SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => SDC Memories/ Park History => Topic started by: Max on February 14, 2008, 11:09:56 AM

Title: Mishaps
Post by: Max on February 14, 2008, 11:09:56 AM
I am in no way trying to be morbid or anything, but SDC seems to be a pretty safe park. There are a lot of deaths and accidents recorded at other parks, either SDC is good at keeping things concealed or they have an excellent safety record. Does anybody know of occurrences? I have read about possible deaths in the Cave, but was wondering if it was true.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: shavethewhales on February 14, 2008, 06:49:06 PM
SDC always has been one of the safest, if not the safest parks in the world, but stuff does go wrong every blue moon. Something like 20 years ago there was a gruesome incident where a rider on FITH was killed when the train he was in was accidentally diverted into the maintainence area. The entry into the area was only as high as the car, so when it went through he was decapitated. Since then they've done such a good job of keeping everything run as safely as possible that there have been no other incidents involving major rider injury chain-wide, at least to my knowledge. (Has anyone ever died or been injured badly at DW?)

Also, as I just learned recently, there was an incident with the bridge holding part of the Lost River's queue just a few years ago, when part of it collapsed. One woman broke some bones in her leg. It was apparently just one of those structural oddities that occur out of the blue.

Other than those two incidents, I don't think much else has happened, thankfully. 
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Dukefan on February 16, 2008, 10:45:45 PM
Has anyone ever died or been injured badly at DW?

No ride-related deaths that I know of, however there have been some mishaps though-

In 1989 there was an incident with Thunder Express (Dollywood's old Arrow mine train) where two trains bumped in the station when the brake run failed.   There were no serious injuries but some folks were bruised up.  It happened on opening weekend.

In 2004 a woman fell off the steam train when a drink was spilt on her.  I think she broke a few bones.

Then of course last summer Timber Tower got stuck.  Some people were stranded on the ride for 3+ hours.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Joy on February 17, 2008, 12:46:46 AM
Ah... If we're listing any mishaps, I should list the minor train bump that happened on Powderkeg in its station... Don't remember the exact details.

~ "Becky" Joy ~
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: shavethewhales on February 17, 2008, 01:31:11 PM
^The station brakes failed and an incoming train bumped into a train in the station at around 4 mph. The Herschends ended up sending a bunch of people to the hospital, even though no one was notably hurt.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on February 23, 2008, 11:10:58 PM
One time I was actually hit and run over by that invisible, ghostly wagon on the wooden bridge close to the candy shop!
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Copper on February 25, 2008, 02:17:55 AM
Wow!!! That must have been terrible! ;D
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on March 10, 2008, 06:58:26 PM
I'm remembering a fire in the Flooded Mine a few years ago.  Employees evacuated the ride manually and were commended for their efficiency.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Old Guy on March 14, 2008, 04:40:24 PM
Many years ago the swinging bridge cable anchor broke when a large group (over 50)of not very bright teens decided to all jump together on it. They quickly samk new pillings and reinforced it so it could not happen again!
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Coaster on March 16, 2008, 03:09:49 PM
^Did any of the teens get hurt in the incident? When was that?
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Old Guy on March 16, 2008, 03:22:29 PM
As I recall a broken arm, cuts, bruses, etc. Late 70's early 80s's? There used to be a sign that said 'Built 1880 re-built 1881" that disapeared after that incedent.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on March 16, 2008, 03:24:18 PM
Isn't that still what the sign says?  I'm thinking it's still there.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on March 16, 2008, 03:28:49 PM
Well maybe not.  I just looked at the Swinging Bridge picture and it just says 1881.  I must just be remembering the old sign.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Copper on March 16, 2008, 05:57:00 PM
I think it was during a young Christians Week.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Coaster on March 18, 2008, 11:08:08 PM
^Lol, how odd would that be?
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Old Guy on April 04, 2008, 03:33:11 PM
When the landing was first opened, the upper corner( closest to the restroom on the other side of the tracks), was a great cable slide. Everyone who worked there tried it out, schoolkids were brought in to test things, pictures were shot, it was a big hit. Then on  opening day, within one hour one child broke his arm on it.  :( It was then scaled down to a rather dull short run, and removed not long after.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Deputy Mike on December 13, 2018, 10:03:07 PM
I worked in the parking lot at SDC when the fatality on FITH occurred.  It was a sad time at the park.  What made it even more painful was that SDC management were practically fanatics about safety.  Safety was continually preached and practiced. 
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Jemmicat on December 14, 2018, 08:51:24 AM
I seem to remember a report of rattlesnakes in FITH and someone getting bitten in the late 70's early 80's. Or rather, I remember my parents saying something about it. That may not be true though...
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Citydweller84 on December 19, 2018, 09:00:34 PM
I seem to remember a report of rattlesnakes in FITH and someone getting bitten in the late 70's early 80's. Or rather, I remember my parents saying something about it. That may not be true though...

My older sisters always used to tell me stories like that about FitH. I've always wondered if they were true, or just my sisters trying to torment seven year old me.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on December 19, 2018, 09:14:45 PM
I seem to remember a report of rattlesnakes in FITH and someone getting bitten in the late 70's early 80's. Or rather, I remember my parents saying something about it. That may not be true though...

My older sisters always used to tell me stories like that about FitH. I've always wondered if they were true, or just my sisters trying to torment seven year old me.

Those are common urban myths about dark rides everywhere.  There probably are occasional snakes, but the stories always tell of them dropping into a boat or ride vehicle.  Snakes are only clinging to the ceiling of a ride waiting to prey on unsuspecting human tourists.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: okiebluegrass on December 20, 2018, 09:04:50 AM
Quote
Those are common urban myths about dark rides everywhere.  There probably are occasional snakes, but the stories always tell of them dropping into a boat or ride vehicle.  Snakes are only clinging to the ceiling of a ride waiting to prey on unsuspecting human tourists.
I'd be more concerned about the snakes in the cave...
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: History Buff on December 20, 2018, 10:08:51 AM
Perhaps around the entry and exit to pick off a bat or two, but I wouldn't think there would be any farther in.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Citydweller84 on December 20, 2018, 12:51:03 PM
Perhaps around the entry and exit to pick off a bat or two, but I wouldn't think there would be any farther in.

Seen plenty of bats in the cave over the years, no snakes, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: Gilligan on December 20, 2018, 09:43:02 PM
Perhaps around the entry and exit to pick off a bat or two, but I wouldn't think there would be any farther in.

The hubs says you are probably right.  There wouldn't be enough food in the cave for snakes, and it's cold. They hibernate in groups to retain heat.  Caves aren't going to be too interesting to them. ;D
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: okiebluegrass on January 03, 2019, 11:49:32 AM
Snakes can't survive down in the cave for very long. I have seen a couple on the tower though.
Title: Re: Mishaps
Post by: BKtoys on November 30, 2019, 06:26:46 PM
At the gunshop, mid 70 s an employee, caint recall his name, shot a rifle through his hand, the ramrod with it, and the ramrod stuck in the roof of the leanto. About 1975 or so.