Disney Park Incidents
There is an undeniable fascination with theme park accidents. There are entire books, blogs, and even YouTube channels dedicated to them. It should be no surprise that with the sheer magnitude of Disney parks, their incident reports take the cake.
Actually, if you google “Disney accidents,” you will get over 800,000 hits.
We’ve shortened the list for you, though. Here are 65 of the most tragic incidents to happen at Disney parks in America.
A Fatal Crushing
On July 8, 1974, an 18-year-old woman named Deborah Gail Stone had recently joined the Disney team after graduating high school. Sadly, not long into her new job, Deborah was fatally crushed after slipping between a revolving wall and a stationary platform inside the America Sings attraction at Disneyland, California.
She was in the wrong place during a ride intermission. It was unclear whether the accident was the result of inadequate training or a misstep.
The ride was closed for two days for clean up and to install additional safety measures.
A Hostage Situation
On September 12, 1992, a 37-year-old man named Allen J Ferris, from Rochester, New York, entered the park after closing and waved a long-barreled firearm at three security guards. He demanded one thing—to see his girlfriend, a Disney employee.
He fired four blasts at the guards and took two guards hostage in a restroom. Authorities eventually showed up and demanded he come out of hiding—which he did. But then the situation escalated when Allen put the piece to his head and took his own life.
A Few Lost Toes
On March 10, 1998, a young five-year-old boy got his foot wedged between a passenger car’s running board and the edge of the platform—causing a serious injury. The ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland in California, was temporarily paused at the time.
Unfortunately, each toe on the boy’s left foot had to be amputated.
HarshLight, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Fatal Derailment
On September 5, 2003, a 22-year-old man named Marcelo Torres was involved in a horrific incident that took place on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland, California.
As the train entered a tunnel, the axle came loose and jammed against a brake section, causing the locomotive to become airborne and hit the ceiling of the tunnel. The locomotive then fell on top of the first passenger car, crushing the victim. Apparently, this was a result of improper maintenance.
Sadly, Marcelo experienced severe blunt-force trauma and extensive internal bleeding, and succumbed to his injuries. 10 other riders were seriously injured as well.
A Coaster Collision
On July 8, 2004, three family members from Colorado suffered serious injuries after a coaster train collided with another one parked at the station.
This was yet another incident that occurred on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland, California.
A lawsuit revealed the park failed to follow proper safety procedures. The ride was then shut down for three weeks as changes to the ride had to be made.
A Broken Leg
On December 21, 2000, a 15-year-old from Arizona broke his leg after it became stuck between a guardrail and the ride car that he was riding in on the Alice in Wonderland attraction at Disneyland, California.
Authorities claimed the boy might have dangled his leg outside the car, causing the injury. The attraction was reopened less than six hours after the investigation began.
A Grabby Little Pig
In 1976, an unidentified woman sued Disney Parks because she claimed that an employee dressed as one of the three little pigs grabbed her and inappropriately touched her chest while shouting, “Mommy! Mommy!”
The woman went on to further claim she gained 50 pounds as a result of the traumatic experience, and sued for $150,000 in damages—but she didn’t win.
The park’s lawyers were able to prove that the costume only had inoperable stub arms—making it impossible for her claims to be accurate.
A Rude Rabbit
In August of 2012, an African American family believed a cast member playing the White Rabbit refused to hug or interact with their six-year-old son for racial reasons. They also claimed that the character interacted with other White and Asian children.
Disney wrote a letter of apology and offered free park passes, but the family decided to sue anyway. The lawsuit was settled a year later.
A Runaway Employee
Within a week of Disneyland’s opening back in July of 1955, a brakeman pulled a switch too soon, causing a derailment and a collision on the Disneyland Railroad.
As soon as the worker realized what he had done, he quietly slipped away, exited the park, and was never seen from again.
Luckily, no injuries were reported, and changes to the ride were made.
When Fumes Led To Flames
On April 4, 2004, at Tomorrowland Station in Disneyland, California, accumulated diesel fumes in the firebox of the Railroad’s Fed Gurley locomotive exploded after its flame suddenly went out. The explosion ejected the engineer, causing serious injuries, and also caused serious burns on the fireman.
Another fire broke out on the Railroad in 2022, resulting in an evacuation. The cause is still under investigation.
A Dragon That Spits Real Fire
On August 22, 2023, during a 10:30pm performance of the Fantasmic! show, the audio-animatronic dragon caught fire—becoming completely engulfed in flames, causing an evacuation.
No injuries were reported, thankfully.
A Brain Hemorrhage
On June 25, 2000, a 23-year-old woman exited the Indiana Jones Adventure ride in Disneyland, complaining of a severe headache. Later that day, she was hospitalized and learned she had suffered a brain hemorrhage—but it got so much worse.
After a daunting hospital stay, the woman passed two months later from a cerebral aneurysm.
The family sued, claiming the woman’s injuries (which amounted to $1.3 million in medical bills) were a result of “violent shaking and stresses imposed by the ride". Disney settled, but we don’t know for how much.
An Inadequate Evacuation
On November 27, 2009, the It’s a Small World Holiday ride broke down with a quadriplegic guest on the ride. The guest became stuck in the ride’s "Goodbye Room" for over 40 minutes before being evacuated, due to his challenging condition.
The guest’s medical conditions were aggravated by the constant Christmas carols blaring during the ordeal, causing more reason to sue.
He was eventually awarded $8,000 as a result of his traumatic experience.
A Fatal Broken Leg
On August 22, 2021, a 66-year-old woman named Joanne Aguilar broke her leg while attempting to exit the Jungle Cruise ride. To make matters worse, her daughters claimed the ride employees were laughing at her when the incident occurred.
Apparently, Joanne had been visiting the park in a wheelchair, but the accessible ride cars were not available at the time. She was told she could ride with her daughters instead.
The worst part is, Joanne was taken to a hospital where she spent nearly two weeks admitted before being transferred to a rehab center. Problems continued to arise with the leg injury and in January 2022, Joanne passed due to septic shock.
A 100-Foot Fall
Back in July of 1959, a 24-year-old Disneyland machinist from Anaheim, California, named Gary Dubach, was inspecting the running gears of the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction when the unthinkable happened.
A bobsled filled with passengers came racing down the track, knocking Gary off the side of the mountain. He fell 100 feet (30 meters)—and miraculously survived. As expected, he did have extensive injuries to his arms, legs, and back, and had to have a bone removal procedure to relieve pressure.
Vamsi, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Teenager’s Bad Decision
In May of 1964, there was another tragic accident on the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction. This time, a young 15-year-old boy named Mark Maples stood up in his seat while the ride was in motion, and fell out. Apparently, his ride companion had helped him undo his seatbelt.
Sadly, the stunt was fatal. Mark passed three days later as a result of his injuries. This was Disneyland’s first fatal incident—but it wasn’t the last.
A Crashing Chandelier
In 1993, in Mickey’s Toontown, a chandelier came crashing down in the Goofy’s Bounce House attraction. 10 children were hit by the chandelier and seen by first aid workers—but luckily, none of them had serious injuries, aside from being absolutely terrified.
The chandelier was not replaced, and the attraction reopened not long later.
Freddo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Explosive Prank
On May 28, 2013, two trash cans in Mickey’s Toontown suddenly exploded, causing the entire area to be immediately evacuated and the boom squad being called in.
Apparently, the blasts were caused by water bottles filled with dry ice that a 22-year-old concession-stand worker named Christian Barnes created from a nearby ice cream stand.
Christian served some time behind bars and was banned for life from anything and everything Disney.
HarshLight, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Fatal Train Accident
In June of 1966, a 19-year-old man named Thomas Guy Cleveland attempted to sneak into the park by climbing onto the Monorail track. A security guard had noticed and frantically attempted to warn Cleveland of the oncoming train—but his efforts were not successful.
Cleveland jumped onto the track seconds before being struck by the train and then was tragically dragged about 40 feet down the track. Sadly, he didn’t survive the incident.
Orange County Archives, Flickr
A Serious Head Injury
In 1978, a 10-year-old girl named Debbie Lopez was apparently struck by an employee in a Winnie the Pooh costume, causing bruising, recurring headaches, and brain damage.
The worker claimed the girl was tugging at the back of his costume and when he turned around, he accidentally struck the girl in her ear—not even realizing he had done it.
After only 21 minutes of deliberation, the jury in the court hearing acquitted him, claiming the costume’s arms were too low to the ground to reach the girl’s height.
A Moving Golf Cart
More recently, in June of 2024, a 60-year-old employee named Bonnye Mavis somehow lost her balance while riding in a moving golf cart nearby the Club 33 Restaurant. Bonnye fell out of the golf cart and hit her head pretty hard off the sidewalk curb.
She was taken to the hospital in “grave condition,” and succumbed to her injuries two days later.
Another Bad Decision
In August of 1967, Ricky Lee Yama, a 15-year-old guest from Hawthorne, California, was riding the PeopleMover with friends when he decided to try jumping from one car to another.
When the PeopleMover entered a tunnel, Yama tried to jump between two of the cars, but he didn’t make it. He fell onto the track where an oncoming train of cars crushed him beneath its wheels and dragged his body a few hundred feet before it came to a complete stop.
Yama did not survive the tragic accident—and this was not the only time this happened.
Another Fatal Jumping Attempt
Eerily enough, in 1980 a very similar incident occurred on the PeopleMover once again. An 18-year-old named Gerardo Gonzales also tried to jump between two cars just as they entered the tunnel.
But, much like Ricky Lee Yama before him, he didn’t make it. Gonzales was fatally crushed and dragged by the moving cars.
WillMcC, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Exit Attempt Gone Wrong
Another PeopleMover incident happened in 1972, when a teenage girl lost her mouse-ears cap while riding. She and her cousin decided to jump onto the tracks to get them, but suddenly found themselves with a quick decision to make. One of the girls jumped onto an oncoming car, but the other girl decided to make a run for the exit instead.
The girl ran through the tunnel and out the exit, but then suddenly fell into a guardrail and down onto a concrete pad about 30 feet (nine meters) below, sustaining serious injuries.
The girl broke her arm, hip, and pelvis, and was put in a body brace with pins inserted in her leg. She also sued Disney for “not providing warnings about the unsafe exit".
A Fall And A Payout
Back in 1977, there was a ride that involved riding pack mules through Nature’s Wonderland. During one of the tours, a mule’s saddle broke, causing a rider to fall off and tumble down a hill, causing serious injuries.
The rider sued Disney and was awarded $142,000—the largest settlement against Disneyland at that time—and the ride permanently closed.
A Tragic Drowning
On June 20, 1973, an 18-year-old New York man and his 10-year-old brother stayed on Tom Sawyer's Island past closing time by hiding in an area that is off-limits to guests. When they decided to leave, they tried to swim across the river—but the younger boy didn’t know how to swim.
The older brother tried to carry his little brother on his back, but tragically drowned when he got about halfway and was too tired to keep his head above water.
Somehow, the younger brother managed to stay afloat doing the doggy-paddle until a ride operator happened to notice him.
The 18-year-old’s body was found late the following day after an extensive search.
BeenAroundAWhile, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Grad Night Gone Wrong
In June of 1983, a group of high school graduates went on a trip to Disneyland. Two of the teens—who had been secretly drinking—got into some trouble when they took an emergency rubber boat from Tom Sawyer’s Island.
On their way back from the island, the boat struck a rock and sent both teens overboard. One of the boys swam to shore, but when his friend never showed up, he decided to get help.
Sadly, 18-year-old Phil Straughan drowned during the ordeal.
deror_avi, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Lost Finger
In 2001, a small six-year-old girl somehow lost two-thirds of her left index finger while playing with a toy rifle mounted on a turret on Fort Wilderness on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It was believed she got her finger stuck and then her feet slipped, causing her to fall, and ripping her fingers from her hand.
The girl was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, they were unable to reattach her finger.
Katie Rommel-Esham, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Tragic Child Accident That Led To Big Changes
On September 22, 2000, a four-year-old boy named Brandon Sucker fell out of the ride vehicle on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin and was dragged underneath the car, causing serious internal injuries, cardiac arrest, and brain damage.
Apparently, five entire minutes passed between the time the boy fell out of the ride and when emergency personnel were contacted. And the fall was a result of the lap belt malfunctioning, as well as the child being placed in the wrong seat for his size, way too close to the opening.
Brandon suffered for years, with a constant need for medical care, and ended up passing a few years later.
A Fatal Head Injury
On Christmas eve in 1998, a 30-year-old cast member and two park guests were suddenly struck by a heavy metal cleat that had come loose from the hull of the Sailing Ship Columbia attraction—during the ride.
One of the guests, a 33-year-old man, took a major blow to the head and didn’t survive. The other two victims sustained severe injuries.
Disney received an onslaught of criticism for this incident and a whole slew of changes were made introducing new procedures and training. They also got a hefty fine and settled a lawsuit with the victim’s family for an estimated $25 million.
A 20-Foot Fall…And A Lie
In 1994, a 30-year-old man fell 20 feet (six meters) from a gondola car while riding the Skyway—landing in a tree.
He was treated for minor injuries, and then filed a lawsuit claiming he had fallen out of the ride. But just before the trial date, the man admitted to jumping out on purpose, and the lawsuit was dropped.
A Paralyzing Fall
In 1983, another Space Mountain incident occurred. An 18-year-old named James Higgins fell from the ride and was found unconscious under the tracks. He ended up with brain damage and paralyzed from the waist down.
James sued Disney for $7 million, but after an extensive nine-day trial, he got nothing. Disney proved James had been drinking too much and was showing off for friends when he fell out of the ride.
Benjamin D. Esham, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Severed Fingers
In March of 2005, a four-year-old boy broke a finger and severed the tip of his thumb when he got them crushed between the boat and the dock at Storybook Land Canal Boats.
The accident was investigated and Disney had to make changes to the bumpers and dock to prevent this accident from happening again.
A Fatal Fall
On April 22, 2003, a 36-year-old stage technician fell 60 feet (18 meters) from a catwalk in the Hyperion Theater. Sadly, he remained in a coma until his passing a month later.
As a result, Disney was fined for safety violations.
Bernard Spragg, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
A Roller Coaster Crash
In July of 2005, 25 guests were injured when the purple coaster on Incredicoaster rear-ended the red coaster. 15 of the injured guests were taken to hospital as a result.
Stranded Guests
In 2011, 23 people were rescued by firefighters from the Incredicoaster after a guest’s backpack fell out of the car and landed on the track. No one was injured, but they were stranded for a while.
In 2016, two similar events happened when a selfie-stick fell onto the tracks, and when a purse fell onto the tracks.
Selfie-sticks have since been banned at Disney parks, and bags are supposed to be kept on dock.
An Altercation
On February 18, 2012, a too-tipsy guest took his frustrations out on an employee at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror’s entrance gate.
After the 53-year-old man failed to stop his attack, the employee pepper-sprayed him multiple times. Finally, other guests intervened to subdue the man.
The man was charged, and the incident was filmed on several phones and uploaded to YouTube.
Alexf, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Intentional Jump
In September of 1994, a 76-year-old man willingly jumped to his demise from a ninth-floor balcony of the Disneyland Hotel.
This was the first intentional loss of life to be committed at the Disneyland Resort, but it wasn’t the last. There had been several other similar cases at Disney parks.
Orange County Archives, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Balcony Hopper
In July of 1996, a 23-year-old man—who was not a hotel guest—had been seen climbing over several balconies on different floors. But when he got to the 14th floor, he went down.
It is unknown whether he had jumped or lost his footing and fell, but sadly, he didn’t survive the impact.
Sam Howzit (aloha75), CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Pinch and a Blade
On March 7, 1981, an 18-year-old man supposedly pinched a woman’s rear end in Tomorrowland—and her boyfriend was not happy about it.
The 28-year-old boyfriend went after the guy with a blade, and ended up taking the guy’s life.
A Fatal Bus Accident
On September 14, 1985, a seven-year-old girl was walking through the Disneyland parking lot with her uncle, looking for his car, when she fell under a moving charter bus.
The girl’s little body was badly crushed beneath the wheels, and she didn’t survive.
Orange County Archives, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Fatal Brawl
On March 7, 1987, a confrontation broke out between rival group members before escalating into a full-on brawl. During the fight, a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot in the Disneyland parking lot.
Multiple charges were laid, and an 18-year-old was held responsible for the boy’s demise.
A Docking Mistake
On December 27, 2002, a ferryboat collided with the dock at the Transportation and Ticket Center after the captain put the engines in reverse too late, and was unable to stop the boat in time.
Eight people were injured in the collision.
A Boat Collision
In April of 2010, a 61-year-old woman was seriously injured after the rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat.
The husband was ultimately to blame, and the woman suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a back injury as a result.
Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Fatal Train Mistake
On July 5, 2009, during a failed track switchover from the Epcot line onto the Magic Kingdom express line, Monorail Pink backed into Monorail Purple at the Transportation and Ticket Center station.
The force of the collision was so severe that it took the life of the Monorail Purple's pilot, 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg. One other employee and six guests were treated for injuries.
A Tragic Fall
On June 12, 1982, a one-year-old little girl from Iowa fell out of the Parking Lot Tram when it made a sudden turn in the parking lot leading to the Magic Kingdom.
Sadly, the baby didn’t survive the fall.
Thomas photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Loss Of Consciousness
Apparently, several instances of guests losing consciousness on the Avatar Flight of Passage ride have been reported. As a result, the attraction installed warning cards for riders before entering the ride.
The cards are similar to those on Mission: Space and warn riders about fear of heights, motion sickness, and the seating restraints.
Freddo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Heart Attack
In April of 2005, a 20-year-old man from Indiana lost consciousness shortly after getting off the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground from a fatal heart attack.
The man had a pre-existing condition and had an artificial pace-maker, so Disney was not held responsible.
A Dangerous Escape
On May 29, 2007, five guests and one cast member were required to unexpectedly exit the Kali River Rapids attraction after a monitoring sensor stopped the ride.
The raft was on a steep incline at the time, making the emergency exit absolutely terrifying. But if that’s not enough, the platform they were stepping onto “disengaged and slid,” causing all six people to fall.
Luckily, no one perished in the horrific accident, but they were all taken to the hospital with injuries.
Loadmaster (David R. Tribble), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Brain Injury
On November 29, 2007, a 63-year-old cast member fell from a restricted area of the Primeval Whirl ride platform. She was then hit by a ride vehicle, sustaining a severe brain injury.
Sadly, the woman succumbed to her injuries four days later. Disney was handed a $25,500 fine and charged with several safety violations as a result.
Jackie, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Unresponsive Child
On June 29, 2006, a young 12-year-old boy from Kentucky was found unresponsive after the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride ended.
His father performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but sadly he was declared unalive on the way to the hospital. An autopsy reported that the boy had an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.
gardener41, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Intracranial Bleeding
On July 12, 2005, a 16-year-old girl from the United Kingdom complained of a headache and other symptoms after riding the Tower of Terror (several times). She was taken to hospital in critical condition, where she then had surgery for intracranial bleeding.
A month later she was flown home to the UK where she then experienced several more medical issues, including strokes and cardiac arrest. She spent a total of six months in hospital.
A Young Tragedy
In May of 1995, a four-year-old little girl lost consciousness while on the Body Wars ride. The ride was instantly stopped and the girl was given medical attention, but sadly, she didn’t make it.
The girl had a known heart condition, but the autopsy was inconclusive as to whether the ride had aggravated it.
Edward Russell, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Eerie Occurrence
Over the course of a year, from June 2005 to June 2006, paramedics were allegedly called for 194 Mission: Space riders. Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting were the most common complaints, according to Reedy Creek Fire Department records.
Out of the 194 riders, 25 people fainted, 26 had difficulty breathing, and 16 reported irregular heartbeats or chest pain.
DearCatastropheWaitress, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Plane Crash
In 1984, a family traveling from South Carolina to Florida for a Disney World vacation lost their lives when the small plane they were flying in crashed while attempting an emergency landing in the Epcot parking lot.
A husband, wife, and their one-year-old daughter perished, and two other children were severely injured.
A Pond Crash
In 1986, two bodies—a 33-year-old man and woman—were found floating in a retention pond. Authorities believe they lost control of their car during a heavy rainstorm several days earlier.
It was believed the couple tried to escape through the windows as the car sank into the six-foot-deep water.
A Mysterious Fire
On August 18, 2018, a 49-year-old man named Brian Christ was found unalive inside a burning car near Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course.
The authorities said the circumstances were “not suspicious,” but also wouldn’t give a cause for the blaze, or an exact cause for the man’s demise.
Another Drowning
On August 11, 1977, a four-year-old boy from Illinois drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle.
The boy was with a large group of family members when he wandered away around 11:00 pm. The family frantically searched for hours, before a diver finally located the boy’s body in the moat around 2:00 am.
The moat’s only protection at the time was a short fence, bringing about a lawsuit that awarded the family $1.5 million.
A Fatal Mistake
On November 5, 2000, a 37-year-old man from Florida felt sick while riding Splash Mountain and tried to exit the ride at one of the marked emergency exits. He was disoriented and lost his footing, and was struck by the following ride vehicle.
The man was severely injured and taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Cd637, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Burning Snack
On March 1, 2010, a four-year-old boy from San Diego suffered serious face and neck burns after being scalded by a tray of hot nacho cheese.
After the family brought over the fresh tray of nachos at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, the boy took a seat in an unstable chair, and grabbed onto the tray for balance. The tray then fell into his lap, spewing extremely hot cheese onto his face.
The family sued Disney, claiming the cheese should not have been that hot. Disney settled in court for an undetermined amount.
A Water Slide Drowning
On August 9, 1982, a 14-year-old boy rode down a 60-foot (18-meter) water slide in Disney’s Fort Wilderness. The boy took on too much water while on the slide, and by the time he reached the bottom, he was lifeless.
It took five minutes before lifeguards noticed the boy’s body floating in the water at the receiving end of the slide.
Derek Hatfield, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Alligator Attack
In October of 1986, an eight-year-old boy was attacked by an alligator when he and his siblings were wandering near the lake’s edge while watching ducks.
Then, in 2016, a two-year-old boy named Lane Graves was also attacked by an alligator. His parents were not able to retrieve the boy from the gator’s grips, and sadly, he was pulled into the water.
Jackdude101, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Horrific Car Crash
On April 12, 2015, a 36-year-old driving instructor was fatally injured when the driver lost control of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera he was driving as part of Disney’s Exotic Driving Experience.
The driver crashed into a guardrail, which may have been because the vehicles were run clockwise, instead of counter-clockwise like the track was designed for. Unlike his instructor, the driver walked away with minor injuries.
A Fatal Sickness
On August 14, 1979, a 31-year-old woman became sick after riding Space Mountain. She wasn’t able to get herself out of the vehicle at the end of the ride, so employees told her to stay seated while they had the car removed from the track so they could safely assist her—but one employee didn’t get the message.
The sick woman was unintentionally sent around the track for a second ride, and the result was devastating. When the car arrived back at the unloading dock the woman was barely conscious. She was immediately taken to the hospital where she remained in a coma for a week before passing.
Apparently, the woman had a heart tumor that dislodged and made its way to her brain. The park was not held liable for the incident.
A Decapitation
In 1984, a 48-year-old woman named Dollie Regena Young was riding the Matterhorn Bobsled ride when she was unexpectedly thrown from her seat, landing on the tracks below.
Witnesses in the car following hers said they saw Dollie attempt to get up on her feet moments before their car struck her at high-speed—instantly decapitating her.
The passengers in the car were a father and his two young daughters. The father said he only had seconds to tell his kids to look away before the horrific accident occurred directly in front of their eyes.
An investigation ensued but it was unclear whether her seatbelt was improperly secured, or whether it had malfunctioned during the ride.
This incident is said to be one of Disney's most disturbing accidents.
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