In a horrible accident, a 13-year-old girl’s legs were severed above the ankle while on the Superman Tower Of Power ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Here’s a closer look at the Superman Tower Of Power accident.
Superman Tower Of Power Accident: A Cord Snapped
Unlike traditional roller coasters, the Tower Of Power is a “free fall” type ride. According to the park’s website, the ride lifts passengers 177 feet (54 meters) straight up, then drops them 154 feet (47 meters), reaching a speed of 54 mph (87 kph). The ride was formally called Hellevator before being renamed “Superman Tower of Power.”
A Swiss company called Intamin made the ride in 1993. Intamin has installed 70+ rides around the globe since 1979. According to Intamin, a steel cord snapped loose just as the ride reached its highest point. Eyewitnesses said the cord snapped again and moved in front of the ride as it descended. The 13-year-old girl’s legs were in the path of the cord as the ride descended causing them to be severed. It’s still unknown why the cord broke loose in the first place.
Superman Tower Of Power Ride Malfunctions Before Accident
Here’s a video of the Superman ride from a month before the June 21, 2007, accident. You can see the ride had issues and one car is out of commission. Six Flags knew that the Superman ride was having issues. Why didn’t they shut it down?
Six Flags Should Retire The Superman Ride
Honestly, Six Flags officials should just retire the ride. No one will want to ride it. And no one will ever call the ride by its real name again. Instead, it will be jokingly nicknamed something like “Superman Tower of Terror” or “Superman Ride of Bloody Severed Legs”.
UPDATE: Days after the accident, Six Flags announced that they would close the Superman ride as well as several similar rides across the country.
The Superman Tower Of Power Victim
Kaitlyn Lassiter, the young woman who lost her legs in this accident is reported to be in stable condition. Her friends describe her as “pretty” and “popular.” In the short term, she probably has a series of surgeries and rehab sessions ahead of her. And sadly a lifetime of difficulties from not having feet. I hope she gets a giant multi-million dollar settlement from Six Flags. Poor kid. We feel terrible for her and her family.
UPDATE: Kaitlyn Lassiter made this statement a year after her terrible accident.
What Really Happened At Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom On June 21, 2007?
Immediately after the Superman Tower of Power accident, the ride was shut down indefinitely so park officials could investigate what caused the accident. A lot of things went wrong. Here’s a closer look at the Superman Tower Of Power accident and what really happened at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom on June 21, 2007.
Frank Wilson is a retired teacher with over 30 years of combined experience in the education, small business technology, and real estate business. He now blogs as a hobby and spends most days tinkering with old computers. Wilson is passionate about tech, enjoys fishing, and loves drinking beer.
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