A couple visiting Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri, found themselves in a critical situation when they had to physically restrain a fellow passenger on the Mamba roller coaster after her seatbelt reportedly failed mid-ride. The incident prompted an inspection and subsequent replacement of multiple restraints on the popular attraction.
Key Takeaways
- A couple manually held a young rider in her seat on the Mamba roller coaster after her seatbelt came undone.
- The incident occurred on the first hill of the ride, which reaches speeds of 72 miles per hour.
- A separate incident involving a loose seatbelt was reported the following day.
- Worlds of Fun replaced 18 seat belt units after an inspection found some were "worn" and "not locking."
A Frightening Experience at 200 Feet
Chris and Cassie Evins, season ticket holders at Worlds of Fun, were on the Mamba roller coaster last month when they heard an unusual scream from the row behind them. It wasn't the typical sound of thrill-seekers, but one of genuine panic.
"We get on the roller coaster and the very first hill, the girl sitting behind my wife just lets out this blood-curdling scream like I’ve never heard before," Chris Evins explained. He initially thought it was just a first-time rider's reaction, but then the girl shouted that her seatbelt had come undone.
The Mamba is a hypercoaster known for its 205-foot first drop and speeds reaching up to 72 miles per hour. With the ride already in motion, the Evins couple took immediate action to secure the passenger.
"I looped my arm underneath her lap bar, which had a pretty big gap between her and the lap bar," Chris said. "I looped my arm underneath the lap bar, and I grabbed a hold of her wrist. My wife was pushing down on her legs."
The couple, familiar with the coaster's layout, used their knowledge of the twists and turns to anticipate the forces and keep the girl and her friend stable. Cassie Evins described the experience as terrifying, holding onto someone at high speeds while the girls were crying throughout the ride.
About the Mamba Roller Coaster
Opened in 1998, the Mamba is one of the signature attractions at Worlds of Fun. As a hypercoaster, its design focuses on high speeds, significant airtime hills, and a large footprint. It does not feature inversions. The ride utilizes a lap bar and a secondary seatbelt as its restraint system.
Pattern of Concern Emerges
The day after the Evins' harrowing ride, another safety concern was raised on the same coaster. A mother reportedly noticed her son's seatbelt was not properly latched before the train began its ascent up the lift hill.
She alerted ride operators, who stopped the ride to address the issue. According to the mother, the seatbelt was twisted and loose before it was adjusted. This second report in as many days heightened scrutiny of the coaster's safety equipment.
Ride Safety Measures
Most modern roller coasters, including the Mamba, are designed with a multi-layered restraint system. This typically includes a primary restraint, such as a lap bar or over-the-shoulder harness, and a secondary, redundant system like a seatbelt. This design is intended to ensure passenger safety even if one component fails.
Park Response and Equipment Replacement
Following the initial report from the Evins couple, Worlds of Fun, which is operated by Six Flags, took action. A spokesperson for the park stated that the team immediately closed the ride for a thorough inspection before it was reopened later that evening.
"The safety of our guests and team members is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "The ride is equipped with a multi-layered restraint system, and it has operated safely since the initial concern was raised."
After the second incident and further review, the park provided an updated statement. "The ride has undergone a comprehensive safety review, and we have implemented modifications requested by the Fire Marshall to ensure it meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards," the company confirmed.
An inspection report noted that some of the seat belts on the Mamba were found to be "worn" and "not locking" correctly. While the park maintained that the primary buckles were functional, it took a significant step to address the issue.
A Six Flags representative later confirmed that, "out of an abundance of caution, 18 units have been replaced." The ride has since resumed normal operations following the replacements and safety checks.
