A Texas woman sustained critical injuries after being ejected from a mountain coaster and dragged along the track for up to 30 seconds, according to her attorneys. The incident occurred on August 17 at Copper Mountain, a ski resort west of Denver.
Nicola Parker, 60, was riding the Rocky Mountain Coaster when she was thrown from her cart and became entangled in her seatbelt. The cart continued moving down the 5,800-foot track, which features sharp turns and can reach speeds of 25 mph. Her husband, who was in the cart behind her, witnessed the event.
Parker suffered a separated left shoulder, a broken rib that punctured her left lung, a traumatic brain injury, and deep lacerations. She required immediate hospitalization and transfer to a trauma center. According to her attorneys, she has undergone three surgeries and remains hospitalized as she recovers.
Copper Mountain closed the Rocky Mountain Coaster on the day of the incident. Colorado's Division of Oil & Public Safety, which regulates amusement rides, has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the division stated that if the operator is found to be non-compliant with regulations, it could result in fines or an order to cease operation until violations are corrected.
Parker's attorneys assert that the ride's mechanisms indicate she was not at fault for her injuries. They point to signs on the ride that state the cart automatically stops and beeps if a passenger unfastens their seatbelt. Because the cart did not stop, her attorneys argue it proves Parker's seatbelt was fastened.
"Ms. Parker had her seatbelt fastened at all times and followed all instructions provided by Copper Mountain," said Joseph Bloch, one of her attorneys. "There is simply no way she should have been ejected from the coaster. We look forward to receiving the results of the investigation."
Copper Mountain issued a statement confirming its cooperation with the state investigation and expressed well wishes for the injured guest. The Rocky Mountain Coaster has been in operation since 2017, and state officials report no previous serious injuries associated with the ride. A similar mountain coaster at Purgatory Resort in Durango has also been closed pending investigation.
No lawsuit has been filed yet, as Parker's attorneys are awaiting the outcome of the official investigation before potentially proceeding.