Texas Giant Manufacturer Blames Six Flags For Fatal Accident

The Texas Giant ride manufacturer blames Six Flags for a fatal accident that killed 52-year-old Rosy Esparza. In February, Six Flags filed a lawsuit against Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, claiming the roller coaster’s seats were defective. However, the manufacturer contends the theme park and its employees are to blame.

On July 19, 3012, Esparza and her family were visiting the Arlington, Texas, theme park. While riding The Texas Giant roller coaster, the restraints on Esparza’s seat failed. Although the woman tried to hold on, she eventually lost her grip.

According to the police report, Rosy Esparza fell 75 feet before she struck a support beam. Officer J. Alvarez, with the Arlington Police department said the woman “had completely been severed almost in half and came to rest against a wooden beam on top of a metal building.” The medical examiner determined Esparza was killed on impact.

In an interview with police, a Six Flags employee admitted that the restraint on Esparza’s seat was “a little high… or not as tight as it should be.” However, the control panel indicated that the seat was properly locked.

When questioned further, the employee said the same train experienced a mechanical failure just days before the fatal accident. According to reports, the train’s sensors were not registering on the central panel. Although a maintenance crew fixed the problem, it is unclear whether it was working when Esparza fell from the Texas Giant ride.

Rosy Esparza’s family filed a lawsuit against the amusement park. They claim Six Flags was negligent and “not proactive in regard to safety systems.” As reported by WFAA News, Six Flags denied responsibility in the fatal accident:

“… external and internal experts determined… that the accident was not caused by any mechanical failure.”

Although they deny liability, the theme park redesigned the restraints and added seat belts to the train. They also installed a test seat at the ride’s entrance, which can be used to determine if riders will “properly fit in the restraint system.”

In response to the Esparza’s lawsuit, Six Flags filed a case against the Texas Giant manufacturer. In the claim, they assert their employees followed all the manufacturers “recommended operations and maintenance procedures.”

Fox News reports that Gerstlauer Amusement Rides disagrees. The manufacturer said Six Flags had the option of adding seat belts and a test seat in 2011. However, they failed to include the additional safety measures. They also argue that ride operators were not properly trained to test the ride’s lap bars.

The Texas Giant manufacturer has also asked that the case against them be dismissed.

[Image via In Park Magazine]