This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at amusement parks, water parks or other attractions owned and/or operated by Herschend. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy.
The term incidents refers to major accidents, injuries, or deaths that occur at a Herschend-owned or -operated facility. While these incidents were required to be reported to regulatory authorities due to where they occurred, they usually fall into one of the following categories: Caused by negligence on the part of the guest. This can be a refusal to follow specific ride safety instructions, or deliberate intent to break park rules. The result of a guest's known, or unknown, health issues. Negligence on the part of the park, either by ride operator or maintenance. Act of God or a generic accident (e.g. slipping and falling), that is not a direct result of an action on anybody's part.
Adventureland (Iowa)
Dragon
On June 8, 1991, four riders were injured when the chain lift broke. All of them were released from the hospital after treatment of their injuries; the ride was repaired. On August 5, 2018, an employee was struck by a roller coaster car and was hospitalized with injuries to his arm. The park was fined over $37,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following the incident.
Lighthouse On August 23, 1978, a 15-year-old employee suffered head injuries when he backed into the ride while it was still in motion.
Raging River On June 7, 2016, a 68-year-old Oklahoma man started working at the park as a seasonal employee. On his sixth day, he fell into the conveyor belt which moved the boats through the loading station, suffered a traumatic brain injury, and later fell into a coma. He was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines and died three days later from his injuries. On July 3, 2021, a raft on Raging River carrying six passengers overturned, sending four guests to a local hospital with severe injuries. One passenger, an 11-year-old boy, later died. The ride was inspected the day before the incident and was found to be in normal working order. A trial was held in June 2025.
Sky Seats On August 19, 1990, an 18-year-old park employee remained in serious condition at Methodist Medical Center after losing his arm when he got it stuck in the ride's mechanism while trying to retrieve his cigarette lighter.
Tornado
On July 24, 2006, three people were injured when a piece of wood left over from ride inspections fell onto the car in which they were riding. One person was treated at the park's first aid center, another at a local hospital, and the third left without being hospitalized.
The Underground
On July 30, 2019, a child's foot became lodged between the ride's vehicle and the loading platform. An operator emergency stopped the ride and the park's security staff called EMS to help get the child off the ride. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for ankle injuries. The ride was inspected and found to be operating normally.
Dollywood
Dollywood Express On April 14, 2004, a female passenger fell out of one of the train's carriages while it was in motion. An investigation determined that a drink was spilled on the woman, who then lost her balance and fell out of the train. The attraction was closed after the incident but was re-opened the next day after it was determined to be operating normally. The passenger was taken to UT Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was released a day later. On October 18, 2020, Locomotive No. 70 was being prepped for service when a grease fire started on the side of the engine, the fire was quickly put out and there were no injuries that occurred. On October 1, 2023, one of the steam locomotives was hauling a passenger train around the park when one of the passenger cars derailed due to a mechanical issue of a track switch, there were no injuries and the passengers were safety evacuated.
FireChaser Express
On April 23, 2019, 40 passengers were stranded for 20 minutes when the safety sensor tripped. On May 22, 2021, at approximately 2:50 P.M, two full trains of passengers were stranded for two hours after a flywheel was flung from the switch track just outside of the ride's station.
Lightning Rod
On June 13, 2016, after grand opening, the coaster was shut down temporarily due to a nation-wide mechanical recall.
Mountain Blown Glass Shop On July 12, 2020, a craftsman suffered injuries while working on a project inside the shop. It was the second incident that occurred at the park during that year, occurring only a day after a themed decoration fell on top of three people.
Parking lot On June 29, 2019, a parking lot tram collided with another, injuring at least 22 guests. Six people were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
Thunder Express In 1989, on opening day, an incoming train bumped a second train parked in the station, slightly injuring 18 people.
Timber Tower On June 18, 2007, 44 people were stuck on Timber Tower for several hours.
Waltzing Swinger In December 2013, a woman suffered a brain injury after falling from the ride.
Wilderness Pass On July 11, 2020, three guests were injured when a chain decoration fell on top of them as they were walking in the themed area of the park near the Mystery Mine attraction. Two of them were taken to the hospital while another person, who was also involved in the incident, declined transport.
Dutch Wonderland
Sky ride On July 19, 2008, a 44-year-old woman from Ann Arbor, Michigan, lost about a centimeter off the tip of her left index finger when it was caught in the safety bar.
Idlewild
Rollo Coaster On August 12, 2016, a 3-year-old boy was injured when he fell out of the coaster train. He was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. The ride remained closed for two years before reopening again to the public in 2018 with new coaster trains and improved safety features.
Kennywood
Aero 360 On May 30, 2022, multiple riders were left suspended upside-down in midair when the ride stopped unexpectedly. Maintenance workers returned the ride to its loading position after several minutes. No injuries were reported, though 3 passengers visited the park's first aid office as precaution. The ride was closed for nearly one month for inspection following the incident.
Cuddle Up On May 30, 1979, a 6-year-old boy was thrown from the cup-shaped car after putting his arms up. He later died from his injuries at Braddock General Hospital. On March 18, 1980, his mother won $20,000 in a court settlement alleging wrongful death. Though it was unclear how the accident occurred, the park added safety measures to the ride vehicles and increased its height requirement.
Jack Rabbit
On August 18, 2016, a 13-year-old boy collapsed while waiting in line to ride the roller coaster. He was treated by paramedics once they arrived and was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital by ambulance.
Journey with Thomas On July 31, 2018, soon after the grand opening of the area called Thomas Town, the railway train derailed. No guests were injured, but the ride closed for examination and repairs. On August 2, 2018, the Thomas Town train derailed for the second time in a week. No injuries were reported.
King Kahuna On July 6, 2008, twenty riders were stranded upside down for ten minutes when the ride malfunctioned and unexpectedly stopped for an undetermined reason. One of the riders sued Kennywood for negligence, claiming that the ride caused spinal damage. On March 26, 2013, a jury ruled that the plaintiff had a pre-existing spinal condition, and that any injury she suffered was not due to the ride.
Grand Carousel (Merry-Go-Round) On August 8, 2020, a woman was taken to the hospital after having a “non-ride related medical emergency” near the attraction.
Pirate On August 1, 2018, several passengers were stuck on the ride when it malfunctioned after its brakes failed, causing it to keep swinging with them on board. The operator maintaining the ride couldn't make it stop and had to wait for about 10 minutes in order for it to respond. No injuries were reported, but some guests that were riding when they got off were complaining of being nauseated and other situations.
Popover On August 7, 1968, a 15-year-old girl from Monongahela, Pennsylvania died and another 15-year-old girl from Monessen, Pennsylvania was seriously injured after falling from the ride when a bolt supporting one of the cages broke.
Raging Rapids On July 25, 1989, two rafts collided, throwing passengers off the ride. A park spokesperson reported human error as the cause. The ride temporarily ceased operation that same day and reopened the next day after safety inspections were made. On May 12, 1991, six teenagers were injured when a raft overturned. The accident occurred in 2.5 feet of water and all but one of the riders were treated and released from McKeesport Hospital. The sixth was admitted due to a strained arm and wrist along with swallowing some water. In 2012, a 51-year-old woman suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung after riding. On July 2, 2017, a man's eye became infected by a microsporidia parasite. He underwent surgery to remove the parasite, but the operation was only partially successful. A lawsuit was filed claiming the ride's water was "dirty, stagnant, and sludge-like".
Steel Phantom On May 12, 1991, two days after its grand opening, the ride was temporarily shut down for maintenance after several riders complained of neck pain. Park officials determined it was running too fast. Trim brakes were added to slow it down and the coaster reopened on May 23, 1991.
Swing Around
On July 12, 2002, the ride continuously ran its cycle for nearly 30 minutes with passengers onboard after a power surge caused a malfunction that prevented the ride from being stopped. The cycle began around 10:10pm and ended around 10:38pm. Before the incident, ride operators ran a test cycle which functioned normally. Deeming the ride in working order, the operators allowed passengers aboard. The ride was eventually safely brought to stop with assistance from a Kennywood supervisor. According to a park source, a similar malfunction occurred a few years earlier. No injuries were reported, but a few riders were nauseated due to motion sickness.
Thunderbolt On May 17, 1968, a 15-year-old boy from Greensburg, Pennsylvania fell to his death after standing up on the ride. On July 9, 1999, there was an accident on the Thunderbolt when operators failed to brake an incoming train, which collided with the train being loaded. 35 people were injured in the crash. After the accident, the headlights on the cars were partially removed because the electrical system did not hold up well against the vibration of the cars.
The Whip On May 31, 2002, a 29-year-old woman from Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was killed when the wooden roof of the pavilion housing The Whip collapsed during a microburst, pinning her against an iron fence. In 2007, the woman's family was awarded $1.2 million in damages. In 2010, both Kennywood and Landau Building Co., the contractor that built the pavilion, were found liable and paid $1.295 million and $650,000 to the family, respectively.
Kentucky Kingdom
Chang On April 5, 1997, one day after the ride's official grand opening, a malfunction occurred on the lift hill chain, abruptly stopping the coaster train on its incline and necessitating an evacuation of passengers. The ride was temporarily shut down and remained closed for the remainder of the week.
Hurricane Bay On June 22, 2019, three people were riding the Deluge waterslide when their raft grazed an empty raft that was being removed. One of the riders was taken to a nearby hospital after complaining of neck pain.
Mile High Falls