Colorado officials are investigating after a woman was ejected from a ski resort’s alpine coaster and dragged along the track, leaving her hospitalized with extensive injuries. Nicki Parker, a Texas native, was riding the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain ski resort in Frisco, a scenic town in the Rocky Mountains, on August 17 when she was launched from her seat as the coaster rounded a curve, KDVR reported. Her seatbelt was still fastened as she was flung from the ride, her lawyer, Trent Ongert, told the outlet.
Parker’s husband, who was riding in the car behind her and watched the horrifying scene unfold, went down to help her. He then had to get her out because there was nobody, no way to get to her,” Ongert said. She came out of the incident with a broken rib that punctured and collapsed her lung, a dislocated shoulder that needed surgery and a traumatic brain injury, according to the report.
Parker remains hospitalized, 10 days after her injury, and will continue to require extensive medical treatment, her lawyer said. There is a sign at the start of the coaster that says the ride will automatically stop and a beeping noise will alarm if a seatbelt becomes unfastened mid-ride. However, the car continued to move even after Parker was ejected, Parker’s lawyer said.
Her car actually continued on even after she was thrown from it,” he said. Copper Mountain confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “On Monday, Aug. 17, Copper Mountain Patrol responded to an incident involving a guest on the Rocky Mountain Coaster. When members of patrol arrived, the guest was seated in the cart with their seatbelt fastened.” Patrol helped Parker to the base area, where first responders with Summit Fire & EMS met her to provide her care.
The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety and the Colorado Amusement Rides and Devices Program are both investigating the incident. The coaster will remain closed while the investigation is ongoing, state officials said. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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