Accidents happen unexpectedly but they can be avoided. Amusement parks, for the thrill that comes with their dangerous rides, have seen a share of accidents every year. Sadly enough, there are still some states in the U.S. without park regulations, including Alabama.
Recently, Caleb Thomas Schwab, a ten-year-old boy died in a waterslide at an amusement park in Kansas, Alabama. But in spite of the accident, Alabama remains to be one of the six states that don't get amusement parks inspected by federal authorities (via Times Free Press).
Rather, parks are allowed to conduct their own inspections. According to ABC News, Alabama only randomly audits operators' inspection records and no additional local safety regulations are imposed on Schlitterbahn Waterpark, where the ten-year-old boy met his accidental death.
Caleb Schwab was killed last August 7 when he died at the said park's "Verruckt," a waterslide that is 168-foot long, the tallest in the world. No details were disclosed on how the 10-year-old boy died. Verruckt is German for "Insane" and would be closed for the rest of the season (via ABC News).
Director of Alabama Department of Public Health's Bureau of Health Promotion and the Chronic Disease Bureau, Dr. Jim McVay, doesn't expect any changes on the inspection system of the state. An accident like Schwab's is a "very unique case" according to the director (via Times Free Press).
As per CNN, amusement park advocates say that accidents in said parks are rarer than deaths caused by lightning. Amusement parks are generally safe, according to this group. However, the recent park accidents say otherwise.
335 million people visit 405 amusement parks every year in the U.S. It has provided annual jobs to a 100,000 people and seasonal employment to 500,000. Nevertheless, it also causes an average 2.5 deaths a year and more than a thousand injuries to riders.
While the economic benefits may outnumber the accidents, oversight of amusement parks must be addressed. This may at least help assure families, parents and children alike, of the safety of rides before they get aboard.
The other states without amusement park regulations are Mississippi, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. These states have few amusement parks while Wyoming has none.
Watch the video below to see a compilation of the ten most dangerous amusement park rides. Sound off your thoughts on the Comments section and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
