Sure, thrill rides are meant to push limits, but some took things too far—so much so that they had to be shut down for good. We're talking about rides that were so dangerous they led to injuries, lawsuits, and permanent closures. Curious about which ones made the cut? Buckle up as we take a wild ride through the most extreme, ill-fated attractions that had no choice but to be banned forever.
Son of Beast (Kings Island, Ohio)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
When it opened, Son of Beast was the world's tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster, featuring an insane 214-foot drop and a vertical loop. However, structural failures led to a significant accident in 2006, and in 2009, a woman claimed a rough ride caused a serious head injury, which led to its demolition in 2012.
Verrückt (Schlitterbahn, Kansas City)
Credit: flickr
Water slides aren't supposed to be deadly, but Verrückt, which means "insane" in German, was exactly that. At 168 feet, it was the world's tallest water slide, designed to hit speeds of 70 mph. In 2016, a 10-year-old boy was tragically killed when his raft struck a metal bar.
The Catapult (Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Bungee-style rides are already nerve-wracking, but The Catapult took that fear to another level. Riders were strapped into a harness and flung into the air at extreme speeds until, one day, a crucial cable snapped right before takeoff. Two passengers were left hanging as emergency crews rushed in.
Thunder River Rapids Ride (Dreamworld, Australia)
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Thunder River Rapids Ride became one of history's most tragic amusement park accidents. In 2016, a malfunction caused a raft to flip and killed four riders instantly. An investigation revealed serious safety lapses, including a lack of proper emergency systems. The ride was permanently closed, and Dreamworld faced massive fines and lawsuits.
Zipper (Carnival Ride, Various Locations)
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The Zipper looked like a human hamster wheel on steroids. Riders were trapped in a cage that flipped unpredictably while the entire structure rotated. It sounded fun, but not so much when doors started flying open mid-ride. Over the years, multiple riders were ejected due to faulty latches, which even led to fatal accidents. By the early 2000s, safety inspectors had seen enough.
Perilous Plunge (Knott's Berry Farm, California)
Credit: flickr
The 115-foot water drop at Perilous Plunge had a history of safety concerns. Riders were strapped in with only a lap bar on a ride that sent them hurtling down a near-vertical track into a splash pool below. In 2001, a woman fell to her death when her restraint failed.
Opa (Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells)
Credit: flickr
Spinning coasters are meant to be chaotic fun, but Opa had an entirely different reputation. In 2014, a rider was thrown from the coaster when the lap bar failed, suffering serious injuries. State inspectors later found that operators had been ignoring safety regulations, which led to its closure and demolition.
Windjammer Surf Racers (Knott's Berry Farm, California)
Credit: Reddit
Windjammer Surf Racers had significant flaws from the start. Trains frequently stalled mid-ride, causing long delays and rider complaints. Then Knott's Berry Farm sued the manufacturer, claiming it was a defective design. After a few years of operation, the park called it quits and tore everything down.
FearVR: 5150 (Knott's Berry Farm, California, USA)
Credit: Youtube
FearVR: 5150 was a virtual reality horror attraction that placed guests in a psychiatric hospital where a possessed patient ran wild. It created a disturbing narrative that quickly sparked outrage. The use of psychiatric terms drew sharp criticism from mental health advocates and led to its cancellation in 2016.
Black Hole (Alton Towers, Staffordshire, England)
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While the mystery of Black Hole made it a fan favorite, hidden dangers lurked in the shadows. Riders frequently reported neck and back injuries from its tight, unexpected turns, and maintenance problems worsened over time. By 2005, Alton Towers decided it was too risky to keep operating and dismantled the ride for good.
VertiGo (Cedar Point, Ohio, USA & Knott's Berry Farm, California, USA)
Credit: flickr
VertiGo was designed to shoot guests sky-high on a towering slingshot structure. But in 2002, Cedar Point's version made headlines for all the wrong reasons when one of its 265-foot towers suddenly collapsed overnight. Fortunately, no one was on board, but the structural failure was enough to shut down both versions permanently.
The Big Dipper (Battersea Park Fun Fair, London, England)
Credit: X
The Big Dipper at Battersea Park Fun Fair had several technical issues, but the worst came in 1972. A lift chain failure caused a train to roll backward into another car, which led to the death of five children and injured 13 others. The ride was shut down permanently, and Battersea Park Fun Fair itself never recovered, closing in 1974.
Hydro (Oakwood Theme Park, Wales)
Credit: flick
Oakwood Theme Park's Hydro was meant to be an exhilarating splashdown experience, but in 2004, it became the site of a devastating accident. The ride plunged guests down a near-vertical 100-foot drop that only used drop bars. Tragically, a 16-year-old girl was thrown from her seat during the descent and sustained fatal injuries.
