Woman Sues Colorado Amusement Park After Collision on a Ride

A woman is suing an amusement park claiming she suffered permanent injuries after colliding with another rider in an alpine coaster.

Linda Pappas alleged officials at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park failed to warn her someone was stopped in a car in front of her when she was on the “Canyon Flyer,” a ride similar to a roller coaster that allows people to control their speed as they slide on the tracks.

Pappas said in her complaint the collision and her injuries were the result of negligence or carelessness in how the ride was built and operated.

But the owners of the amusement park said in a written statement that Pappas should’ve followed the posted safety instructions and that the collision was her fault.

“If a guest disregards the safety instructions and, as in this case, runs into another car on the tracks, then that guest is responsible for the collision,” said owners Steve and Jeanne Beckley.

The Beckleys said in the written statement they instruct people “to leave sufficient room” between them and the other riders to avoid collisions.

Cars on the “Canyon Flyer” race 3,400 feet through trees and down a mountainside, according to the park’s Web site, which boasts the ride is the first alpine coaster in the U.S. People must sign a release of liability waiver before getting on the ride.

Pappas said she injured her left shoulder, left foot and back. She is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Park owners said there have been more than 300,000 rides on the alpine coaster since 2005 and that they have had “very few” incidents.

Source: Post Independent, www.postindependent.com.