Let's get one thing clear, Roller coasters are statistically very, very, very safe. Think about it: Out of the millions of people that ride the thousands of rides every year, there are only a small handful of incidents. You are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident driving to the park than having an accident on a ride. Fact.

Reputable theme parks check all of their rides daily. The coaster track is "walked" and inspected as are all the other important elements, such as winch cables and chains. One slight imperfection could cause an accident, and no theme park wants that to happen. Strict Health & Safety governing bodies also have the power to close a ride, or park, if they are considered unsafe.

Having said all that, theme park accidents still happen...

January - Maihime, Tokyo Dome City, Japan
A 34 year old man died when he was ejected from the ride. Source.

March - Primeval Whirl, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA
A worker died when we was struck by a moving car whilst carrying out maintenance. Source.

April - Python Pit, Go Bananas, Chicago, USA
A 3 year old boy died after falling from a kiddie coaster. Source.

April - Big Thunder Mountain, Disneyland Paris, France
Scenery from the ride fell on the track causing the train to derail. Five people were inured. Source.

May - Black Mamba, Phantasialand, Brühl, Germany
A 48 year old suffered a heart attack mid-ride and was dead when the train returned to the station. Source.

June - WildCat, Cedar Point, Ohio, USA
Seven people suffered bumps and bruises when the trains collided in the station. Source.

July - Ride of Steel, Darien Lake, New York, USA
A 29 year old fell out of the ride and died. The rider was a double leg amputee... Source.

August - Excalibur II, Camelot, Lancashire, UK
A 12 year old buy suffered serious but not life threatening injuries when he fell from the ride. Source.

August - Surf Rider, Bottons, Lincolnshire, UK
22 riders were stuck for up to an hour when one of the rides axels snapped. One woman suffered serious injuries. Source.

August - Dragon Challenge, Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA
A man riding on the front row of of one of the 2 Dragon Challenge coasters was hit in the eye by a mystery object, presumed to be a loose article dropped by a rider on the other side of the roller coaster. Source.

August - Dragon Challenge, Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA
Only weeks later, another rider was hit by a mystery object on the ride. This time they reported being hit in the foot, arm and face which drew blood. Following the two incidents, Dragon Challenge will never duel again. Source.

October - River Rapids, West Park, Wenzhou, China
A 10 year old boy died after falling out of a river rapids boat and becoming trapped in the conveyor which lifts the boats back to the station. Source.

March - Tomorrowland Speedway, Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
A worker broke his leg when a rider crashed a go-kart. Source. 
 
April - Expedition GeForce, Holiday Park, Hasslock, Germany
Riders were stranded for several hours after the train derailed. No seriously injuries were reported.


May - Antelope, Gullivers Warrington, Cheshire, UK
A woman suffered whiplash injuries when the ride came to a halt. Source.

June - Monte Aurora, Terra Encantada, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
A 61 year old woman fell 30ft to her death after the restraints opened mid-ride.

July - El Pendulo, Tibidabo, Barcelona, Spain
A 15 year old girl died and two others were injured when the ride collapsed. Source.


July - Space Journey, Overseas Chinese Town East, Shenzhen, China
Six people died when one of the ride pods detached itself from the ride. Source.

July - Cosmonaut, Luna Park, St. Petersburg, Russia
One of the two cables supporting a "captive flying machine" style ride snapped leaving 10 riders dangling in mid-air.


August - Tower of Terror, Disneyland, California, USA
A drunk 20 year old man was slightly injured when the fell 20ft whilst messing around. Source.

October - It's A Small World, Disneyland Paris, France
A worker was trapped under a boat when the ride inadvertently started. He later died in hospital. Source.

October - Pony Express, Knott's Berry Farm, California, USA
Two trains collided causing 10 people to suffer minor injuries.

Novemeber - The Octopus, Adhari Park, Bahrain
A girl fell from the ride breaking her leg. Source. 

May - Tomahwk, PortAventura, Spain
A 55 year old worker died when he was run over by the coaster train. Source.

June - Holiday World, Indiana, USA
A filter pump malfunction in a water ride caused fumes that sent 42 people to a hospital with
breathing troubles.

July - Dueling Dragons, Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA
A worker was hit by an oncoming train. He survived and the park ended up being fined. Source.

July - Monorail, Disney World, Florida, USA
Two trains collided head on killing one of the drivers and inuring several others. Source. The video
below contains distressing images.

August - Firehawk, Kings Island, Ohio, USA
A man died from an undiagnosed medical condition after riding the coaster.

August - Big Dipper, Pleasure Beach Blackpool, UK
Two coaster trains collided inuring 21 people. Source.

September - Xcelerator, Knott's Berry Farm, California, USA
The launch cable (the part that makes the train move fast) snapped inuring two people. Here you
can see a video of it! (Don't worry, it's not gruesome.)

This Rainbow ride collapsed, causing some riders to be thrown from the platform. There were no serious injuries, although three riders were hospitalised. The ride was later removed. Source.

Image from CBS News

August - Ninja, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California
A 20 year old man was hit by the coaster when he entered a restricted area, climbing two fences to retrieve a lost hat.

October - Inverter, South Carolina State Fair, Columbia, South Carolina
A worker was crushed by the large counter weight attached to the ride when he entered a danger zone at the bottom of the ride in an attempt to retrieve a tape measure.

April - Extreme Racers, Legoland, Billund, Denmark
A 21 year old male employee died after being struck by a coaster train when retrieving a guest's wallet from behind a restricted area security fence.

May - Fujin Raijin II, Expoland, Osoka, Japan
One woman died and 21 were injured when the ride broke from it's axle and jumped the track.

Image from Fox News report


June - Superman Tower of Power, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, KY, USA
A 13 year old girl lost her feet when the cable snapped on this drop tower ride. News article
 

June - Rock 'n Rollercoaster, Disneyland Paris, France
A Spanish teenager fell unconscious and died. Cause of death was an unknown medical condition.

July - The Rat, Loudoun Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland
An 18 year old worker fell 80ft and sustained horrific injuries whilst working on the ride.

July- Air Glory, Wis, USA
A 16-year-old died in hospital after falling from the Skycoaster-style ride. 

July - Python, Eftelin, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Workers narrowly avoided injury as they assist a stalled train that suddenly started to move... (Watch for the quick reactions of the riders!)

August- Octupus, Six Flags America, USA
A 4-year-old girl fell four foot from the ride when she stood up, sustaining minor injuries.   

August- Polar Express, Coney Island, NY, USA
A 15-year-old girl was thrown from the circular ride and sustained injuries from rolling down a hill.

August - Booster, Fete des Loges, Paris, France
A father and son died when the cable came loose causing them to drop to the ground.

October - Indiana Log ride, Siam Park City, Thailand
One woman was killed and five injured when a faulty water pump failed to cushion the boat's decent from a drop. Source.

March - Atlantis Adventure, Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea
A 28 year old ride op fell to his death after riding under the influence of alcohol and not securing the restraint properly.

May - Train, Gullivers Milton Keynes, Beds, UK.
A 56 year old worker died after his head struck a tunnel that the train enters.

May - Wild Thing, Valleyfair, Shakopee, Minnesota, USA
18 riders suffered minor injuries when the train derailed. News report & video

June - Rock n Rollercoaster, Disney-MGM Studios, CA, USA
A 12 year old boy died due to an undiagnosed medical condition brought on by the roller coaster. News report.

July - Runaway Mine Train, Alton Towers, Staffs, UK
29 people were injured when the train separated and crashed into each other. Source.

March - Storybook Land Canal, Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA
A young boy lost the top of his thumb after trapping it between the boat and the station.

May - Bob Express, Bobbejaanland, Brussels, Belgium
25 people suffered minor injuries after two trains collided following an emergency stop!

June - Rita: Queen of Speed, Alton Towers, Staffs, UK
A 12 year old girl claimed that the force of the ride broke both her wrists. News report.

July - California Screamin' , Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA
Two trains collided after a train entering the station failed to stop in the brake run.

August - Lady Bug Coaster, Adventureland, Farmingdale, New York, USA
A ride op died from severe injuries after being struck by an empty train.

January - Men In Black, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA
A boy seriously injured his foot after he kept sticking it outside the car.

February - Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
A worker was killed when he was struck by a float from the parade.

April - Scream, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA
A female employee was struck by a train as she crossed the track in a restricted area.

April - Hydro, Oakwood, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
A 16 year old girl died after falling 100ft due to to rider error and, to some extent, inappropriate restraints.
BBC News Report

May - Superman Ride of Steel, Six Flags New England, Agawam, Massachusetts, USA
A 55 year old man was ejected from the ride mid-ride and died from severe injuries.

June - Magnum Force, Flamingoland, Yorkshire, England, UK
A 32 year old ride op was airlifted to hospital after stepping in front of a moving train.
BBC News Report

July - Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Four riders were injured by flying debris when the launch cable snapped.

July - Joker's Jukebox, Six Flags New Orleans, USA
A 53 woman was killed when she was struck by the ride after leaning over the guard rails to check the security of her grandsons safety belt.

July - Two Face, Six Flag America, Maryland, USA
An electrical failure stranded passengers on the lift hill. No injuries. You can watch footage of this here!

August - Steel Dragon, Nagashima Spaland, Nagashima, Japan
Two riders were injured when the train derailed following a wheel coming loose.

May - Batman The Ride, Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta, USA
A 56 year old employee was killed when he was in a restricted area beneath the train. He was struck by a riders foot.

May - Rainbow Ride, Six Flags Elitch Gardens, Denver, Colorado, USA
A man fell to his death after unfastening his seat belt mid-ride.  News report.

May - Nemesis, Alton Towers, Staffs, England, UK
A young boy was struck by the train after he entered a restricted area. He suffered head injuries.

May - The Whip, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
The ride building collapsed during a storm killing a 30 year old woman and injuring numerous others. Source.

May - Grand Canyon, Phantasialand, Bruehl, Germany
63 people were injured following a fire suspected to have started by a faulty cable.

May - Birdmen, Fujikyu Highland, Fujiyoshida, Japan
2 people were injured when one of the flying trains derailed.

June - Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut, USA
A 23 year old working was killed when he was stuck by a train in the morning's test run.

June - Tree Top Twister, Lightwayer Valley, Ripon, Yorks, England, UK
A 20 year old woman died and three others were injured when two trains collided. BBC News Report

August - Superman Ride of Steel, Six Flags New England, Agawam, Massachusetts, USA
22 people were injured when two trains collided in the station.

September - Perlious Plunge, Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California, USA
A 40 year old woman fell 100ft to her death after not sitting correctly and poor safety checks beforehand.

October - Beast, Paramount's Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Two trains collided in wet weather injuring 20 people.

October - Guantlet, Camelot, Lancs, England, UK
A 59 year old worker was killed when he was struck by a train.

May - Batman Knight Flight, Six Flags Ohio, Aurora, Ohio, USA
A 17 year old ride op was injured when this floorless coaster's loading platform moved out from under her.

June - X:\No Way Out, Thrope Park, Surrey, England, UK
An 11 year old boy was flung from the ride and escaped with slight injuries. Cause of accident unknown.

June - Zach's Zoomer, Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon, Michigan, USA
A 38 year old woman was killed when she fell out mid-ride after turning round to photograph her family.

July - Space Invader, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancs, England, UK
An 11 year old boy died after falling from this enclosed roller coaster.

August - Pepsi Max Big One, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancs, England, UK
14 people were injured when a moving train collided with a stationery train. BBC News Report

November - Splash Mountain, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
A 37 year old man was struck by another boat and died later in hospital after he left his boat mid-ride.

March - Roaring Rapids, Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
One woman drowned and 10 others were injured when a boat capsized trapping passengers underneath.

April - Thunder Road, Paramount's Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Seven people were injured after two trains collided following a brake failure.

May - Superman: Ride of Steel, Six Flags Darien Lake, Darien Center, New York, USA
A man suffered slight injuries when he was ejected mid ride.

June - Super Himalaya, Coney Island Amusement Park in Brooklyn, New York, USA
A 17 year old woman was killed and 8 others were injured when a train left the track, flipped and fell 15ft.

July - Thunder Bolt, Kennywood Amusement Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
35 people were injured when two trains collided.

August - Tornado, Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut, USA
A 16 year old employee got caught from the waist down underneath a train and died in hospital from his injuries.

August - Drop Zone Stunt Tower, Paramount's Great America, Santa Clara, California, USA
A 12 year old boy fell out of this 224ft tower ride. The exact cause of boy's fall and subsequent death is unknown.

August - Boomerang, Six Flags Marine World, San Fransisco, CA, USA
Riders were stranded in 100 degrees Fahrenheit heat when the ride malfunctioned due to technical problems.

August - Paul Bunyan Log Chute, Knott's Camp Snoopy, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
A 12 year old boy fell about 35ft after grabbing a railing on a fixed part of the ride.

August - Screaming Yellow Eagle, Knott's Camp Snoopy, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
An 8 year old girl with heart problems died of a heart attack.

September - Top Gun, Paramount's Great America, Santa Clara, California, USA
A 24 year old man died after entering a restricted area beneath the ride and being struck by a riders foot.

September - Tower of Terror, Disney MGM Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA
20 people were taken to hospital after the lift car malfunctions. Emergency stopping procedures prevented any deaths.

December - Columbia, Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA
A 33 year old man died and two women sustained injuries from a flying piece of metal which broke away.

April - Wildcat, Bell's Amusement Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
One person died and five others were injured when two trains collided following a mechanical failure.

August - Excaliber, Six Flags Astroworld, Houston, Texas, USA
A 51 year old employee dies when he's struck by a train during testing.

May - Revolution, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA
A 25 year old employee was hit by a train and killed as he crossed the tracks in the station.

October - Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California, USA
A 56 year old employee died when he was caught between two steam train cars.

June - Timber Wolf, Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
A 14 year old girl died after falling 25ft due to sitting incorrectly when the ride was in motion.

August - Great Nor'Easter, Morey's Pier, Wildwood, New Jersey, USA
A 36 year old park employee died after being struck by the foot of a passenger traveling overhead.

June - Kings Island, Ohio, USA
Two men died in a pond after being electrocuted trying to save another man.

July - Ferris Wheel, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
A 17 year old man died after a Ferris wheel gondola breaks free caused by the occupants rocking it.

July - Log Flume, Great America, Santa Clara, California, USA
A 9 year old boy tried to exit the boat as it was mid-ride, causing him to get stuck under the boat.

August - Cyclone, Astroland, Coney Island, New York, USA
A park employee stood up on the first drop and fell 30ft to his death.

September - Dragon, Playland, Rye, New York, USA
An 8 year old girl choked to death when chewing gum became lodged at the back of her throat.

June - Lightnin' Loops, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, USA
Negligent ride ops caused a 19 year old woman to fell to her death after the restraints were not checked properly.

June - Mind Bender, Galaxyland, Canada
A wheel sheered off the last car on the train of this Schwarzkopf Triple Looper and the train smashed at high speed into a concrete pillar killing three of the riders.

More Information here.

August - Comet, Lincoln Park, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA
A 27 year old employee died after falling out.

May - Cyclone, Astroland, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, USA
A 29 year old man stands up during the ride and WHACK! Head hits a support. Family attend funeral.

January - Matterhorn, Disneyland, California, USA
Due to a seat belt malfunction, a woman died when she fell out of the train and into the path of another one.

May - Haunted Castle, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, New Jersey, USA
Eight teenagers died in a fire caused by a cigarette lighter igniting the themeing. The lighter was being used after the attractions main lights failed.

July - Rail Blazer, Six Flags Over Mid-America, Eureka, Missouri, USA
A woman falls out mid-ride and plunges 20ft to her death. The exact cause is unknown.

August - Rolling Thunder, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, USA
A 20 year old employee died during testing after not securing his restraint properly.

March - Willard's Whizzer, Marriott's Great America, Santa Clara, California, USA
A 13 year old boy was killed as he boarded a train. Another train coming from behind struck him.