On May 25, 2017, numerous fights broke out during Valleyfair's debut of "Adult Night", an event that only admits adults inside the park. The rotation was immediately halted, and several of the passenger cars were severely damaged. [79][103] The area's architecture and cultural themes represent Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. [53][54], Action Zone opened in 1974 as Lion Country Safari, a 100-acre (40ha) section of the park featuring a monorail ride that took guests on a safari-style tour through an animal preservation. The 230-foot-tall (70m) hypercoaster reaches a top speed of 80mph (130km/h) and features a splashdown water effect finale. June 9, 1991 was a grim night at Kings Island Amusement park in southern Ohio. Both were taken to a nearby hospital after the accident. [21][22] In order to appease frustrated guests, the south track of The Racer began running its trains backward in 1982, which became so popular that the change remained until 2008. [8][9] Most of the former park's rides were relocated, and much of what remained was demolished. He was standing adjacent to the track, searching for a guest's lost article. [32], Following Cedar Fair's purchase of the park from Paramount in 2006, Nickelodeon-themed elements were eventually removed and replaced with Peanuts comic strip themes in 2010 the children's brand marketed at other Cedar Fair parks. October 25, 1975: A nationally televised event featured. > over in the last thread, hence why it was closed. Originally intended to be named Frontier Land, the area was eventually named Rivertown when it debuted with the park in 1972. Includes a covered bridge, a pond, a faux gas station, and several billboards that reference past Kings Island attractions. Now my kids have all worked there as well. Seven people were treated at the park. See the rider height guide, List of Fast Lane attractions Kings Island, "TEA/AECOM 2021 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report", "Kings Island has changed ownership, made major strides in the last 50 years", "Kings Island celebrates 45 years of world class thrills, fun and family entertainment", "Riding History To The Limits The Concept", "Kings Island's 40 years of success started with 1972 opening", "Kings Island: Racer coaster tallies its 100 millionth rider", "Wallendas fight to survive: Family troupe finds less work", "The Beast: The original biggest, baddest, tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the world", "Arrow Dynamics: Disney's Coaster Partner", "Paramount to buy 4 theme parks for $400 million", "The history of California's Great America and its path to sustainability", "Acquisition of KECO sharpens Paramount's marketing edge", "More Studios Open Theme Park Attractions That Tie Into Their Movies: Entertainment: MCA, Paramount, Walt Disney and Time Warner now control 13 of the top 20 most popular parks in the U.S. and Canada", "Bite by bite, neighboring cities take land", "CBS to sell Carowinds, other theme parks", "Paramount's Kings Island riding coaster of offers", "Cedar Fair, L.P. Completes Acquisition of the Paramount Parks", "$145M sale of Six Flags solidifies Ohio market; Cedar Point's parent company to buy Cleveland-area competitor", "Cedar Point's parent firm buys 5 additional parks for $1.24 billion", "Ticket tax proposal has both sides lining up", "Kings Island ticket tax rejected by Mason City Council", "Council Votes Against Kings Island Tax Hike", "Kings Island Camp Cedar To Open Spring 2021", "Kings Island Camp Cedar to Open Spring 2021", "Welcome to Adventure Port! Kings Island, 1991: A 32-year-old Toledo woman fell from the ride called Flight Commander in June 1991 and died . The ride was temporarily closed pending an investigation of its safety features, which resulted in new lap bar installations. It can be seen from the top of The Bat's lift hill. [69] The area first opened as a small sub-section of Coney Mall when Flight of Fear was introduced in 1996. On June 7, 1990, three people suffered injuries while riding. One was knocked over by a guardrail. Kings Island is a pay-one-price park. I have lived near Kings Island since it opened in 1972 and worked there as a teenager. No injuries were reported. On June 15, 2014, a 10-year-old boy was injured on, On August 25, 1999, five people sustained injuries on. On January 31, 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the park when a mother claimed that her teenage daughter suffered injuries while visiting the park with her friends back in September 2017. Seven riders suffered minor injuries, three of which were evaluated at a nearby hospital. [133] In August 2016, Kings Island revealed plans to build Mystic Timbers, a 109-foot-tall (33m) wooden roller coaster that opened in 2017. Isabel Carella, of . For safety reasons, said Kings Island Spokesman Chad Showalter, park officials do not publicly discuss details regarding its various security personnel, systems or strategies. On July 19, 1990, an 18-year-old park employee was severely injured and placed in intensive care after getting struck by the wheel housing of a passing car. It reopened the following day. The grand opening was held the following month on May 27, 1972. On July 28, 2013, 65 passengers were stuck on Carowinds' WindSeeker for over an hour, when a safety mechanism halted the ride. In this case, one truck and three vehicles were reportedly involved in a wreck near Kings Island, that snarled traffic for miles. A preliminary autopsy report found that she had an. So I can remember quite a few of the deaths that happened there. The Beast and Banshee are among other attractions that have set world records, some of which are still held today. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. On September 2, 1999, a 13-year-old boy claimed that he was not properly secured in his restraints as they became loose after intentionally slipping out of them when the coaster's train was going up the lift hill. [70][71] The park leaked clues implying a new ride would take its place,[72] and in August 2019 with park guests and press in attendance, the park unveiled its plans to build Orion. Many rides at Kings Island are dynamic and thrilling, according to a statement from park officials listed in the ride safety information provided to all guests. [95] 21 of the 29 cases have since been closed. Adventure Express will receive theming enhancements, and food venues will be renovated and renamed. A classic spinning ride. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In this video, you will see exact locations in the Kings Island park where all the deaths and accidents have happened. After more than $300 million in capital investments,[5] the park features over 100 attractions including fourteen roller coasters and a 33-acre (13ha) water park. Park owner Hunt-Midwest and ride manufacturer. For more than five decades, Kings Island has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest for literally millions of families seeking the best in rides, live entertainment, food and Cincinnati events, all in a magical amusement park setting. On July 16, 2022, police responded to numerous calls from park guests reporting gunshots from inside of the park. [90] She has since blamed herself for this situation happening. On May 8, 1982, eight people were injured when two boats jammed up, resulting in a collision with other boats moving down the ride. [57] Over the years, it featured rides such as Screamin' Demon (19771987), the first steel looping roller coaster to run both forward and backward in the United States, and King Cobra (19842001), a stand-up looping roller coaster that was the first of its kind in the world. KINGS ISLAND, Ohio -- A high school senior was decapitated in moving elevator machinery at the Eiffel Tower attraction at Kings Island Amusement Park after possibly falling from the 300-foot tower . On January 27, 2001, an employee was trapped under a locomotive and his legs were seriously injured. On July 15, 1979, six people were injured after two coaster trains collided. The park has also suffered through times of negative publicity, particularly surrounding the early demise of roller coasters The Bat and Son of Beast. Severe internal metal fatigue in a support post was determined as the cause. A guest's known, or unknown, health issues. [22], Kings Island also went through a series of ownership changes over the next decade. Other deaths include a tuba player from the clown band who was struck by lightning in the parking lot and miscellaneous heart attacks and medical deaths that are just going to happen in a place that deals with that many people. 1999: The Adventure Village area begins the first of a two-year expansion, renamed Paramount Action Zone and rethemed as a movie studio backlot. On August 7, 2016, a launch cable became detached on the ride. On October 30, 1983, an 18-year-old man fell 200 feet (61m) to his death after climbing over the safety rail of the gondola he was riding in during the annual Knott's Scary Farm event. As one of the park's original staples when it opened in 1972, International Street was designed by Bruce Bushman, a former Walt Disney Imagineering layout design artist. Nobody was injured, but the water park remained closed the next day following the incident. [80][81] It was removed following the 1986 season and relocated to Wonderland Sydney, where it reopened in 1989. If his legacy could be rewritten, his successful, record-breaking jump at Ohio's Kings Island amusement park in October 1975over 14 Greyhound buses and 133 feetwould have been a more . [23] Taft invested in KECO to retain one-third interest. On November 21, 2015, a fire broke out at a storage building being used for a haunt attraction at London Terror. They usually fall into one of the following categories: . Use of this site is governed by our Terms Of Service and Privacy Policy. The victim suffered nerve, knee and back injuries. [45] Nickelodeon's presence remained until the 2010 season, when Cedar Fair began incorporating its Peanuts theme throughout the park, primarily in the children's area. The cars on an engine were badly damaged after its roof collapsed while going through a tunnel. On August 9, 1990, the ride stopped abruptly mid-ride due to an electrical shortage, slightly injuring 19 people on board. The fighting took place mostly in the parking lot area, while a small number occurred inside the park. A lawsuit filed four years later on December 5, 2018, resulted in a $2.75 million settlement with the ride's manufacturer. On July 5, 1989, an 11-year-old boy drowned in the wave pool. [9] "Kings Island" emerged the most popular for its recognition of the Kings Mills area as well as its predecessor Coney Island. [41] Beginning in 2008, Face/Off became Invertigo,[42] The Italian Job Stunt Track became Backlot Stunt Coaster,[43] Tomb Raider: The Ride became The Crypt[44] and Top Gun became Flight Deck. You can also google the names of the victims to read more about them if you choose. Some riders were also sprayed with hydraulic fluid. Everyone on the ride was evacuated safely by park employees; no injuries were reported. On September 2, 2011, Kings Island announced a $10-million expansion of the water park for the 2012 season, as well as a plan to rename it Soak City. According to a June 10 Associated Press story, two, 20-year-old men one of them a . [25][29][30] Paramount formed a new division known as Paramount Parks. On July 21, 1990, two cars collided at the bottom of the lift hill. Payne? On June 7, 1987, five people were arrested for allegedly shooting two people inside. mar 2 2023 3:01pm. [126] The area included attractions such as Kings Mill Log Flume and Shawnee Landing, a canoe ride in a part of Rivertown known as Kenton's Cove.[13][104]. But like most other amusement parks across the nation that have been in operation for decades, Kings Island has seen both happen on very rare occasions. On September 10, 1983, a 13-year-old boy died after being found unconscious and slumped over in his seat after riding the coaster. The park was closed and evacuated three hours early. A backup electrical system was installed to prevent future occurrences. It's been just about a year since it was closed. On April 24, 2014, a 23-year-old worker had his foot crushed by a forklift during the construction of a new water slide complex attraction called Snake Pit. What Cedar Point has said is that, "While we do not comment on specific personnel matters as we protect the privacy of our associates, we feel it is important to reiterate that every associate who feels unsafe in any way is welcome, without exception, to discuss with management. I guess we just needed to see it again. [97][95] These tv stations are suing Cedar Point to release their investigations and records because all police departments in the state of Ohio need to make those public record. [37][38] CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said that despite the health and profitability of its Paramount Parks business, it was "one that just doesn't fit our core strategy". [115][116] Kings Island's Planet Snoopy was also the largest in the Cedar Fair chain until 2013, when Kings Dominion doubled the size of its Planet Snoopy section.[117]. There are inherent risks in riding any amusement ride. The first was killed when he left his jeep type vehicle in the lion enclosure. The worst day in park history was Sunday, June 9, 1991 when three park visitors died and one was hospitalized. Hardly a day goes by that you don't hear about a tractor-trailer involved in a highway accident. Kings Island partnered with Arrow Development, an amusement ride company well known for its work at Disneyland and Disney World,[21] to develop a unique roller coaster concept. Some Kings Island visitors claimed to see . Karl Wallenda's Final, Fatal Walk A park spokesperson claimed that the accident occurred due to a brake malfunction on one of the trains as it rear-ended into another. On September 4, 1911, multiple passengers suffered minor injuries after two cars collided. The accident happened around 4:45 p.m. yesterday. In addition, Kings Island has won Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today for having the "Best Kids' Area" in the world for eighteen consecutive years (20012018) as well as "Best New Ride" in 2017 for Mystic Timbers. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and died the following day. 2023: Adventure Port is added as the park's newest area replacing Oktoberfest. Eyewitnesses claimed to see the girl lift the restraints. Formerly known as. [24] Three years later in 1987, Kings Island was sold individually to American Financial Corporation, led by Carl Lindner. One person was arrested while others suffered minor injuries and some were taken to the hospital. On May 28, 2018, Cedar Point suffered a park-wide power failure, caused by a car hitting a nearby utility pole outside the park. His body was found overnight by a construction worker after the park's closing. One 9-year-old died and the other fell safely onto an emergency platform. [48] On February 8, 2010, Mason City Council voted 51 against the measure. Kings Island to debut new themed area in 2023", "Kings Island unleashes Banshee, world's longest inverted coaster", "Take a ride to Orion on Kings Islands 2020 giga coaster", "Ohio theme park unveils Orion, a 'giga coaster' with a 300-foot drop", "Kings Island announces new space-themed coaster Orion, with 300-foot first hill", "Update: This Roller Coaster Is On Its Way Out At Kings Island", "Video: Kings Island's Firehawk roller coaster comes crashing down", "Kings Island files blueprints for new coaster", "Kings Island celebrating 40th anniversary", "Riding History To The Limits International Appeal", "Waagner-Biro | Double and Triple Wheels", "Waagner Biro Double and Triple Tree Wheels", "Top 10 roller coasters at Ohio's Kings Island", "Kings Island to Retire Vortex After 33 Seasons", "Carowinds new 'flying machine' sends riders 30 stories up", "Kings Island 2019: We got a sneak peek at this season's new attractions. On July 5, 2022, a 6-year-old girl was pulled by lifeguards from the Coconut Cove pool where she was drowning.