A day of family fun at Six Flags Over Texas turned into tragedy when a woman fell to her death from the Texas Giant, one of the park’s most iconic roller coasters. The ride, known for its towering 14-story drops and steep angles, was immediately shut down following the incident.
Witnesses reported that the woman had boarded the coaster with her daughter and son-in-law on Friday evening. As the train ascended the first major drop, witnesses say her restraint allegedly “released,” causing her to fall from the ride. Her family members could be heard screaming in panic as the coaster continued its course.
One witness told The Dallas Morning News that the woman had appeared uneasy while boarding the ride and had expressed concern about whether her safety harness was fully secure. Another rider reported that the woman attempted to alert ride operators before the coaster departed the station.
Six Flags released a statement emphasizing that the park is committed to a full investigation into the cause of the accident, saying it would be inappropriate to speculate until all facts are known. “We are committed to determining the cause of this tragic accident. It would be a disservice to the family to speculate,” the statement read.
This is not the first safety issue associated with the Texas Giant. Two years earlier, riders were left stranded 14 stories in the air after the coaster stalled at its peak, requiring a lengthy rescue operation. Although no injuries occurred during that incident, it raised concerns about the ride’s reliability.
Following Friday’s tragedy, the Texas Giant has been shut down indefinitely. Meanwhile, the amusement park community and industry safety experts are awaiting official findings from investigators to determine what went wrong on a ride trusted by thousands.
