• Cedar Point Amusement Park, in Sandusky, Ohio is permanently closing the world’s second-tallest roller coaster. AP
    Cedar Point Amusement Park, in Sandusky, Ohio is permanently closing the world’s second-tallest roller coaster. AP
  • Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster in in Sandusky, Ohio, May 2003. AP
    Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster in in Sandusky, Ohio, May 2003. AP
  • Objectif Mars is a steel multi-launched spinning coaster at Futuroscope in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France. AFP
    Objectif Mars is a steel multi-launched spinning coaster at Futuroscope in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France. AFP
  • Objectif Mars combines elements of a dark ride and educational technology to simulate a training session and mission to Mars. AFP
    Objectif Mars combines elements of a dark ride and educational technology to simulate a training session and mission to Mars. AFP
  • The out-of-service roller coaster at Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet hotel in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    The out-of-service roller coaster at Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet hotel in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Thirty-one people were injured, one seriously, when two roller coaster trains crashed in Legoland theme park in Guenzburg, southern Germany, Bavarian police said last month. AFP
    Thirty-one people were injured, one seriously, when two roller coaster trains crashed in Legoland theme park in Guenzburg, southern Germany, Bavarian police said last month. AFP
  • The Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller-coaster at Shanghai Disneyland in China. Bloomberg
    The Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller-coaster at Shanghai Disneyland in China. Bloomberg
  • Queen Margrethe of Denmark takes a ride on a roller coaster with Susanne Morch Koch, director of the Tivoli amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. AFP
    Queen Margrethe of Denmark takes a ride on a roller coaster with Susanne Morch Koch, director of the Tivoli amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. AFP
  • The Smiler roller coaster at Alton Towers theme park in Alton, UK. Bloomberg
    The Smiler roller coaster at Alton Towers theme park in Alton, UK. Bloomberg
  • Running everything from hotels to roller coasters and circuses is getting tougher as the economy deteriorates and people have less to spend. Bloomberg
    Running everything from hotels to roller coasters and circuses is getting tougher as the economy deteriorates and people have less to spend. Bloomberg
  • The Ferrari World roller coaster VR tour at the Abu Dhabi Arabian Travel Market at yje Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Ferrari World roller coaster VR tour at the Abu Dhabi Arabian Travel Market at yje Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Celestial projections greet queueing to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster during a preview event at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. AP
    Celestial projections greet queueing to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster during a preview event at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. AP
  • A family at a fun fair during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
    A family at a fun fair during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
  • After the closure of the Feria de Chapultepec amusement park in Mexico City, Mexico in October 2019 after an accident that killed two people, authorities began with the removal of the roller coaster to start the Aztlan Park project. EPA
    After the closure of the Feria de Chapultepec amusement park in Mexico City, Mexico in October 2019 after an accident that killed two people, authorities began with the removal of the roller coaster to start the Aztlan Park project. EPA
  • An aerial view of the roller coaster being dismantled at Feria de Chapultepec amusement park, in Mexico City. EPA
    An aerial view of the roller coaster being dismantled at Feria de Chapultepec amusement park, in Mexico City. EPA
  • The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar
    The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar
  • Dubai's newest mall features an amazing roller coaster. Photo: Andy Scott
    Dubai's newest mall features an amazing roller coaster. Photo: Andy Scott
  • A roller coaster in Kabul, Afghanistan, in February, 2022. AP
    A roller coaster in Kabul, Afghanistan, in February, 2022. AP
  • A roller coaster in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP
    A roller coaster in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP
  • Roller coaster riders on De Baron at the Efteling amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands. EPA
    Roller coaster riders on De Baron at the Efteling amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands. EPA
  • Riders stranded on a roller coaster at Universal Studios Japan after a power failure in Osaka, Japan, October 2021. Reuters
    Riders stranded on a roller coaster at Universal Studios Japan after a power failure in Osaka, Japan, October 2021. Reuters
  • Ferrari World Formula Rossa roller coaster bathed in green light to mark the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day. Victor Besa / The National
    Ferrari World Formula Rossa roller coaster bathed in green light to mark the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day. Victor Besa / The National
  • The fastest roller coaster in the world is at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    The fastest roller coaster in the world is at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A roller coaster under construction at Motiongate at Dubai Parks and Resorts in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A roller coaster under construction at Motiongate at Dubai Parks and Resorts in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The fastest roller coaster in the world at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, 2012. Christopher Pike / The National
    The fastest roller coaster in the world at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, 2012. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Tschuggen Express, a small train that looks like a posh roller coaster, zips past the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, Switzerland. Photo: Leading Hotels of the World
    The Tschuggen Express, a small train that looks like a posh roller coaster, zips past the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, Switzerland. Photo: Leading Hotels of the World
  • The Flying Aces roller coaster in Abu Dhabi has the world’s steepest and fastest cable lift, at 51 degrees and 30 kilometres per hour, and the world’s tallest inverted loop, at 52 metres. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Flying Aces roller coaster in Abu Dhabi has the world’s steepest and fastest cable lift, at 51 degrees and 30 kilometres per hour, and the world’s tallest inverted loop, at 52 metres. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Turbo Track, the newest roller coaster at Ferrari World, rises to 64 metres above Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
    Turbo Track, the newest roller coaster at Ferrari World, rises to 64 metres above Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
  • Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world. Photo: Christopher Pike / The National
    Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world. Photo: Christopher Pike / The National
  • Rogo's Restaurant in Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where food is delivered on a roller coaster that spins around the restaurant. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
    Rogo's Restaurant in Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where food is delivered on a roller coaster that spins around the restaurant. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
  • Visitors on Flying Aces, a roller coaster at Ferrari World. Christopher Pike / The National
    Visitors on Flying Aces, a roller coaster at Ferrari World. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi has the world’s longest, fastest tornado waterslide, the region’s first looping waterslide and the world’s first interactive water and laser roller coaster. Photo: Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
    Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi has the world’s longest, fastest tornado waterslide, the region’s first looping waterslide and the world’s first interactive water and laser roller coaster. Photo: Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
  • Japanese women on a roller coaster during their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony at an amusement park in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
    Japanese women on a roller coaster during their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony at an amusement park in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
  • Smurfs Village Express at Motiongate Dubai. Photo: Motiongate Dubai
    Smurfs Village Express at Motiongate Dubai. Photo: Motiongate Dubai
  • Staff at Yas Waterworld giving a demo at the Bandit Bomber roller coaster for media at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Staff at Yas Waterworld giving a demo at the Bandit Bomber roller coaster for media at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

World

US

World's second-tallest rollercoaster is closing permanently

A year ago, a small metal object flew off the 128-metre tall Top Thrill Dragster ride and struck a woman in the head

AP

September 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

An amusement park in Ohio announced on Tuesday it would be permanently closing the world’s second-tallest rollercoaster.

The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 128-metre tall Top Thrill Dragster ride and struck a woman in the head at the park in Sandusky.

A state investigation found no evidence that the park acted illegally or had reason to believe the ride was unsafe.

Amusement park visitors ride Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster in Sandusky, Ohio, in May 2003. AP
Amusement park visitors ride Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster in Sandusky, Ohio, in May 2003. AP

The ride has remained closed since the August 15, 2021 accident. Park officials did not say if the accident influenced their decision to permanently close the rollercoaster, which has operated for 19 years and carried 18 million riders.

In a statement announcing the closure, the park noted it “legacy of ride innovation continues. Our team is hard at work, creating a new and reimagined ride experience”.

It said more details about its plans would be disclosed in the future.

The Kingda Ka rollercoaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey, is considered the world's tallest, with a 139-metre elevation.

Desolate Turkish amusement park — in pictures

  • Crumbling model dinosaurs at the abandoned Wonderland Eurasia theme park near the Turkish capital of Ankara. AFP
    Crumbling model dinosaurs at the abandoned Wonderland Eurasia theme park near the Turkish capital of Ankara. AFP
  • The former attraction opened in March 2019 with the ambition of being 'Europe's largest theme park' but shut down within a year. AFP
    The former attraction opened in March 2019 with the ambition of being 'Europe's largest theme park' but shut down within a year. AFP
  • Wonderland Eurasia, previously known as Ankapark, has been left to rot since. Reuters
    Wonderland Eurasia, previously known as Ankapark, has been left to rot since. Reuters
  • The park had 17 roller coasters, the second-most worldwide. It was closed permanently in February 2020. AFP
    The park had 17 roller coasters, the second-most worldwide. It was closed permanently in February 2020. AFP
  • Political turmoil, uneven ride quality and a lack of attendance caused the massive park to close its doors after less than a year of operation. AFP
    Political turmoil, uneven ride quality and a lack of attendance caused the massive park to close its doors after less than a year of operation. AFP
  • Abandoned dinosaur statues. AFP
    Abandoned dinosaur statues. AFP
  • The project, built by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, cost hundreds of millions of dollars. AFP
    The project, built by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, cost hundreds of millions of dollars. AFP
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had delivered a rousing speech at the opening ceremony of Wonderland Eurasia, but now even this lion looks fed up with his lot. AFP
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had delivered a rousing speech at the opening ceremony of Wonderland Eurasia, but now even this lion looks fed up with his lot. AFP
  • Wonderland Eurasia theme park is left to gather dust. AFP
    Wonderland Eurasia theme park is left to gather dust. AFP
  • This dinosaur has lost much of its ferocity. AFP
    This dinosaur has lost much of its ferocity. AFP
  • The much-vaunted theme park has been reduced to its bare bones. AFP
    The much-vaunted theme park has been reduced to its bare bones. AFP
  • What remains of the site is an eyesore. Reuters
    What remains of the site is an eyesore. Reuters
Updated: June 20, 2023, 8:47 AM
US