Every Elastic Slingshot Ride Accident - The Most Unsafe Ride Ever Made?

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  • Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
  • Slingshot rides using elastic bands are one of the most unsafe rides you can ride today. They have had countless accidents over their 45 years of existence. This video is an attempt to gather all these accidents and their details in one place. There are undoubtedly more accidents than the ones covered in this video. It's also likely that by the time you're seeing this more accidents have occurred.
    NOTE: When I refer to "right" or "left" I am describing the situation from the riders point of view, not the observer.
    Video about the different types of Slingshot rides: • SlingShot Rides Inform...
    Thanks to Dragonfan for help translating the Dutch accidents
    Sources:
    web.archive.or...
    web.archive.or...
    www.nbcchicago...
    www.italianinsi...
    www.facebook.c...
    7news.com.au/n...
    www.dailymail....
    fox8.com/news/...
    www.smh.com.au...
    www-leparisien...
    www.at5.nl/art...
    www.ad.nl/amst...
    www.tubantia.n...
    www.donaukurie...
    www.blesk.cz/c...
    Videos Used:
    • Raw: Cable Snaps on Sl...
    • LANGUAGE WARNING: Bung...
    • Slingshot ride snaps m...
    • Paris : grosse frayeur...
    • elastiek schiet los
    • Beugel schiet los van ...
    • Eigenaar kermisattract...
    • Weer incident bij kata...
    • Unfall beim Hot Shot a...
    • Ejection Seat
    • Extreme Rides- Slingsh...
    • Extreme Rides- Slingsh...
    • Ejection Seat Ride @ N...
    • The Catapult at Mt. Ol...
    • Ilja and Erik fun jump...
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    Music used under license from Epidemic Sound, songs listed in order:
    Close to U (Instrumental Version) - Katnip
    Dark Console - Autohacker
    Front Man - Heyson

КОМЕНТАРІ • 570

  • @gravitythrills5414
    @gravitythrills5414 Рік тому +1013

    It’s scary how many DOCUMENTED accidents happened on these rides. We don’t even know about them all

    • @dyc02
      @dyc02 Рік тому +23

      almost every accident on rides are documented, even in 3rd world countries

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +169

      That's very true. I'm certain most elastic slingshot accidents are not documented or recorded. In researching this video there were many that had cold trails and only a mention in an old news article.

    • @InceRumul
      @InceRumul Рік тому +19

      Actually, it makes a lot of sense for this kind of ride. It's usually a separate admission, and it only seats 2 people. Both increase the liklihood that other party members are recording the event. Furthermore, these rides often film each ride to sell as souvenirs.

    • @NKdidit.24
      @NKdidit.24 Рік тому

      And idiots keep riding them

    • @ginmar8134
      @ginmar8134 Рік тому +8

      ​@@CoasterCollege Thank God for cell phone cameras.

  • @KobeLoverTatum
    @KobeLoverTatum Рік тому +916

    Its crazy how they're still smiling after the ride literally just broke right in front of them

  • @thecattermat
    @thecattermat Рік тому +566

    i've always told my friends that want to go on slingshots to make sure it's a tensioned cable and not elastic. they always call me a stick in the mud for saying it :/

    • @kriscynical
      @kriscynical Рік тому +364

      They might end up as sticks in the concrete if they don't listen to you.

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +165

      ​@@kriscynical this is an amazing reply 😂

    • @-Ghostess
      @-Ghostess Рік тому +77

      better a stick in the mud than a box under the mud

    • @adambane1719
      @adambane1719 Рік тому +7

      @@kriscynical Hahahahaha..... OMfG ....... ROTFF LMFAO .....lol !!!!!! Kris..... Omg !!!!!
      I haven't laughed that hard since Jesus mounted Olive !

    • @adambane1719
      @adambane1719 Рік тому +5

      "stick in the mud" ?? What are you, 87 ??

  • @kso808
    @kso808 Рік тому +539

    One would think all such elastic band rides would be eliminated worldwide.

    • @x600NitroXpress
      @x600NitroXpress Рік тому +4

      you're more likely to die getting out of the shower

    • @mikusmom
      @mikusmom Рік тому +63

      @@x600NitroXpress yeah, no sh¡t. People shower way more often than going on a slingshot.

    • @Japanlover79
      @Japanlover79 Рік тому +4

      I believe six flags parks removed all of there's

    • @MrJC1
      @MrJC1 Рік тому +7

      ​@@mikusmomwell... you'd hope they shower more anyway but it isn't neccessarily the case. 🤣

    • @xaulted1
      @xaulted1 8 місяців тому +5

      "Worldwide" is quite a bit to ask. Have you seen videos of thrill rides from post-eastern bloc countries or China? Riding a semi tire rolling down a mountain side would be safer.

  • @TimothyChapman
    @TimothyChapman Рік тому +563

    Something tells me there may be a part 2 coming eventually. Seems that nobody knows how to make these rides safe, but most operators seem to know how to respond when the ride breaks down, except for that one that tried to cover-up the break down.

    • @Clay3613
      @Clay3613 Рік тому +11

      Seems like it's mostly on manufacturer causing many of the accidents.

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +79

      Definitely plan on covering elastic slingshot accidents as they happen into the future.

    • @liamcollinson5695
      @liamcollinson5695 Рік тому +20

      I witnessed a snap in 2008 at hull fair in the UK and would never ride one again. It's kind of infamous in my town since literally up to a 100000 people can attend in one night

    • @brandoncole5533
      @brandoncole5533 Рік тому +10

      Maybe it's an inherent design flaw with the methods of launch

    • @thealmightysnark5878
      @thealmightysnark5878 Рік тому +7

      @@brandoncole5533 Indeed, I don't understand why the capsule is not latched with hydraulic hooks that keep it in place and only release it to the magnetic launch control device once everything else is secured in place for launch? There's some design decisions that I cannot agree with.

  • @vectorwolf
    @vectorwolf Рік тому +138

    Watching those bands not just snap but disintegrate into shreds is terrifying. Im shocked there haven't been decapitations on these things. Yike.

  • @invaderhorizongreen8168
    @invaderhorizongreen8168 Рік тому +187

    Elastic is just going to wear out no matter how well you care for it, and depending on how many uses per day that is a lot of wear and tear. Also you need to take dry /wet rot into account as well.

    • @sandraboiteau6074
      @sandraboiteau6074 Рік тому +29

      That is actually a really good point- I wonder how often environmental factors (UV exposure, hot/cold extremes etc) contribute to premature elastic wear in the cases of these accidents. How strenuously is the "300 launches" rating being tested?

    • @invaderhorizongreen8168
      @invaderhorizongreen8168 Рік тому +14

      @@sandraboiteau6074 I also wonder if combined weight that is uneven upon loading passengers might cause uneven wear and tear as well. That it would make it tilt to one side more often, putting extra strain on the cable itself.

    • @innocuousmerchant8766
      @innocuousmerchant8766 Рік тому +9

      @@sandraboiteau6074 yeah I wonder if it's being tested for the purpose it's being used at all. I mean one of those manufacturers didn't even have a single qualified engineer on the payroll.

    • @abbie_joan
      @abbie_joan Рік тому +10

      yep, it's elastic and it's made out of rubber so it's going to disintegrate over time. You'd think they would want to make it safer to at least avoid the lawsuits but I guess making a ride more fun is more important than making sure people don't die an unnecessary death.

    • @dickJohnsonpeter
      @dickJohnsonpeter 8 місяців тому +5

      I worked for a carnival for a couple years in my twenties and there is zero consideration for any of those things and it's the same with every ride. There is no consideration for metal fatigue, work hardening of metal that makes it brittle and crack and the restraints never get any more of a check than pulling on them. I was an aircraft structural maintainer on F-16s in the Air Force so when I saw the complete lack of any knowledge of structural maintenance of rides it really opened my eyes to all the accidents just waiting to happen. A ride won't be taken out of commission until an accident happens or, if you're lucky it's just very obvious an accident is inevitable or it breaks down too badly.

  • @theworstisover1323
    @theworstisover1323 Рік тому +201

    I think this what really happened series of videos you've made is fantastic. My wife and I have always been enthusiasts and our kids are ones in the making. Whenever we're going on a ride, if they seem nervous about it we always say something to the effect of "the rides are safe, do your part and the ride will do it's... except for slingshots!"

    • @omenaattori9226
      @omenaattori9226 Рік тому +28

      Yes! I always try to shut down people who call roller coasters dangerous but slingshots are the one ride i'll join in the slander.

    • @alaeriia01
      @alaeriia01 Рік тому +15

      ​@@omenaattori9226 The spring-box ones are safe. The bungee-cord ones, not so much.

  • @pleasespellchimerical7202
    @pleasespellchimerical7202 Рік тому +71

    Watching the way those bands shred when they snap under tension is legit terrifying. Even more terrifying is only using two bands, with no redundancies added. I'm honestly amazed these are still legal in places.

  • @susanowen1709
    @susanowen1709 Рік тому +127

    Welp, I made it about halfway through this one before the stress got to me. This type of ride has been on my "you couldn't pay me to get on that thing!" list since the first time I saw one, and this only convinces me further to stay far away. I do appreciate that you didn't show any graphic injuries or deaths (at least in the first half; I presume not in the second, either).

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +60

      Thanks for watching! I make it a point to not show any graphic photos or videos and to not overdramatize the injuries associated with an accident.

    • @abbie_joan
      @abbie_joan Рік тому +7

      yep I wont ride slingshots or those ships that swing back and forth at high altitudes...if it doesn't have proper tightened and secure restraints I will not get on. My friends may call me a pussy but at least I'm not falling to my death because my hands are sweaty and the ride's bar doesn't lock.

    • @cottoncandyjellybean8539
      @cottoncandyjellybean8539 Рік тому +2

      Honestly I love this ride. I would never get on an elastic one though. Only the steel cable ones. I don’t know who thought giant rubber bands were a good idea.

  • @felsiccanis
    @felsiccanis Рік тому +189

    I love how honest you are when you explain how safe amusement park rides are, so I know it's bad when you talk about elastic slingshot rides lol

  • @Uvlugiak
    @Uvlugiak Рік тому +139

    In 2014 I witnessed the aftermath of one of these accidents. The slingshot was rented out by a local establishment here in Anchorage, AK. I remember driving by at night, flood lights pointed at the ride, the rider capsule dangling by only one of the elastic bands, with fire trucks lighting up the parking lot. From what I’ve read, two riders had been loaded on at the time. One of the riders’ seat became “disconnected” upon launch, and one of the elastic cables had also snapped. That same rider suffered many injures, including severe facial injuries as they had also hit one of the supports. The other rider was fine but had to wait about an hour to get rescued and back on solid ground. I haven’t seen investigation reports myself, but according to some news articles, the ride operator had failed to replace the elastic cable properly on many occasions, this being one of those times. And records show that the operator failed to do so anywhere from 1, to get this, 1,060 launches PAST the cable’s maximum. Yikes. A slew of other maintenance neglect and improper replacements were also uncovered.
    Anyways. Despite my utter delight and enthusiasm for thrill rides, I’d been terrified of amusement park/carnival accident reports for the longest time. Just reading or hearing about them skipped right past morbid curiosity and went straight to an overwhelming fear and dread settling deep within me. So seeing one in person (or at least the aftermath of one) stuck with me for a while. Up until just a couple years ago I refused to watch any ride accident footage or reports of any kind, lucky outcome or not. But now I’m glad I do! Especially your vids, they’ve definitely informed me of what to look out for so I can assure myself I’m safe when visiting a fair or park. That said, I think I’ll veer on the side of caution and just never go on another slingshot again. good riddance to those 😭👋🏼✌🏼
    Edit: funny note about that local establishment mentioned at the beginning that had rented the slingshot-it was a strip club, of all places. I’ll never forget seeing that neon red sign of a naked lady watching over the wreckage.

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +38

      Glad my videos have helped you! Your mention of a slingshot accident you witnessed reinforces my belief that the majority of these accidents go undocumented.

    • @Uvlugiak
      @Uvlugiak Рік тому +15

      @@CoasterCollege I’d just updated the comment with what I’d found in the news, actually! Some shoddy maintenance was uncovered by inspections, allegedly. I can email links I’d found if you’d like

    • @Charlesbjtown
      @Charlesbjtown Рік тому +5

      Always bad when your seat "disconnects".

    • @tengonadacluewhatsgutsprec1419
      @tengonadacluewhatsgutsprec1419 Рік тому

      I'm hearing these counts and thinking back on my time working at a theme park there's no way the log is accurate. 1200 launch I believe, 200 not so much

    • @herzogsbuick
      @herzogsbuick Рік тому +3

      The Crazy Horse! My band played that bar, no strippers that night though. I live in Anchorage, and actually just told that story in another comment, I hadn't seen yours. I didn't drive by it during like you did, but it was all over the news the next day. The guy who was injured sued the ride's owner in 2016, but I can't find anything about what came of it.

  • @ger5956
    @ger5956 Рік тому +34

    A ride operator working on an elastic slingshot was killed in my home town in Ireland a few years ago, I think 2008.
    He sadly attempted to catch and secure the passenger ball too early and was struck by the ball, resulting in terrible facial injuries that sadly led to his passing shortly after. I’ll never forget the screams and silence that followed.

  • @ferretmom76
    @ferretmom76 Рік тому +55

    As I started watching this video I was thinking to myself, "I rode a few of those slingshot rides with elastic bands back in the 90's, like that one time when I went to Panama City Beach." And then your coverage of the accident at Panama City Beach came up. I'm fairly certain that was the same place I went.

  • @defundhollywood3259
    @defundhollywood3259 Рік тому +53

    That spring loaded lever/pipe thing that's supposed to secure their restraints looks like the way my vacuum attachments attach to each other, or how my car snow brush extends - and those things are CONSTANTLY jamming or coming apart after you thought they were secured!!! I would NEVVVVVER trust my life to something like that!!!

  • @mbill7113
    @mbill7113 Рік тому +86

    It’s strange that the left rubber band seems to snap more than the right one

    • @AttacMage
      @AttacMage Рік тому +18

      perhaps they just get heavier fellows on that side? or maybe the locks just release in one direction slightly more

    • @lexsix8354
      @lexsix8354 Рік тому +18

      @@AttacMage I’m pretty sure one side is released just slightly before the others, in a lot of the videos you can see it pull slightly to one side before the other band releases and it goes straight

    • @Foxtail529withluck
      @Foxtail529withluck Рік тому

      That is weird... but I guess it's really a 50/50 chance 🤷🏽‍♀️

    • @jakurdadov6375
      @jakurdadov6375 Рік тому +1

      I use mostly the left, too.

  • @whosjwlz
    @whosjwlz Рік тому +41

    something that helped me get over my fear of riding rollercoasters (and turned me into a baby enthusiast) was learning about the safety mechanisms rides have and knowing that it is generally completely safe to ride them, accidents are rare. Slingshot rides aren't the type of rides I would enjoy anyways, but the amount of accidents surrounding these things is enough to make me say confidently that i would never ride them. The fact that most slingshot rides are at fairs that travel around unsettles me the most, it's hard to keep track of rides that have had accidents if they don't have a permanent location to be tied to. I definitely agree with your statement that there are likely many more accidents from these elastic band slingshots that have never been reported, I hope we will see these outdated and unsafe rides less as we make more progress in safety technology.

  • @Lemmon714_
    @Lemmon714_ Рік тому +22

    My wife and I rode one in Gatlinburg in the early 90's. The seat was inside three rotating rings which made it one of the most disorienting thing I have ever done. It was great, but neither of us cared to do it again.

    • @ycoyle2803
      @ycoyle2803 Рік тому +1

      I rode that Gatlinburg too. Was thinking about it the entire time I was watching this video.

  • @galashery7264
    @galashery7264 Рік тому +68

    All of these claims of bad manufacturing of rubber bands seems fishy to me. It doesn’t make sense that it’s that common from different manufacture. If a band is rated for 300 shots it probably means it should handle at the very least 600 before failure.
    It’s no coincidence in my opinion that the owners are quick to blame the manufacturer. Because the other likely cause is improper storage or maintenance. For example 300 shots in what temperature? How much UV it can take? Maybe a park operates on weekends only, are the bands properly stored while the park/fare isn’t running.

    • @user-ry1vi1jc7o
      @user-ry1vi1jc7o Рік тому +7

      Right. Otherwise, how do the manufacturers stay in business?

    • @chrisd1746
      @chrisd1746 5 місяців тому +3

      300 seems like such an absurdly low number too. How many days of operation is that, and how many operators are going to push them just a little bit further to cut costs?

    • @pineappleroad
      @pineappleroad 3 місяці тому +1

      ​@@chrisd1746 I can only really guess, but assuming continuous operation, 2-4 days, depending on how long per day the ride is open for (i did actually make an attempt to work it out, but my math could be flawed)

  • @ZeldaTheSwordsman
    @ZeldaTheSwordsman Рік тому +85

    I would suspect metal fatigue or spring failure on that ejection incident in Italy.
    As someone who played with rubber bands as a kid, I'm not surprised by all the elastic band failures. Owners being stingy or slow about replacing the bands probably doesn't help. I would also bet that there's a lot of failure to deduct from the estimated lifespan if the bands are subject to significant cold (or to dry heat).
    On the subject of unsafe rides... Any plans to cover Verruckt?

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +27

      Verruckt is on the list!

    • @SniffyTugBoat
      @SniffyTugBoat Рік тому +11

      ​@@CoasterCollege I'm from KC and that whole incident was wild. I think I still have the court papers downloaded somewhere.

    • @aylacordas1591
      @aylacordas1591 Рік тому +2

      I happened to go to Schlitterban the next day it was open after the incident (free tix🥴) & MAN was it eerie. They built a privacy fence that clearly did no good. You could see impact markings on the ride. I still hope/wonder if the coloration on the slide was a cleaning agent. 😭

  • @frederikhein4195
    @frederikhein4195 Рік тому +52

    The only slingshot I‘ve been on is one of the newer spring-tensioned ones produced by fun time and located at Germanys Freizeitland Geiselwind. It surely is a thrilling experience and arguably the parks best ride. With this ride being brand new and german law being at least as strict as in the US, I felt completely safe. However I will take a step back if I ever encounter one of the elastic band versions.
    Great video as always, keep going 👍

    • @CoasterCollege
      @CoasterCollege  Рік тому +13

      Cable slingshots are great rides!

    • @Makanaakuar
      @Makanaakuar Рік тому +1

      You’d trust the company that was responsible for the Orlando FreeFall tragedy? 😵‍💫

    • @cynicanal111
      @cynicanal111 Рік тому

      @@Makanaakuar The Orlando FreeFall accident was caused by the operators, not by a mechanical failure. The ride itself worked correctly.

    • @Makanaakuar
      @Makanaakuar Рік тому +3

      @@cynicanal111 no, the ride was unethically modified by the head of maintenance beyond what was safe which lead to catastrophic failure. The ride operators had nothing to do with it.

  • @lemagreengreen
    @lemagreengreen Рік тому +37

    Those things have always given me the fear just looking at them, anything with such few points of failure is not something you want to ride on given the importance of safety inspections and the likelihood of the operator not really caring enough.

  • @rilmar2137
    @rilmar2137 Рік тому +23

    Saw one of those just this week during some small festival. Also, especially the accident in Gäubodenvolksfest reminds me of various accidents where a mooring line of a vessel snapped, killing people. My father, being an ex sailor, has been warning me of them over and over again. Hell, even a piano string on the lower registry can hurt you bad. I've only had any first person experience with guitar strings snapping and that was already not fun. The moral here is: strung lines, ropes, cables etc are no joke, because if the thing snaps, all that energy has to go somewhere and you don't want to be standing there

    • @bwc1976
      @bwc1976 Рік тому +2

      It even happened at Disneyland once, on the sailing ship Columbia in 1999.

  • @Portablesounds
    @Portablesounds Рік тому +13

    Dude that first rubber band snapping literally tore a hole in the asphalt! If thatd been at a slightly different angle I dont want to think about what thatd do to a human.

  • @grahamsowerby6087
    @grahamsowerby6087 Рік тому +4

    I loved the way you said " relatively safe". " Hey kids let's go on this relatively safe ride!!! "

  • @deathstrike
    @deathstrike 9 місяців тому +4

    I can tell you another major accident where a rider was killed. It was the Puyallup Fair in Puyallup Washington State. Back in 1993, a bungee type ride called the "Moon Shot" was being readied for launch. When the capsule launched, BOTH bungees failed, and the capsule was sent hurtling upward and began a sort of "arc" trajectory as it landed about 40 feet from the ride platform. One rider was killed (15yo girl) and her mother was seriously injured. (WARNING the next part is graphic). The reason for the girl being killed was when the capsule crash landed, it landed on her side of the capsule and the restraining pipe impaled her through the stomach. The mother's restraint held.
    The odd part was that the whole incident was kept quiet. It only got a basic coverage on King 5 News and little else. I think it was because the City of Puyallup was afraid their huge yearly attraction was in danger (Puyallup Fair) and the ride was removed for that year ,but returned the next year and probably a large payout for the family. It wasn't the only accident at the rides and the fair was often criticized for it's lack of safety. The reason I know about this was because I was going to ride, but my girlfriend at the time felt uneasy about it and we left it about a half hour before the accident. But as for the girl, I can't imagine what the family went through. I hope they found some semblance of peace. But a word of caution? PLEASE be cautious of rides that are known to have accidents and ride with care!!

  • @PaulieLauraXombie1331
    @PaulieLauraXombie1331 Рік тому +12

    Wife and I where staying at a hotel in Florida, Just across the highway from the park that the young teen died from the slingshot accident in 2022.. I had noo idea the kid died from that accident till I got home a few days later and went on UA-cam. R I P lil dude :/ and to the family my absolute condolences 😢
    These absolutely should not exist anymore.. take all of them down.

  • @ThousanWhite
    @ThousanWhite Рік тому +9

    Wow I've never seen the elastic band styles like that before. I actually just got on one of these cable-style rides for the first time in my life and felt 100% safe. If I ever see an elastic style slingshot, I'll probably keep walkin lol

  • @soupwifey
    @soupwifey Рік тому +24

    This is the reason why I only rode the ones with the steel, and I'll never ride one with the elastic bands. I've bungee jumped with 3 elastic bands for extra safety at my request and at 87 lbs. I felt safe and was safe every time. I only needed 2 bands because I'm tiny. The ride operators agreed to my decision as it's my life. I'm glad about that. To this day. In Texas. I can not find a sling shot ride with elastic bands. 👍🏽

    • @teeganblu
      @teeganblu Рік тому

      no one cares if you’re 87 pounds

  • @liamcollinson5695
    @liamcollinson5695 Рік тому +14

    I actually witnessed a bungee ball snap at hull fair in the UK i was there in 2008 when two girls borded the bungee ball and one side snapped to the shock and horror of the thousands of people there. Since it is the biggest travelling fair in Europe. Both girls was ok and had only minor injuries and apparently laughed about it afterwards. The video is on UA-cam

  • @SnowghostFilms
    @SnowghostFilms Рік тому +15

    I thought that that was a lot of accidents, but then I looked at the timeline and saw I was only HALFWAY through! If I ever make a video on genuinely dangerous rides, this will for sure be in it.

    • @jankk
      @jankk Рік тому +1

      These and swinging/spinning pendulum rides seem to have an inordinate number of accidents.

  • @RedHotMessResell
    @RedHotMessResell Рік тому +9

    Can you just imagine what it would feel like to get smacked by a giant rubberband? Ouch

  • @Clay3613
    @Clay3613 Рік тому +23

    Amazing that we have footage for most of these accidents. European authorities let the rides re-open a day later? What the hell?

    • @wilhu5903
      @wilhu5903 Рік тому +4

      there have been accidents where other attractions werent allowed to reopen, atleast here in the netherlands. i even remember a article about it from last year.

  • @LAUGODDOG
    @LAUGODDOG 11 місяців тому +6

    at some point we can assume they were all "operating normally"...

  • @mamamommy42
    @mamamommy42 Рік тому +13

    we used to have one in my hometown outside a skating rink and there were a ton of rumors about people dying on it but this was all pretty much pre-facebook so i imagine that it was a lot easier to cover up any incidents that might have actually happened. i still remember driving by it two days in a row and it basically disappearing overnight. i always wanted to ride it as a kid, haha

  • @Sin_Lord
    @Sin_Lord Рік тому +6

    I was already never ever going to ride a slingshot ride. Thanks for giving me plenty of reasons to keep never riding them 😁

  • @MrTrainman96
    @MrTrainman96 Рік тому +17

    Those elastic cables are outside and exposed to the elements and they're supposed to be good for 300 launches?

  • @pandarush.
    @pandarush. Рік тому +6

    THANK YOU for making this video. It's springtime and traveling carnivals are everywhere.

  • @puffcatco
    @puffcatco Рік тому +6

    From personal experience, Elastic slingshot rides have the most aggressive forces out of any flatride. It is understandable that cables tend to break from time to time. HOWEVER, I do not believe that if these rides were to be decently maintained, they wouldn't suffer from any issues.

  • @Gigidag77
    @Gigidag77 Рік тому +5

    Take a shot every time he says "was operating normally"

  • @BuccaneerBruce
    @BuccaneerBruce Рік тому +6

    I rode one of those sling shot rides 25+ years ago at a fair in Kansas City, it was the most terrifying ride I have ever been on. It felt like those bands were going to give way.

  • @stampycatfan01lol
    @stampycatfan01lol 7 місяців тому +2

    As a railway enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the GG1 casually sitting in the background at 0:45

  • @steamyninja8881
    @steamyninja8881 13 днів тому

    Thanks for putting upbeat music in these videos rather than the typical creepy, eerie background music. It makes the stuff in the videos so much more digestible and easier to keep watching. Also, it’s quite a groove. I’ll sometimes keep vids like this playing in the background as I work and the upbeat music does the complete opposite of the slow, eerie music. Keeps me at it! Nice job 👍

  • @karenelizabeth1590
    @karenelizabeth1590 Рік тому +3

    I've seen a viral video where a slingshot operator "pRanKeD" riders to make them think a screw from the ride had come off. Joking about a ride malfunctioning when it is known to frequently malfunction? That's pretty disgusting, IMHO.

  • @HiCaballo
    @HiCaballo Рік тому +7

    Not even 2 accidents on the same day was enough for them to shut it down.

  • @DubYuhGChoppa
    @DubYuhGChoppa Рік тому +3

    It's good to have a whole video reassuring me that i was right to avoid this thing as a kid.

  • @nrdythugg4102
    @nrdythugg4102 Рік тому +9

    Please make a video about the accident at Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten last year. I am german and I don't understand, why the officials until today don't let us know what the reason for this horrible accident was. They only tell us what worked totaly fine but had to be improved anyway to be able to reopen this year, what they did. Germany had a very good reputation when it comes to safety, but this incident and everything that has not made public, makes me lose my trust.

  • @jimmehsaint
    @jimmehsaint Рік тому +4

    Seeing this from a channel that usually stresses how safe amusement park rides are when operating under normal conditions convinces me to never ride one of these if it has those elastic bands. And normally I'm an adrenaline junkie.

  • @lynksteevens1737
    @lynksteevens1737 7 місяців тому +1

    i live in the building voor oog en oor its in the nederlands and i was screaming from happines that it was in this vid, I LOVE IT!

  • @k1m198
    @k1m198 Рік тому +2

    I had a teacher once that told us students how he worked at a carnival for years before becoming a teacher. He told us, from what he'd seen, he would never ride/trust a ride that can be set up and taken down in the same day.

  • @-laydeeintrigue-
    @-laydeeintrigue- 6 місяців тому +1

    "was operating normally" is the scariest part of this video

  • @bwc1976
    @bwc1976 Рік тому +3

    Absolutely nuts, I'll never understand how anyone would trust their life to an elastic band in the first place. Trusting it to a solid metal bar like on a roller coaster seems crazy enough, and those have an infinitely better track record.

  • @thecivilizedgamer2533
    @thecivilizedgamer2533 Рік тому +8

    Thanks for bringing awareness to this! Great video as always

  • @TesserasNerfRoom
    @TesserasNerfRoom Рік тому +4

    *Giant heavy-ass electromagnet crashes through steel platform*
    Police officer: So how did you react when this happened?
    Ride op: I used the flex-seal technique to fix it

  • @TheImmoralNosferatuZodd
    @TheImmoralNosferatuZodd Рік тому +2

    3:36 dude had no reaction, just left his arms up. 😂

  • @Skarfar90
    @Skarfar90 Рік тому +2

    Norway July 11 2003 - A slingshot catapult belonging to a traveling fair had a malfunction, where an elstic band broke during operation.
    No major injuries occured, but one of the riders suffered bruising and ringing in the ears for a while after.

  • @myopnonmusic5525
    @myopnonmusic5525 Рік тому +5

    this is one of those rides that i would never ride, also just the way the sear rock back and forth just looks increadbly uncomfortable and like it would hurt

  • @alanhyt79
    @alanhyt79 Рік тому +5

    When I was a ride op at six flags darien lake in 2001, we got a portable slingshot. It had the springs and steel cables.
    It was an OK ride, but not even close to being as scary as our 180 foot skycoaster.

  • @Shouseyy
    @Shouseyy Рік тому +2

    Safe to say that I don’t think I’d take a ride on any of these anytime soon, too unsafe no matter who’s running them

  • @elliot20201
    @elliot20201 Рік тому +5

    The one around 3:50, I feel like you can tell the bungee that breaks is pretty frayed too... Damn.

  • @codyviera92
    @codyviera92 Рік тому +4

    How can there be so many bands snapping and they still have them!?

    • @blackosprey2219
      @blackosprey2219 Рік тому

      Vid says that most of the world only investigates if there's serious injury. Lack of injury, lack of investigation, lack of overall consequences.

  • @VinnyVinceViper
    @VinnyVinceViper Рік тому +1

    During my younger years ( about 30 years ago ) I worked for a travelling carnival, and started on kiddy rides I did not mind as I met a few single moms.
    Later I was offered the Round-Up and took it ( but really wanted the Gravitron, well big line of operators before me lol ) during my morning inspection, I found that I was missing a couple of R-pins and the owner gave me nails - pieces of coat hangers - nuts and bolts.. and told me to use & bend them so they would not slip out, I left that day, notify the local cops and went back home.
    I have never ridden a ride after that day, fearing that it could be common practice in the Carni world.

  • @DUSKvsDAWN
    @DUSKvsDAWN 10 місяців тому +2

    As someone from the Netherlands, a country that claims that funfairs should be as secure as possible, I am ashamed that they just tried to put a fucking rubber mat over the gaping hole and open the ride again.

  • @Aryanne_v2
    @Aryanne_v2 Рік тому +1

    You couldn't get me on one of those slingshot rides in a million years

  • @kimmeeb
    @kimmeeb Місяць тому

    The fact that 5-point harnesses aren’t standard on these kinds of rides (and a lot of rides tbh) is INSANE to me. I used to go rock crawling with my dad and we’d take buggies out in the woods and out to the dunes. We ALWAYS replaced whatever harness came with the vehicle with 5-point harnesses because they’re so much more secure. My dad once rolled the rock crawler almost 500-ft. He walked away with a broken collarbone, whiplash, and a minor concussion and stayed in his seat for hours waiting for the rescue team. Like, they’re so cheap too, even for the good ones. It’s worth it for the peace of mind at least, knowing you’ll stay in your seat no matter what.

    • @kimmeeb
      @kimmeeb Місяць тому

      Also you can ABSOLUTELY escape 4-point harnesses without assistance. It’s actually one of the considerations we’ve had to make; do we want to stay in our seat or be able to escape in the event the buckle can’t be released. I’ve wriggled out of a 4-point harness that was properly tightened just to prove that I could

  • @richiebell
    @richiebell Рік тому +1

    Congrats on 100k! Can’t wait to see what else you make!

  • @Thurston86
    @Thurston86 Рік тому +3

    You’re _so close_ to 100K subs! Congrats in advance!

  • @TheFlappyBusRailfan
    @TheFlappyBusRailfan 3 місяці тому +1

    4:51 that PRR GG1 locomotive in the background! WOW!!

  • @ARandomWolfApproaches
    @ARandomWolfApproaches Рік тому +2

    I love how he explains everything in detail, but not too much detail to where its understandable

  • @frankiefranklin9761
    @frankiefranklin9761 Рік тому +2

    I'm not an adrenaline junkie as I never get the adrenaline high, just more anxiety. But these give me second hand anxiety unlike any other ride

  • @WhatAG23
    @WhatAG23 Рік тому +5

    Bros about to get a silver play button 🤯

  • @oBseSsIoNPC
    @oBseSsIoNPC Рік тому +2

    After the first elastic band breaking, I started paying close attention to the following rides and before you even said what happened. I looked at the color difference and called out the bad side right away. You can clearly see a visual discrepancy between the bands, which should raise the alarm...

  • @hx0ad5
    @hx0ad5 Рік тому +6

    i desperately wish these things were universally banned. they simply are not possible to maintain properly. there's nothing that could be done to make them safe enough. these things give the entire world of amusement rides a much worse reputation. excellent video as always, even though it's depressing to watch

  • @cirquestar6618
    @cirquestar6618 Рік тому +3

    A friend of mine was loading passengers on a slingshot ride when it launched prematurely. The riders survived but he did not.

  • @murderouscow
    @murderouscow Рік тому +6

    Well that's enough accidents to convince me to never ride one of these!

  • @mooncow-io
    @mooncow-io Рік тому +2

    I’m a huge fan of theme park rides- I LOVE the adrenaline rush! I’ll go on just about any ride- but never this one. Never.

  • @emilyofjane
    @emilyofjane 7 місяців тому +1

    I remember my first time seeing a slingshot ride, my instinctive reaction was “how on Earth is that thing safe?!”
    Turns out, it really isn’t.

  • @princesskristan
    @princesskristan Рік тому +3

    These rides look fun, and I remember wanting to go on them, but hearing about these accidents made me avoid them for a bit

  • @angelicareal7381
    @angelicareal7381 Місяць тому

    I was thinking about going on the one at Steel Pier if we go there while my friends and I are in Atlantic City this 4th of July. After watching this video though, I have decided that it’s not worth the risk of injury or even death. Thank you for preventing me from making what could’ve possibly been the worst decision I ever made.

  • @degrassigirls80
    @degrassigirls80 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for mentioning the other at the Ex in Ottawa back in '98. I will never forget it and every summer when we went to the Ex after that, you would pass that spot pretty much right at the entrance and there were always flowers. I thought it was a little later than '98 cause I was only four and you wouldn't think I'd remember something at such a young age but I never forgot it

  • @omenaattori9226
    @omenaattori9226 Рік тому +3

    Kinda crazy how so many slingshot incidents have video evidence. Suppose it's such an insane tode that people want to film it.

  • @Bruhrayyycuhs
    @Bruhrayyycuhs Рік тому +3

    Can’t pay me enough to play with my life.. I used to love rides . After been a father to a 5 year old , I think about all this death and life situations. So far I rather stay on the ground .

  • @charismaticadventurer8448
    @charismaticadventurer8448 Місяць тому

    When ever you hear “the ride was operating normally” you know it wasn’t operating normally for long

  • @KrisLapler
    @KrisLapler Рік тому +1

    Im happy to say that i never succumbed to stupidity when I was at an event with these around.

  • @JackofWhitechapel
    @JackofWhitechapel Місяць тому

    I'm so glad I went on one of these BEFORE seeing this video. I was terrified I was going to slip out of the harness because I'm so thin. Never going on that ride again.

  • @d.krolmann5456
    @d.krolmann5456 Рік тому +4

    I know about another accident involving this ride that happened in 2004 in Daun Germany. They forgot to close the restraints before launching the ride and a 14 year old girl died after she was flung out of the capsule, her 16 year old friend thankfully survived, because she was able to hold onto the pipes which make up the ride capsule.

    • @holladiewaldfee6071
      @holladiewaldfee6071 Рік тому +3

      Can't find anything about this.

    • @dragonfan8647
      @dragonfan8647 Рік тому

      That's horrific

    • @dragonfan8647
      @dragonfan8647 Рік тому

      @@holladiewaldfee6071 Searching "daun kirmes tod" yields several news articles, though they are all in German

  • @Happymali10
    @Happymali10 Рік тому +5

    Small criticism: I'd consider ditching the repetitive "was operating normally".
    Maybe use something like "[Ride] made by [manufacturer] was operating at [location] when [accident]."
    It's somewhat assumed that they were operating normally before something went wrong.

  • @chrisyravenconlin
    @chrisyravenconlin 6 місяців тому

    Was at the Ex in Ottawa in 1998 when the person died. Was seeing my fave band there that night whose latest single included the line “died in an amusement park accident”… as a 15 year old going out alone in the city with friends for the first time, it was an influential experience.

  • @napassagemsecreta
    @napassagemsecreta Рік тому +9

    I'd love to see a video on hazardous rides we probably shouldn't be riding!

    • @hellacia8151
      @hellacia8151 Рік тому +5

      Chance's Zipper used to be one of them, however most or all of the safety issues should've been fixed

    • @jayminyoel7911
      @jayminyoel7911 Рік тому

      There really aren't any truly dangerous rides. Elastic slingshots are less safe than other rides but the fact that even those rides rarely malfunction says a lot about just how safe rides are.

  • @iamdigbick4675
    @iamdigbick4675 7 місяців тому +2

    Those rides are terrible. I will never ride one. The number of people who faint multiple times while riding is astonishing. It can't be good for you.

  • @codyviera92
    @codyviera92 Рік тому +2

    Dude still got his hands up like why haven't you launched us yet? 😂 3:58

  • @Enigmatic..
    @Enigmatic.. Рік тому

    The fact that the operators actually stand near the ride while its being tensioned just show you that they haven't got a clue of the dangers involved and are clearly not qualified to operate it.

  • @flurpoid
    @flurpoid Рік тому +2

    Folks don't realize that there are incredibly few safety and structural regulations regarding these types of rides. I ride skateboards down hills at highway speeds as a hobby and wouldn't ever put my life into the hands of the owners of these rides.

  • @AtomicWhiskers
    @AtomicWhiskers Рік тому

    Im obsessed with your videos man! I hope you cover the Star Flyer incident st Star City. Love how dedicated to good research you are. Keep it going dude 💜

  • @maximillianlylat1589
    @maximillianlylat1589 Рік тому

    Watching those elastic bands bust so easy is really unerving to watch

  • @AmnesiaDarkDecent13
    @AmnesiaDarkDecent13 2 місяці тому

    Well, I wanted to try one of these. Still would, just now I know what to look for and what kinds to avoid. Thank ya.

  • @julianasansonetti5926
    @julianasansonetti5926 6 місяців тому

    Great video! One small correction: I was reading articles in The Ottawa Citizen about the accident at the Central Canada Exhibition in 1998. The articles include pictures of the ride, and the ride did not have a ride capsule. The rider simply wore a harness that was tethered to the bungee cord. The ride was called the Rocket Launcher, so I'm not sure if it would even be considered a Slingshot ride. Also, the articles mention that the ride was owned and operated by Anderson Enterprises and manufactured by Thrill Sport Productions, but Gravity Works is not mentioned.

  • @jonathonfletcher2952
    @jonathonfletcher2952 Рік тому +15

    Why are these rides allowed to operate if they have been proven to be unsafe?

    • @NRTHKR
      @NRTHKR Рік тому +12

      Money. I’ve never been to a park that allowed you to ride these for free; they always cost $15-30.

    • @Kyle4Dayz
      @Kyle4Dayz Рік тому +1

      3:53

    • @yasu3d
      @yasu3d Рік тому +4

      my best guess is just that they are ~technically~ safe when everything's done right, but are way more prone to failure than other rides.
      But if there was a concrete argument they could absolutely be banned for, it's that the ride cycle is completely out of control. You can't hit an EStop on them once they're launched, you have to wait for the gondola to stop bouncing before it can be lowered again.

    • @Kyle4Dayz
      @Kyle4Dayz Рік тому

      @@yasu3d i mean, just tie a very long rope to bottom and if there’s an emergency they can pull the 2 beams and the rope and that’ll stop the bouncing - also would ensure they can get down if one beam snaps

    • @ZeldaTheSwordsman
      @ZeldaTheSwordsman Рік тому

      "Waaa you're being unfair to businesses!" probably plays a role. That and grandfathering.
      The fact that capsule design can mitigate some of the potential harm may also be a factor.

  • @theears995
    @theears995 Місяць тому

    As an aviation enthusiast, you rarely hear “we don’t know what caused this accident”
    There’s a reason why aviation is the safest way to travel: because pilots are always learning about how to improve, and the industry is using that knowledge.
    That same attitude should be in the amusement park industry, if it isn’t already

  • @Clay3613
    @Clay3613 Рік тому +3

    "Riders walked away unharmed", they definitely got compressed discs or at least whiplash from the capsule hitting the pole with force.

    • @girrl88
      @girrl88 Рік тому +3

      I imagine that they were so shocked they probably didn't hurt at the time but yeah, I think that they had to have gotten whiplash at the very least. I bet they were sore as hell the next day.

    • @adrienneczerni6516
      @adrienneczerni6516 6 місяців тому +1

      I got hit by a car and was written down as “unharmed” because I didn’t break any bones (I was very young, so I was squishy cartilage) which I am extremely thankful for but also I did need half a decade of physical therapy to walk normally in minimal pain. I imagine whatever measurement metric they use here is similarly crude