Roller coaster death and injuries leave fans asking whether the thrill is worth the risk

The death of a 42-year-old man on a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia this week has raised important questions about amusement park safety. The tragic incident follows reports of serious injuries on other roller coasters, including riders who required emergency brain surgery .

Roller coasters are designed to deliver thrills through sudden drops, sharp turns and rapid changes in speed, but what kinds of injuries can these forces cause? How common are these injuries. Are some people more vulnerable than others? And is the thrill worth the risk?

With Six Flags Over Georgia set to reopen Friday, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen to help us understand the potential health risks of roller coasters and what riders should know before getting on one. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.

CNN: How safe are roller coasters? What types of serious injuries are the most common?

Dr. Leana Wen: Serious injuries on roller coasters are uncommon when taking into account the enormous number of rides taken every year. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the chance of sustaining a serious injury on a ride at a fixed-site US amusement park is approximately one in 15.5 million rides.

This statistic is limited because it includes all amusement park rides, not only roller coasters. Also, not every injury is necessarily reported. Moreover, people should be aware that this data comes from an industry-sponsored entity. There is no independent national database capturing every amusement park injury and death.

As for types of serious injuries, most are related to the fact that roller coasters expose riders to substantial physical forces. These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration. Severe injuries can occur because of the forces experienced during a ride, collisions, problems with restraints or other mechanical and operational incidents.

It is necessary to distinguish the cause of an injury from the circumstances in which it occurred. The investigation into the death at Six Flags Over Georgia is ongoing and we currently don’t know if the cause of that tragedy is the same as the mechanism behind the brain injuries reported on another Six Flags roller coaster.

CNN: How can someone sustain a serious brain injury on a roller coaster without hitting their head?

Wen: A direct blow to the head can cause traumatic brain injury, but so can rapid acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction that lead to the head moving abruptly. The brain is suspended in fluid inside the skull, and sudden movement can cause the brain to shift relative to the surrounding structures.

One possible injury is a subdural hematoma , which is bleeding between the brain and its outer protective covering putting pressure on the brain. This very serious injury was what was sustained by several riders after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, including two who required emergency brain surgery .

Other possible injuries include concussions and damage to brain tissue caused by rapid movement within the skull. Sudden forces can also cause bleeding in other areas around or within the brain. In some cases, symptoms can resolve with time; in others, there may be permanent neurological damage or death.

CNN: What other kinds of injuries can roller coasters cause?

Wen: Roller coasters’ jerking movements can strain the muscles and ligaments supporting the neck, producing symptoms similar to whiplash after a car accident that include neck pain, stiffness and headaches. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others develop over the evening and the following day. Most uncomplicated muscle strains improve with symptomatic treatment, but some could develop neurological complications.

Even more common but less serious, roller coasters can provoke dizziness, nausea and motion sickness. These symptoms occur because the brain receives conflicting information from the eyes and the balance organs in the inner ear. They usually resolve not long after the ride ends.

A much rarer but extremely serious potential consequence is cervical artery dissection . This occurs when a tear develops in the inner lining of an artery supplying blood to the brain. Sudden neck movements can contribute to this injury, and there have been case reports of dissections following roller coaster rides. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause a stroke.

Graphic by Annette Choi, CNN/Nearmap

They braved a world-famous Six Flags roller coaster. Then they were rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery

CNN: Are certain people at higher risk of injury from roller coasters?

Wen: Yes. People with certain medical conditions should be particularly cautious about intense, high-speed rides. Those with significant neck or back problems, spinal instability or recent orthopedic injuries may be more vulnerable to worsening pain or additional injury. Someone recovering from surgery should check with their surgeon before participating in roller coaster rides.

People with cardiovascular conditions also need to consider the physical and emotional stress of the ride and whether the excitement and sudden changes in motion can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Individuals with unstable heart disease, serious arrhythmias or poorly controlled high blood pressure should avoid rides that warn against these conditions.

Similarly, people who have known brain aneurysms, prior strokes or serious neurological conditions should consult their physicians before going on these rides. People taking blood-thinning medications also need to take additional caution because there is increased risk of bleeding should they experience an injury.

There are other special categories of more vulnerable people, including pregnant women, who should avoid high-intensity roller coasters because of the abrupt movements and acceleration forces. Families with children should also check carefully that the kids meet the ride’s height and restraint requirements, which are designed to ensure that the safety equipment fits correctly.

CNN: What symptoms after riding a roller coaster should prompt medical attention?

Wen: Anyone who develops a sudden, severe headache, especially one unlike any headache they have experienced before, should seek emergency medical care. The same applies to a headache accompanied by repeated vomiting, confusion, unusual sleepiness or changes in vision.

Stroke symptoms also require immediate attention. These include sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, loss of balance or trouble walking. Severe or unusual neck pain, particularly when accompanied by a headache, dizziness or neurological symptoms, could indicate cervical artery dissection. Head to the nearest hospital. You can also let the staff at the amusement park know; they can assist you in locating the nearest emergency room or in calling 911. Those symptoms need emergent evaluation.

Keep in mind that symptoms can emerge after you’ve finished the rides and left the amusement park. A person who develops a persistent or worsening headache or neck pain hours after a ride should not assume that it’s motion sickness or a neck strain. They need to get urgent medical attention.

CNN: What precautions should people take to reduce their risk of injury?

Wen: In general, people who have underlying medical issues should receive medical clearance from their clinicians so that they know what type of rides they may want to avoid at the amusement park.

Before boarding, read the ride’s posted safety requirements and health warnings. Do not ride if you do not meet the height or other physical requirements, or if you have a medical condition specifically listed as a reason to avoid the attraction.

CNN: Given these incidents, should most people stop riding roller coasters?

Wen: I think people should take into account the fact is that millions of people enjoy amusement parks every year without sustaining injuries. The available statistics indicate that severe injuries are rare.

At the same time, people should recognize that roller coasters, especially the ones involving high speeds and lots of sudden turns and twists, are not risk-free. There are many ways to enjoy amusement parks without going on the fastest or most intense rides. Families can choose attractions based on their preferences and comfort levels.

本周，一名42岁男子在佐治亚州六旗游乐园的过山车上丧生，引发了人们对游乐园安全问题的关注。此前已有报道称，其他过山车也发生过严重伤亡事故，其中一些乘客甚至需要紧急脑部手术。

过山车旨在通过突然俯冲、急转弯和速度的快速变化来带来刺激，但这些冲击力会造成哪些类型的伤害？这些伤害有多常见？某些人是否比其他人更容易受伤？这种刺激值得冒险吗？

佐治亚州六旗乐园将于周五重新开放，我采访了CNN健康专家莉娜·温博士，以帮助我们了解过山车的潜在健康风险以及游客在乘坐前应该了解哪些信息。温博士是乔治·华盛顿大学的急诊医生和临床副教授，她曾担任巴尔的摩市卫生局局长。

CNN：过山车安全吗？最常见的严重伤害类型有哪些？

莉娜·温博士：考虑到每年乘坐过山车的人数众多，发生严重伤害的情况并不常见。根据国际游乐园及景点协会的数据，在美国固定场地游乐园乘坐过山车发生严重伤害的概率约为1550万分之一。

这项统计数据存在局限性，因为它涵盖了所有游乐园项目，而不仅仅是过山车。此外，并非所有受伤事件都会被上报。而且，人们应该意识到，这些数据来自一个由行业赞助的机构。目前还没有独立的全国性数据库记录所有游乐园的伤亡事故。

至于严重伤害的类型，大多数都与过山车使乘客承受巨大物理力有关。这些力包括重力，通常被称为G力，它会增加或减少乘客在快速加速和减速时身体所感受到的压力。严重伤害可能由乘坐过程中受到的力、碰撞、安全装置故障或其他机械和操作事故引起。

必须将受伤原因与受伤时的具体情况区分开来。目前，对佐治亚州六旗乐园死亡事件的调查仍在进行中，我们尚不清楚该悲剧的起因是否与另一起六旗过山车事故中报告的脑损伤机制相同。

CNN：一个人乘坐过山车时，头部没有受到撞击，怎么会遭受严重的脑损伤？

温：头部直接受到撞击会造成创伤性脑损伤，但快速加速、减速以及导致头部突然移动的方向改变也会造成同样的损伤。大脑悬浮在颅骨内的液体中，突然的运动会导致大脑相对于周围结构发生移位。

其中一种可能的损伤是硬膜下血肿，即脑组织与其外层保护膜之间的出血，导致脑组织受压。这种非常严重的损伤曾导致多名游客在加州六旗魔术山乐园乘坐X2过山车后受伤，其中两人需要紧急脑部手术。

其他可能的损伤包括脑震荡和颅内快速运动造成的脑组织损伤。突然的冲击力也可能导致脑部周围或内部其他区域出血。在某些情况下，症状会随着时间推移而消退；而在另一些情况下，则可能造成永久性神经损伤甚至死亡。

CNN：过山车还会造成哪些其他类型的伤害？

温：过山车剧烈的颠簸会拉伤颈部肌肉和韧带，产生类似车祸后颈椎扭伤的症状，包括颈部疼痛、僵硬和头痛。有些症状会立即出现，而有些则会在当晚或第二天逐渐发展。大多数单纯的肌肉拉伤通过对症治疗即可好转，但有些可能会发展成神经系统并发症。

更常见但程度较轻的是，过山车也会引起头晕、恶心和晕动病。这些症状的出现是因为大脑接收到来自眼睛和内耳平衡器官的相互矛盾的信息。通常情况下，这些症状会在乘坐结束后不久消失。

颈动脉夹层是一种更为罕见但极其严重的潜在后果。当为大脑供血的动脉内膜发生撕裂时，就会发生这种情况。颈部突然运动可能导致这种损伤，已有乘坐过山车后发生颈动脉夹层的病例报告。这是一种可能危及生命的疾病，并可能导致中风。

图表由 Annette Choi 提供，CNN/Nearmap

他们勇敢地乘坐了世界闻名的六旗游乐园过山车。之后，他们被紧急送往医院接受脑部手术。

CNN：某些人群乘坐过山车受伤的风险是否更高？

温：是的。患有某些疾病的人尤其应该谨慎乘坐刺激性强、速度快的游乐设施。颈部或背部问题严重、脊柱不稳定或近期有骨科损伤的人更容易出现疼痛加剧或再次受伤的情况。术后恢复期的人在乘坐过山车前应该咨询他们的外科医生。

患有心血管疾病的人还需要考虑游乐设施带来的生理和心理压力，以及刺激和突然的运动变化是否会加快心率和升高血压。患有不稳定型心脏病、严重心律失常或高血压控制不佳的人应避免乘坐标有相关警告的游乐设施。

同样，已知患有脑动脉瘤、中风或其他严重神经系统疾病的人在乘坐这些游乐设施前应咨询医生。服用抗凝血药物的人也需要格外小心，因为一旦受伤，出血风险会增加。

还有其他一些特殊人群，例如孕妇，由于过山车剧烈的运动和加速度，她们应该避免乘坐高强度过山车。有孩子的家庭也应该仔细检查孩子的身高和安全带要求，这些要求旨在确保安全设备能够正确佩戴。

CNN：乘坐过山车后出现哪些症状应该就医？

温：任何人如果突然出现剧烈头痛，尤其是与以往任何头痛都不同的头痛，都应该立即就医。如果头痛伴有反复呕吐、意识混乱、异常嗜睡或视力改变，也应立即就医。

中风症状也需要立即就医。这些症状包括突然出现虚弱或麻木，尤其是一侧肢体；说话困难；面部下垂；失去平衡或行走困难。剧烈或异常的颈部疼痛，尤其伴有头痛、头晕或神经系统症状时，可能提示颈动脉夹层。请立即前往最近的医院。您也可以告知游乐园的工作人员；他们可以帮助您找到最近的急诊室或拨打911。这些症状需要紧急评估。

请记住，症状可能在您游玩完所有游乐设施离开游乐园后出现。如果在游玩数小时后出现持续性或加剧的头痛或颈部疼痛，切勿想当然地认为是晕动病或颈部拉伤，而应立即就医。

CNN：人们应该采取哪些预防措施来降低受伤风险？

温：一般来说，有基础疾病的人应该从他们的临床医生那里获得医疗许可，以便他们知道在游乐园里应该避免哪些类型的游乐设施。

乘坐前，请阅读游乐设施张贴的安全须知和健康警告。如果您身高或其他身体条件不符合要求，或者患有列明不宜乘坐该游乐设施的疾病，请勿乘坐。

CNN：鉴于这些事故，大多数人是否应该停止乘坐过山车？

温：我认为大家应该考虑到，每年有数百万人去游乐园游玩而没有受伤。现有统计数据显示，严重受伤的情况很少见。

与此同时，人们也应该意识到，过山车，尤其是那些速度极快、急转弯频繁的过山车，并非完全没有风险。游乐园里有很多种游玩方式，并不一定非要选择速度最快或最刺激的游乐设施。家庭可以根据自己的喜好和舒适度选择合适的游乐项目。