Japan Rollercoaster Thrillseekers Shut Down After Breaking Bones


The Do-Dodonpa roller coaster in Japan has been one of Fuji-Q Highland Park’s award-winning fixtures since it opened in 2001, with views of Mount Fuji.

One of the fastest roller coasters in the world, the Do-Dodonpa can accelerate to 112 miles per hour without stopping in 1.56 seconds.

But local government officials in Yamanashi Prefecture said last week that the roller coaster would be shut down for safety inspections after four passengers reported neck and spine fractures.

Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki has criticized the operators of the park, located about 75 miles southwest of Tokyo, for failing to take security measures or notify the government sooner.

“I think some accidents could have been avoided if they had reported it earlier and had taken appropriate precautions,” Mr. Nagasaki said at a news conference on Friday.

Two women and two men in their 30s and 50s suffered neck or spine fractures between December and this month, according to data from Yamanashi Prefecture.

Fuji-Q Highland spokesperson Kimie Konishi said the park had inspected the tracks and equipment and studied the speed of the roller coaster after passengers reported injuries, but found no problems. Park officials reported every accident to the police, he said, but did not bring the reports directly to the government until the fourth accident on Aug.

“We should have let you know sooner,” he said in a phone call. Now we wish the injured to recover as soon as possible,” he said.

Ms Konishi added that she had instructed all passengers to maintain contact with the head and backrests, but some of the injured passengers told the park staff that they may have bent forward during the ride.



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