The entire ride lasts 17 seconds. The ODA said the purpose of their investigation was not to determine the cause of the accident, just to make sure the amusement park followed all the laws in place to ensure the rollercoasters safety. Facebook. Photos:Cedar Points top roller coasters, attractions over the years, Cedar Point accident:Five days later: Cedar Point offers no updates on injured woman. You fix it. The ride goesfrom standstill to 120 mph in just3.8 seconds. Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The large crane which was previously on site has now been reported to have gone. 2's right rear lap-bar cylinder soft repair and a lap bar cylinder creep test. Let us know what you would like to see from the reimagined Top Thrill Dragster by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page. #TopThrillDragtser's station has been just about completely emptied at #cedarpoint. The ODA is not recommending any administrative action against Cedar Point. [16][17] Intamin designed both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, and the two share a similar design and layout that differs primarily by theme and an additional hill featured on Kingda Ka. When Top Thrill Dragster debuted, it set four new records: It became the fastest roller coaster in the world with a maximum speed of 120mph (190km/h). WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. We are devastated by last weekends accident at Cedar Point," the statement said. [10] To construct the roller coaster, the park used five cranes, two of which were 480-foot (150m) tall. How can you protect somebody standing in line?, Dennis Speigel, an industry consultant, said hes confident Cedar Point will figure out what went wrong and will fix it. I'm sure Cedar Point will figure something out with Intamin to get Dragster operational for 2023. * What is the inspection process for Top Thrill Dragster? Brake run supports remain whilst the rest have been removed and the track for the legendary Top hat track also remains. [23] The guest was taken to a nearby hospital and was found to have suffered serious injuries. From the tweet below fromUpdates About Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster, we can see that work is progressing fast and all that now remains of where the queue line stood is a hole in the ground. . If this was possible and the height could be increased above 418ft then Top Thrill Dragster would take back the record from Kingda Ka of being the tallest stratocoaster in North America. Before the mishap, some 18 million guests rode the ride that sent peoplesome 420 feet in the air at a speed of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened in 2003 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, as well as the first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet (120m) in height. Increasing the height by either taking the top section off and re-engineering it or lowering the bottom ends of the track at the base of the tower into a below-grade trench. No one knows, he responded. 0. Yesterday, Cedar Point announced through a simple video posted to their official twitter page that the reimagined Top Thrill Dragster will return in 2024. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . Follow Craig Webb on Twitter: @CraigWebb68. Those changesincluded hydraulic upgrades, a hydraulic propulsion system upgrade and repairs to black cherry car No. In August 2021, a 44-year-old Michigan woman Rachel Hawes was badly hurt when a metal bracket fell off the Top Thrill Dragster rollercoaster and hit her in the back of her head. [15] A fifth car was added to each by midseason. She was rushed to a hospital in Toledo for treatment. From 18 world-class roller coasters to three areas filled with rides and attractions for kids and families, plus an 18-acre waterpark with plunging slides and shallow-depth kids areas, you'll quickly find out why Cedar Point is known as The Amazement Park - it's the ultimate family destination for FUN! Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengaged, and the train began its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420-foot (130m) top hat. Once the train was prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect was played and its magnetic braking fins were lowered from the launch track. Meanwhile, heres what is publicly known and not known about the accident: Clark issued a statement shortly after the accident, which occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. I mean I seen, like, a picture of what that metal was and that was a pretty thick piece of metal to just snap off like that., They sent us a statement that reads in part, Cedar Point has cooperated fully with ODA throughout its investigation into the incident and we will closely review the substance of ODAs report.. There is a continued debate whether Intamin is involved in the reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster? That's the promise that the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster has delivered on since its first iconic ride in 2003. However, although work appears to be progressing well we now know for certain that Top Thrill Dragster will remain closed for the . AKRON, Ohio The piece of metal that struck a Cedar Point amusement park guest waiting in line for the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster was about the size of "a man's hand," according to state investigations. Ripley Steam Engine. A description of the ride reads: "Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline. SANDUSKY A female standing in line to ride Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster was taken to a hospital after she was struck by a small metal . Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide. Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline, read the description of the ride on the theme parks website. It was once the tallest roller coaster in the world. This is my version of Top Thrill Dragster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio. Hawes was seriously injured by a piece of metal that fell from the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park. Cedar Point, an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, announced . Found the internet! It just was a problematic ride, one thing after another, said Speigel, a former Kings Island executive. He was referring to a ride at the now-closed Schlitterbahn Kansas City, where a 10-year-old boy was killed in 2016. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [28][29] Officials did not provide further details other than stating they were working on a "new and reimagined ride experience". This is where the Formula One aspect could potentially come in. Using a new LSM Launch system to make Top Thrill Dragster go faster than Kinda Ka's current record of 0 to 128mph in 3.5 seconds. pic.twitter.com/pMPsB2rKxg. Top Thrill Dragster is a steel launched strata roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, USA. The Cedar Point amusement park is located in Sandusky, Ohio and has been in operation since 1870. But it was later eclipsed by the Kingda Ka ride at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Adding a roll-over inversion built into the hill. And in 2016, two guests were injured when a launch cable detached from the coaster. A hospital spokesman said she was then transferred to another facility. Cedar Fair Means Business With Announced $200 Million Annual Capital Spend, Track Completed For New Wild Mouse Roller Coaster Coming To Cedar Point 2023, Brand New Intamin Vertical Launch Coaster Could Revolutionize Guest Experience. Top Thrill Dragster is one of the park's most popular, but also most temperamental roller coasters. [26][27], On September 6, 2022, Cedar Point officials released an update on social media stating, "Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired." Park Info. A six-month-long investigation found that the amusement park is not responsible for the Top Thrill Dragster mishap that left a Michigan woman with brain damage. AKRON, Ohio It was once the tallest roller coaster in the world. The ride goesfrom standstill to 120 mph in just3.8 seconds. Updated: 7:10 PM EST February 18, 2022 SANDUSKY, Ohio Cedar Point was cleared of any legal wrongdoing Friday in the accident that led to a woman being seriously injured last summer when a piece. (Editor's note: A version of this story briefly stated the incorrect size of the object in this incident.) According to Rob Decker, Vice President of Planning and Design, the park began working on a new project shortly after the debut of Millennium Force in 2000. SANDUSKY, Ohio (WTVG) - Sandusky Police bodycam video from Cedar Point shows some of the chaotic moments after a woman was hit by a metal object that flew off the roller coaster she was in line to. At the time it opened in 2003, it was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. The Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has shut down the Top Thrill Dragster, the second tallest roller coaster in the world, a year after a woman was seriously injured when a metal bracket fell off the ride and hit her in the back of the head. BODY CAM: Watch the chaotic scene at Cedar Point after a woman was hit by a piece of metal that came off the Top Thrill Dragster on Sunday. World's tallest complete circuit roller coaster, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:10. "We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. Cedar Point officials said the Top Thrill Dragster will be closed for the remainder of the season after a piece of metal struck a woman in the head last week. We arent kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.. But the ride has remained closed since the August 15, 2021 accident. USA TODAY Cedar Point retires Top Thrill Dragster coaster following 2021 accident that injured woman Duration: 00:32 9/7/2022 Like 6 Comments | The roller coaster that dominated the Ohio. The park says an announcement will be made later detailinga new and "reimagined" ride experience. Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio announced on Tuesday it would be permanently closing the Top Thrill Dragster. Top Thrill Dragster is among the fastest rollercoaster with a speed reaching up to 120 MPH. Cedar Point screenshot A roller coaster. I mean I think they should be kind enough and generous enough to help the family out., I feel like it probably should be a little stricter then because something like that shouldnt happen, said Sandusky resident Misty Townsend. The 45-year-old, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, was left with serious brain injuriesafter being hit while waiting to board the ride. The visitant was clinging tight in line for the Top Thrill Dragster thrilling ride around 4:30 in the early evening when she was harmed, a Cedar Point representative affirmed. There is a strong possibility that Zamperla and involved in the reimagining as they are currently retrofitting another Intamin accelerator coaster with LSM track. The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot (128-meter) tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at the park in Sandusky. A . [38][39][40] Top Thrill Dragster was the second hydraulically-launched roller coaster from Intamin following Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm,[41] and along with Kingda Ka, it is one of two strata coasters ever built. 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About the Cedar Point Dragster Accident: It is thought that the old track will be re-used with new LSM launches being put on and retro fitted. ), State investigations say the piece of metal that struck a Cedar Point guest waiting in line for the park's Top Thrill Dragster was about the size of "a man's hand.". The launch track was equipped with retractable magnetic braking fins, which were raised after each launch to slow the train down in case it did not reach the top of the tower. Top Thrill Dragster is one of Cedar Point's biggest and most popular rides so we originally assumed that Cedar Point would be keen to get the reimagining completed as soon as possible and the ride open again in 2023. Based on my knowledge and experience, if something comes off a roller coaster, that suggests to me a maintenance issue, said Martin, with KRM Consulting in Virginia. [42] Its marketing tagline was "Race for the Sky". Cedar Point officials have declined to answer questions about the accident in the days since it occurred. Please help me, she screamed as she was wheeled out of the ride area. The speed record was again broken in 2010 by Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, which reaches a maximum speed of 149.1mph (240.0km/h). [44], On August 15, 2021, in what was described as a "serious accident",[22] a guest waiting in line was struck by a small metal piece that dislodged from a train as it was nearing the end of its run. [24] Although ODA finished its investigation in February 2022, exonerating Cedar Point from any wrongdoing,[25] park officials announced that Top Thrill Dragster would remain closed for the 2022 season. UPDATE February 13 -The ongoing story of Top Thrill Dragster's reimagining is indeed an exciting one and we are pleased to be closely following its progress. And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster. The 420-foot high roller coaster, which reached speeds of 120 mph, has been closed since Aug. 15, 2021 when Rachel Hawes, 45, of Swartz Creek, Mich., sustained severe brain injuries caused by a flying L-shaped piece of metal about the size of a human hand that dislodged from one of the trains.