Colorado jury awards $205 million after younger lady killed on theme park journey

[ad_1] NEW Now you can take heed to Fox Information articles!

A Colorado jury has ordered a neighborhood theme park and others to pay $205 million to the household of a 6-year-old lady who fell greater than 100 toes to her demise from a journey.

The decision, issued Friday at Garfield County District Court docket, is among the many largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in state historical past.

Wongel Estifanos, from Colorado Springs , was visiting Glenwood Caverns Journey Park together with her household over Labor Day weekend in 2021 when tragedy struck on the Haunted Mine Drop.

Investigation paperwork reviewed by Fox Information Digital reveals Estifanos was not buckled into her seat correctly earlier than the journey began.

9-YEAR-OLD DIES AT HERSHEYPARK'S THE BOARDWALK WATER PARK: 'OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES'

Wongel Estifanos tragically died after falling from a journey at Glenwood Caverns Journey Park. (Rahel Estifanos and Estifanos Dagne)

As an alternative, she was seated on high of still-buckled restraints that had been left by a earlier rider. Though a warning alarm sounded, an operator overrode the system and began the journey, based on the paperwork.

The Haunted Mine Drop, which was the primary drop journey of its variety to plunge riders underground, dropped passengers 110 toes right into a darkened shaft. Riders used to take a seat collectively on a bench-like seat in a dim chamber.

After being secured with seat belts, the lights would exit and the attraction would simulate a ghostly presence sending them plummeting downward in whole darkness.

'TILT' ROLLER COASTER AT CEDAR POINT MALFUNCTIONS FOR 3RD TIME SINCE OPENING, LEAVING RIDERS SUSPENDED IN AIR

The Haunted Mine Drop is proven on this July 2017 file picture at Glenwood Caverns Journey Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (Chelsea Self/Glenwood Springs Publish Impartial through AP, File)

The freefall ended with glowing lanterns illuminating the mine partitions earlier than riders have been introduced again to the loading platform.

Following the 2021 incident, the Haunted Mine Drop was completely closed.

"For 4 lengthy years, Glenwood Caverns has denied fault for the demise of Wongel, who was dropped ten tales to her demise from a journey. Wongel’s mother and father took this case to trial to show what actually occurred and to attempt to save others," Caplis added.

In line with courtroom paperwork, the household’s 2022 lawsuit alleged not solely operator negligence, but in addition that Glenwood Caverns ignored repeated buyer complaints about unsafe practices on the journey.

Investigators additionally concluded that a number of employees errors led to Estifanos’ demise, together with failing to organize the seat belts earlier than boarding started.

GOOGLE ENGINEER, 29, DIES ON YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK TRAIL AFTER FALLING TREE BRANCH STRIKES HER

Wongel Estifanos dropped 10 tales to her demise from a journey at Glenwood Caverns Journey Park. (Rahel Estifanos and Estifanos Dagne)

Glenwood Caverns advertising and marketing director Kimberly Marcum mentioned in an announcement that co-defendant Hovering Eagle Inc. had "manufactured the Haunted Mine Drop with a faulty restraint system that triggered this heartbreaking accident."

Marcum additionally indicated the producer had licensed the attraction as protected regardless of a faulty restraint system.

"Our hearts exit to the household of Wongel Estifanos," Marcum mentioned, whereas stating Glenwood Caverns was "exploring all choices in order that we will try to proceed to function, serve our visitors, and proceed to present again to the group."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Prosecutors declined to pursue legal costs in opposition to Glenwood Caverns, citing challenges in proving manslaughter, however the civil trial gave Estifanos' household its day in courtroom.

"They're grateful to the folks of Garfield County for being so variety to them throughout this lengthy trial," added Caplis in his assertion.

Fox Information Digital additionally contacted Hovering Eagle Inc for remark, however didn't hear again.

Emma Bussey is a breaking information author for Fox Information Digital. Earlier than becoming a member of Fox, she labored at The Telegraph with the U.S. in a single day crew, throughout desks together with overseas, politics, information, sport and tradition.