Altoona, Iowa (AP) — Ride by an 11-year-old boy at an Iowa amusement park killed The park owner said it would never reopen in 2021.
Adventureland general manager Bill Lentz said in a letter posted on the park’s website on Friday that after spending months trying to confirm the safety of the Raging River Ride, authorities are planning to release the attraction. said it had decided to permanently close the
“This decision is the result of months of research into our vehicles, working closely with manufacturers to identify the enhancements each needed to meet our operating standards,” Lenz said in a statement. Based on that review, the best way forward is to close the raging river, and focus on enhancing the Adventureland experience elsewhere.”
On July 3, 2021, Michael Jaramillo died and his brother and father were injured after his raft capsized and he was trapped in water. This ride uses a conveyor belt to propel a large circular raft through rapids.
After the boy’s death, the park was sold to Palace Entertainment, and in 2022 Lenz became general manager. Palace Entertainment is the US subsidiary of Madrid-based Parques Reunidos.
Jaramillo clan filed a lawsuit Another claim was filed against Adventureland and its previous owner in June 2022 and against Iowa in September 2022. The previous owner claims the ride was safe.
State officials cited the park in November 2021 for 17 safety violations related to Jaramillo’s death. The Des Moines Register reported that the violations included using Flex Seal instead of an approved patch to fix a leaking raft bladder that maintains the vehicle’s buoyancy, allowing repairs to be done properly. Not documented or tested.
In 2016, 68-year-old seasonal employee Steve Bucher died after falling when his vehicle unexpectedly started moving. He was caught between the boat and the concrete side wall and was repeatedly hit on the head. he died a few days later.