question_safety_steps/] -- Submitted by DorkySka on 5/7/2004

If you have additional information that can confirm, clarify or refute any of these reports, please e-mail the editor! (Please don't forget to include the attraction's name in your message.)

Search Theme Park Insider

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States/Canada Top 20 ^*

• Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
• Disneyland
• Epcot
• Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Universal Studios Florida
• SeaWorld Orlando
• Disney's California Adventure
• Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Busch Gardens Tampa
• SeaWorld San Diego
• Knott's Berry Farm
• Canada's Wonderland
• Cedar Point
• Kings Island
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Hersheypark
• Six Flags Great Adventure
• Six Flags Great America
• ^* By 2008 attendance

Other U.S. parks

• Holiday World
• Kings Dominion
• Legoland California
• Silver Dollar City
• Six Flags Magic Mountain

International parks

• Tokyo Disneyland
• Disneyland Paris
• Tokyo DisneySea
• Universal Studios Japan
• Hong Kong Disneyland

Water parks

• Aquatica
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

Theme Park Insider on Twitter

• Subscribe to our Twitter feed
• Become a fan on Facebook
• Watch our videos on YouTube

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

• How to plan your vacation on a budget
• Theme Park Insider's 'four-hour' tour plans
• How to stay safe when visiting theme parks
• What's under construction for 2009/10
• TPI at the Tournament of Roses Parade

Theme Park News Archive

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004-2005