Dark Disney: Tragic Disney Park Incidents
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.
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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.
