Fatal Roller Coaster Accident at Japan's Expoland

[ScaparriFull Fledged Katonga Enthusiast]

^Oh yeah, good call. I just now noticed that there aren't even any brakes in the section of track the train is at.

[OlsorWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

There have long been stories about the King Cobra at Kings Island de-railing shortly after it opened 1984, but with no fatalities.

I've searched long and hard, but can't find any sources reporting about this supposed accident. Of course, this was so long ago that any sort of news story would be hard to find.

Yep - one of the cars in King Cobra derailed in the helix in August 1984. I've got a clipping from the Chicago Tribune article on it from the following day. The car didn't separate from the train, and the train just slowed to a stop close to the ground. Eight were injured, but there were no fatalities. It was somewhat noteworthy because that accident happened at the same time Rail Blazer was just reopening after its fatal accident in July. The Tribune ran an article about each that day.

[hemmy2 + 2 = donkey!]

Dang, that sucks. I hate bad media for coasters

You can see in some of our pictures of the ride:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/photos/e ... aijin2.htm

That the guardrail isn't on the entire circuit. So if the car derailed at a fast point during the ride, then all of a sudden here comes that guardrail, yeah, the chick died pretty fast.

Scary that this happened...especially in Japan.

On the really freaky coincidence front...a group of us were doing some Japan Trip planning last night and spend a considerable amount of time working on some Expoland options, train schedules, and ERT stuff! Really creepy.

[ginzoWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Yep - one of the cars in King Cobra derailed in the helix in August 1984. I've got a clipping from the Chicago Tribune article on it from the following day. The car didn't separate from the train, and the train just slowed to a stop close to the ground. Eight were injured, but there were no fatalities. It was somewhat noteworthy because that accident happened at the same time Rail Blazer was just reopening after its fatal accident in July. The Tribune ran an article about each that day.

If you get a moment, would you mind scanning it and posting it here? There are so many apocryphal coaster accident stories, but this one I've always supposed to be true.

[RollerCI wrote the book about donkeys!]

I wonder if this will effect the two Togos at the KD and CW. I just noticed that both of those also have railings throughout the whole ride.

I've just organized the photos and added a video to page 1.

--Robb

[FlyingScooterSorry, Not Feeling Very Creative Today!]

Sad news, indeed.
Best wishes for all effected by this.

[Top Thrill DragsterDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Sad, my deepest sympathies go out to the families.


One question, when Steel Dragon lost its wheel did it kill any one?

One question, when Steel Dragon lost its wheel did it kill any one?

No. A serious injury, but no deaths.

--Robb