The onboard camera captured more than just thrills on the Mamba roller coaster. It recorded a moment of sheer terror, and the quick thinking of two riders who prevented a potential tragedy.
Chris and Cassie Evins, seasoned visitors to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, heard frantic screams from the seat behind them – screams that cut through the usual excited shouts of a rollercoaster ride. Something was terribly wrong.
A young girl’s voice, laced with panic, revealed the horrifying truth: her seatbelt had come undone. As the Mamba climbed towards its 208-foot peak and hurtled towards speeds of 75 mph, the couple knew they had to act, and fast.
Instinct took over. Chris looped his arm under the girl’s lap bar, finding a dangerously large gap where the seatbelt should have been. He gripped her wrist, a desperate anchor against the forces of the ride.
Cassie simultaneously pushed down on the girl’s legs, adding crucial support. For the remainder of the ride, they remained twisted and strained, a human safety net against the looming possibility of a fall.
The ride finally shuddered to a halt, and the girl remained safely secured, shaken but unharmed. Chris and Cassie immediately alerted park staff, prompting a full shutdown of the Mamba for thorough safety checks.
“What if it had been someone else in our seats?” Chris wondered, the gravity of the situation sinking in. “The outcome could have been drastically different.”
They were separated from the girl after the ride and haven’t had a chance to connect with her family, but desperately hope to do so. They want to know she’s truly okay.
Following the incident, a spot inspection revealed issues with some of the seatbelts, leading to temporary repairs. The ride underwent reinspection and was approved to reopen that evening.
Park officials confirmed a comprehensive safety review was conducted, and modifications were implemented based on recommendations from the Fire Marshall, ensuring the ride met and exceeded all safety standards. The multi-layered restraint system, including the lap bar, was found to be fully functioning during multiple inspections.
A souvenir photo from the ride, now circulating online, serves as a chilling reminder of the harrowing experience and the couple’s extraordinary act of bravery.
