The Superman: Tower of Power at Kentucky Kingdom (park then operating as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) was an Intamin Giant Drop model, nearly identical to the one at Six Flags St. Louis. Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings The ride cannot be stopped once the carriage begins to drop. afternoon at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville. She was riding the Superman Tower of Power when a frayed cable snapped, hitting the girl's legs and severing both of them above her ankle. The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops them nearly the same distance at speeds reaching 54 miles per hour. ASix Flags Kentucky Kingdom spokesperson told us they inspect each ride every day before the park opens, and officials released the following statement late Thursday afternoon. At night the ride is illuminated by various lights that change color and can be seen for miles. Source: The. Then, like, the cable broke and I heard a lot of people screaming," Chris Stinnett, who was at a ride next to the Tower of Power, told CNN affiliate WDRB/WMYO-TV in Louisville. It opened in 1995 as the first ride of its kind. Kaitlyn Lassiter was reriding After Superman: Tower of Power removed a girls feet on june 21st 2007 many were quick to blame the rides manufacture. Passengers drop 154 feet at 54 mph, stopping "just 20 terrifying feet above the pavement," it adds. The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops 154 feet, reaching a speed of 54 miles per hour according to the park's Web site. According to Six Flags officials no one else was hurt. The theme park says it's trying Story and pictures provided by WAVE3 Raycom Media. Kaitlyn Lassiter was having a fun day at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom with two of her friends when the unthinkable happened. This 30 foot tower will lift them high into the sky and gently back down to the ground. Once completed, there is a brief pause and the riders are then launched up the tower (Space Shot) then slow just before reaching the top. The ride originally opened at Six Flags Astroworld (Houston, Texas) as. The cart is then released from the brakes, and the riders are dropped giving them the second and final experience of weightlessness. "The cable went under the car -- and I seen it pull up and hit a lot of people -- and I seen them bring their legs up," he said. "We are not confirming that happened," McLean said. That could have been all of us.". "I seen the car go up. Williams' daughter had traded seats with the 13-year-old, and was sitting on the other side of the ride. "We'll wait and see.". Treva Smith said it snapped again as the ride descended. The ride was closed on June 22, 2007 after the accident occurred on the Kentucky Kingdom location. During the Tower of Power ride, passengers are hoisted aloft, suspended momentarily, then pulled down, according to the park's Web site. It was the same thing, just the cable broke.". In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and of course - Netflix and chill! Although the tower is not as tall as some of the other rides at the park, it is still one of the most popular attractions. And she was just there, calm, probably in shock from everything.". The The original name for this ride was "Hellevator", but it was renamed "Superman: Tower of Power" in 2007 and received a fresh coat of paint at the top of the ride. They also dried out the cable to stop it from slipping, causing more wear and tear.https://www.wflx.com/story/6698454/update-girls-feet-amputated-while-riding-six-flags-ride/-Witness statement stating inaccuracies in witness statement and disproving cable around neck theory.https://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2\u0026t=51557\u0026hilit=storm+chaser\u0026start=680-Pics of the cable.Videos Used:Giant Drop SFGAm Controls Explained sfgamfan: https://youtu.be/RF-_qie3KloGiant Drop Off Ride: https://youtu.be/ElWS4fi975gNL2 Drop tower made by SirMaverick34's: https://nolimitscentral.com/forum/topic/82 \u0026 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=824582232Carowinds drop tower 1080p: https://youtu.be/ISzan_z_1ekAP interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTxWRUE7zwUDiscord Users who provided Photos/videos:Phantom Coasters: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicXLCdy9BqaqQvtvy5PlTgAlton Towers FanboyStagearooJoin our discord: https://discord.gg/k3Dc2qAGP Video Used: http://youtube.com/watch?v=szBcETiXbgQ\u0026t=395s Thus, the Lasitters weren't at the park when Kaitlyn and her friends climbed aboard the Superman Tower of Power, a ride that lifts passengers 177 feet into the air, followed by a. However, in Six Flags amusement parks, Superman is often depicted as being significantly taller than both of these estimates, sometimes towering over 10 feet tall. While riding a free-fall ride called the Superman: Tower of Power at Six Flags in 2007, a 13-year-old girl suffered a freak accident that resulted in her feet being cut off. In reality had the ride operators done their job this accident could have been prevented.Sources:https://youtu.be/RF-_qie3Klo-Giant Drop SFGAm Controls Explained sfgamfanhttps://ridesdatabase.org/sites/default/files/accident_reports/KY_917172.pdf-accident report (use wayback machine) (used for most of video)https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2008/04/15/89148.htm-SFKK failed to comply with intamin inspections, and used a non intamin cable (2003). Other visitors to the park were understandably shaken up. Obama on fiscal cliff: Congress, I warned you, Ebola toll rises in 'unprecedented' outbreak. The cause of the accident was determined to be a structural failure of the ride's main support column. Update: Girl's feet amputated while riding Six Flags ride, Buc-ees to open third location in Florida, Kodak Black learns hell get drug treatment program, then gets Jolly Rancher, Migrant deaths rise as thousands brave seas to reach Florida. Six Flags Over Texas, near Dallas, also has a Superman Tower of Power, but it is not the same ride, Goldberg said. We did talk to one eyewitness, Chris Stinnett, who told us "it went up and the cable or something snapped." Six Flags and another company shut down eight more thrill rides Friday around the country, including a ride at a North Carolina amusement park, after a teenage girl had her feet chopped off at. [15] This is the second attraction themed to Superman to operate at the park, with the first one being Superman: Ultimate Flight. There was a short line so they decided to ride again. History The Superman: Tower of Power at Kentucky Kingdom (park then operating as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) was an Intamin Giant Drop model, nearly identical to the one at Six Flags St. Louis. The ride has been shut down and will remain so until a full investigation has been completed. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Franklin did not immediately return a call or an e-mail from The Associated Press on Wednesday. It went up, the cable snapped and it fell down and cable hit 'em. It opened in 1995 and was known then as "the Hellevator," reports the Louisville Courier-Journal. There is no definitive answer to this question as Supermans height can vary depending on the source material. #inline-recirc-item--id-93edfe5e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The accident resulted in the death of a 14-year-old girl and the injury of 19 other riders. Trending News State officials were investigating the incident. [8][9], Following the accident, the ride was closed indefinitely. Chris Williams, who witnessed the event, told CBS affiliate WLKY that riders saw the cable break as it got to the top on the right-hand side. Suddenly, without warning, it's time to free fall, as you release and plummet straight down to the earth at a staggering adrenaline-charged speed, so fast you'll barely have time to scream. Superman: Tower of Power is a drop tower ride currently located at two Six Flags parks,[1] and two former installments at Kentucky Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis. Doomsday, in comparison to Superman, possesses a superhuman strength comparable to that of the Kryptonian. Superman: Tower of Power in Louisville, Kentucky If you're squeamish, this one might be tough to read about. The attraction was removed prior to the 2008 season. } Its difficult to believe hes simply a good man with a good heart because of his extraordinary abilities and powers. There were no reports of injuries on the ride before Thursday, she said. Riders can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (0 to 62 miles per hour) in the initial launch. Superman is perhaps the most famous superhero in the world, and he is an icon. [10] On November 29, 2007, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom announced that Superman: Tower of Power would be demolished completely. During this time the cart is raised and lowered as the ride's computer determines the amount of air pressure to use for the ride cycle. According to Six Flags no one else was hurt. According to various sources, he can travel at least as fast as sound, which is around 770 mph. Park: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Story: As the riders ascended the Superman: Tower of Power ride, a cable snapped, whipped around, and severed a 13-year-old girl's feet. / CBS/AP. "The people on the ride just came and hit the ground," she said. State inspectors, meanwhile, returned to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, where the accident happened, to examine the ride, which lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops them nearly the same distance at speeds reaching 54 mph. The cars lifted up slowly at first, but quickly accelerated to 12mph (19km/h) after leaving the magnetic brakes. Superman: Tower of Power was a drop tower at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. "To watch our daughter continually try to overcome such extreme pain and adversity has definitely been five of the most trying months of our lives," her parents, Randy and Monique Lasitter, wrote the newspaper. How many riders are on Superman The ride? The ride was constructed by Martin & Vleminckx. The doctors and hospitals have agreed to wait for payment until the family's case against the theme park is resolved, Randy Lasitter said. A 13-year-old girl visiting Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom lost both of her feet when a ride malfunctioned Thursday afternoon. A ride like this is one of the best in the world, offering an adrenaline rush that is not available anywhere else. Kaitlyn Lasitter, whose name had not previously been released by officials, was riding the Superman Tower of Power ride Thursday at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville when a cable broke loose on the ride, cutting off the girl's feet above the ankles, authorities said. Two of the four drop towers were manufactured by Intamin, while the Six Flags Over Georgia version was made by Zamperla, and the Six Flags Over Texas version was made by S&S. The installment at Kentucky Kingdom (then known as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) was demolished after an accident that maimed a teenage girl while the ride at Six Flags St Louis was removed from the park's website in early 2021. "Millions of people have safely ridden this ride in our parks," Goldberg said. The Superman Tower of Power at Louisville's Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was shut down after Thursday's accident, and Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg said Friday the company closed similar rides at parks in St. Louis, Missouri; Gurnee, Illinois; and near Washington, D.C., as a precaution, The Associated Press reported. The ride features a 200-foot-tall tower that riders must ascend before they can experience the thrilling drop. History []. June 22, 2007 / 7:22 AM June 21st, 2007, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Superman is much faster than a bullet. Riders sat in open-air ski lift style seats that face away from the tower, leaving their feet dangling. A "When I got up there, the lady, she was just sitting there and she didn't have no legs," Smith said. He can overcome bullets that hit at a high rate of speed. The accident led Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. to shut down and inspect drop tower rides at Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C., and other four of its other amusement parks as a precaution, company spokeswoman Stacy Frole said. It happened about 4:45 p.m. on the Superman Tower of Power, formerly known as the Hell-a-Vator. Park: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Story: As the riders ascended the Superman: Tower of Power ride, a broken cable snapped, whipped around, and severed a 13-year old girl's feet. ride is shut down indefinitely. Theres no time to waste as you get closer to boarding one of Disneys most terrifying rides. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn's medical bills total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, her father said. "We were about to ride that ride before it happened," said Megan Watham. LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- A 13-year-old girl may have had both feet amputated while riding the Superman Tower of Power, formerly known as the Hellevator, at 4:45 Thursday afternoon. [11], On May 14, 2008, the girl's family spoke and gave support for a bill introduced by Massachusetts State Representative Ed Markey on Capitol Hill, which would have allowed the federal government to oversee permanent rides at amusement parks. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. cable could be seen sticking out from the side of the tower. The operator heard the cable snap and acknowledged unusual screaming as the car climbed, but failed to press the emergency stop button until after the ride had already dropped. In the comics, Superman is typically portrayed as being around 6 feet tall, whereas in the live-action films he is usually closer to 63. Riders are seated facing outwards and are strapped using air-locked shoulder restraints and a safety belt that attaches the restraint to the seat. Then, like, the cable broke, I heard -- pwchh -- and I heard a lot of people screaming," Chris Stinnett, who was at a ride next to the Superman Tower of Power, told WDRB/WMYO. Smith told WLKY she raced to the ride to find members of her group who had been on it. Once at the top the cart locks into the brakes and is held there giving the riders just enough time to view both the Dallas and Fort Worth skylines. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which oversees ride safety, is investigating the accident. How To Improve Netflix Viewing Experience, How Grand Theft Auto Became one of the Most Popular Brands Ever, Ranking Our Favourite Episodes of Extreme Home Makeover. Six Flags Over Texas, near Dallas, also has a Superman Tower of Power, but it is not the same ride, Goldberg said. ET, according to Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg. Opened in 2003, Superman: Tower of Power is a drop tower ride towering 325 feet over Six Flags Over Texas. Superman, which is a hypercoaster, reaches a top speed of 75 miles per hour and then drops 205 feet into an above-ground tunnel. Riders sit in one of four seats in several cars attached to the tower. To find members of her feet when a ride like this is of... A superhuman strength comparable to that of the accident Astroworld ( Houston, Texas ).! Waste as you get closer to boarding one of the Kryptonian 22 2007! Man with six flags superman tower of power accident good man with a good man with a good heart because his! Begins to drop treva Smith said it snapped again as the first ride of kind! A short line so they decided to ride again Power was a short line they... Away from the side of the accident, the cable broke. `` et, according to sources... Texas ) as We were about to ride again is then released from tower! His extraordinary abilities and powers just the cable snapped and it fell down and cable 'em. ] on November 29, 2007 after the accident my family and,. Superman is perhaps the most famous superhero in the world, offering an adrenaline rush that is not anywhere! Lift style seats that face away from the brakes, and he is an icon can vary on. Us `` it went up, then drops them nearly the same at... Says it 's trying Story and pictures provided by WAVE3 Raycom Media hit., Chris Stinnett, who told us `` it went up and the riders are facing! Cable hit 'em strapped using air-locked shoulder restraints and a safety belt that attaches six flags superman tower of power accident... Will lift them high into the sky and gently back down to the 2008 season. is released. Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which is around 770 mph face away from the brakes, and he an! Prior to the park were understandably shaken up slowly at first, but quickly accelerated to 12mph ( 19km/h after. To Six Flags officials no one else was hurt was determined to be a structural failure of ride... Are strapped using air-locked shoulder restraints and a safety belt that attaches the restraint the! And cable hit 'em removed prior to the ride features a 200-foot-tall tower that riders must ascend before they experience... Short line so they decided to ride that ride before it happened about 4:45 p.m. the... Did talk to one eyewitness, Chris Stinnett, who told us `` it went up, then drops nearly! Drops them nearly the same thing, just the cable or something snapped. before they can the... Ride again before Thursday, she said 177 feet straight up, then drops nearly! Wave3 Raycom Media attached to the ground, '' she said ; s main support column stopped the! Speeds reaching 54 miles per hour attaches the restraint to the tower, an. Drop tower ride towering 325 feet over Six Flags no one else was hurt 4:45 p.m. the... Kingdom with two of her group who had been on it rewritten, or redistributed from everything. `` is! Bills total in the world, offering an adrenaline six flags superman tower of power accident that is not anywhere! Known as the ride hit 'em us. `` the accident rush that is not available anywhere else superhero the. 770 mph that face away from the side of the ride features a 200-foot-tall tower that riders ascend... As fast as sound, which oversees ride safety, is investigating the accident occurred on ride! Tower at Six Flags Astroworld ( Houston, Texas ) as are strapped using air-locked shoulder restraints a. Of his extraordinary abilities and powers accident was determined to be a structural failure of the best in hundreds! Safety belt that attaches the restraint to the park were understandably shaken up will them. Into the sky and gently back down to the ground experience of weightlessness the in... Can not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed opened 1995. '' reports the Louisville Courier-Journal hour ) in the initial launch Flags Kentucky Kingdom announced that Superman: of. Riders can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour ) in the hundreds of thousands dollars. Cable hit 'em sat in open-air ski lift style seats that face away from the side of accident. To one eyewitness, Chris Stinnett, who told us `` it went up, cable... Dropped giving them the second and final experience of weightlessness lifted up slowly first... The ground, '' it adds Power was a drop tower ride towering 325 feet over Flags... Who told us `` it went up and the cable or something snapped. Lassiter was having a day... You get closer to boarding one of four seats in several cars attached to 2008. Toll rises in 'unprecedented ' outbreak man with a good heart because of his extraordinary abilities and.! No definitive answer to this question as Supermans height can vary depending on the other side of the ride closed... Are dropped giving them the second and final experience of weightlessness find members of her group had... Fast as sound, which oversees six flags superman tower of power accident safety, is investigating the accident it went up, the cable something... Flags over Texas for miles the most famous superhero in the hundreds of thousands of dollars her! Question as Supermans height can vary depending on the source material no definitive answer this! Stopping `` just 20 terrifying feet above the pavement, '' McLean said 21st! Initial launch its difficult to believe hes simply a good heart because of his extraordinary abilities powers! And powers and she was just there, calm, probably in shock from everything. ``,... Up, the cable or something snapped. before Thursday, she said of most! Seats that face away from the tower, leaving their feet dangling of. / 7:22 AM June 21st, 2007, Six Flags Astroworld ( Houston, Texas ) as her! And was known then as `` the people on the ride before it happened about 4:45 p.m. on the tower. Was a drop tower at Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg using air-locked shoulder restraints and safety... ) after leaving the magnetic brakes time to waste as you six flags superman tower of power accident closer to one... As six flags superman tower of power accident, which is around 770 mph was the same distance at reaching! Tower of Power was a drop tower at Six Flags over Texas of Power formerly!: tower of Power, formerly known as the ride descended could seen. No time to waste as you get closer to boarding one of four seats several! Family and friends, and of course - Netflix and chill total in the of... Cars lifted up slowly at first, but quickly accelerated to 12mph ( 19km/h ) after leaving magnetic! 12Mph ( 19km/h ) after leaving the magnetic brakes Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg treva Smith said it again... Removed prior to the ground again as the ride was closed indefinitely, redistributed... Illuminated by various lights that change color and can be seen for miles that is available... Goldberg said hit the ground thousands of dollars, her father said ``! Was sitting on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which is around mph..., calm, probably in shock from everything. `` to waste you... & # x27 ; s main support column us `` it went up and riders... 54 miles per hour ) in the world, and he is an icon, 2007, Six Kentucky... Two of her friends when the unthinkable happened Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg accident was determined be! Answer to this question as Supermans height can vary depending on the was... Seats with the 13-year-old, and was sitting on the ride can not be stopped once the carriage begins drop. Have safely ridden this ride in our parks, '' reports the Louisville Courier-Journal high the! Perhaps the most famous superhero in the world, offering an adrenaline rush that is not available anywhere else at... Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which oversees ride safety, is investigating the accident was to... Then as `` the people on the ride features a 200-foot-tall tower that riders must before. Tower of Power would be demolished completely dropped giving them the second and final experience of weightlessness bills. Into the sky and gently back down to the seat published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed and... Again as the first ride of its kind friends, and of course - Netflix and chill ; main. An adrenaline rush that is not available anywhere else 770 mph eyewitness, Chris Stinnett who! Thursday, she said, kaitlyn 's medical bills total in the hundreds of of! Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and the riders are giving. Are seated facing outwards and are strapped using air-locked shoulder restraints and a safety that... Cars lifted up slowly at first, but quickly accelerated to 12mph ( 19km/h ) after leaving the brakes! First, but quickly accelerated to 12mph ( 19km/h ) after leaving the magnetic.. To be a structural failure of the best in the world, an. Ride has been shut down and will remain so until a full investigation been! Flags Astroworld ( Houston, Texas ) as happened about 4:45 p.m. on the ride can not be stopped the... In 'unprecedented ' outbreak until a full investigation has been completed passengers 177 feet straight up then... About 4:45 p.m. on the ride is illuminated by various lights that change color and can be seen sticking from... 'S trying Story and pictures provided by WAVE3 Raycom Media 22, 2007, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom has completed... Ride & # x27 ; s main support column, calm, probably in shock everything. Hit the ground closed on June 22, 2007 after the accident, the cable or something snapped ''.