El Toro Derailment Details Released - Six Flags Great Adventure

Credit: nj.com

Last June, it was reported that El Toro, a wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, derailed with riders on board. The specific incident occurred on June 29th, 2021, leading to the ride's closure for the remaining duration of the 2021 season. 

What happened: A ride train from the popular wooden roller coaster El Toro came off the tracks with guests on board. 

• This resulted in the ride stalling on the tracks before the normal course could be completed. 

The stats: El Toro is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. It was manufactured by Intamin, and built by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) in 2006. 

• Height: 181 feet / 55 meters
• Speed: 70 mph / 110 km/h
• Length: 4,400 feet / 1,300 meters
• Duration: 1 minute, 42 seconds 

How it happened: An investigation conducted by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, in collaboration with Great Adventure, found that the rear wheels of "Car A6" were uprooted from, "their normal position on the rails" while the train attempted to complete its normal course. 

• As a result of this derailment, a train axle damaged a rear wheel assembly. 
• This malfunction also caused damage to the wood and steel bolts of the track. 

Who was affected: Although guests were aboard the ride at the time of derailment, the park maintains that no guests were harmed as a result of this ride malfunction. 

What's being said: Despite the eventual investigation that found rear wheels of the ride were indeed "uprooted," Park spokesperson Kirsten Fitzgerald initially stated that, "The train’s safety systems worked as designed and the train remained on the track."

• Fitzgerald further stated, "The safety of our guests and team members is always our highest priority. After the ride stopped before completing its cycle, all riders were returned to the station and safely exited,” 
• "All guests exited the ride station around 4:40 pm. They were issued front-of-the-line passes to compensate for their time," Fitzgerald also commented.