Ride Malfunction at Saudi Amusement Park Injures 23

Recent social media footage has captured a frightening incident at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia, where a “360 degree” ride malfunctioned, resulting in injuries to at least 23 people. Reports indicate that three of those injured sustained serious injuries.

The video reveals a pendulum ride in motion when suddenly, the central component breaks, causing it to collide with one of the support beams and crash to the ground. What began as cheers from the riders quickly transformed into screams of terror as the ride collapsed.

According to witnesses, injuries occurred as the poles of the boarding area recoiled rapidly on the opposite side. Some riders were injured while still seated on the ride, as detailed by a report from Khaleej Times, a publication based in Dubai.

Emergency services rushed to the scene to assist, and an investigation into the malfunction was initiated. Various hospitals in Taif managed to treat those affected, with Khaleej Times reporting a Code Yellow emergency status due to the influx of patients.

While malfunctions on amusement park rides are relatively rare, they do happen. For example, in November 2023, a rider at Universal Studios in Orlando found themselves stuck in a vertical position for nearly an hour after a roller coaster malfunctioned.

A similar incident occurred in the UK in December 2022 when a slingshot rider hit a support beam due to a faulty cord, though thankfully, no injuries were reported in that case. Experts noted a general decline in amusement park accidents, with reports suggesting fewer incidents each year.

Jakob Wahl, a representative from the global association of attraction industry leaders, mentioned that North America has consistently lowered injury rates per million visitors over the last two decades. In 2023, only 8% of reported injuries were classified as severe, marking a notable decrease from the previous year.