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| Photo Credit: AP. |
SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — An amusement park in Ohio announced Tuesday it would be permanently closing the world’s second-tallest roller coaster.
The decision
by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot
(128-meter) tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at
the park in Sandusky. A state investigation found no evidence that the park
acted illegally or had reason to believe the ride was unsafe.
The ride has
remained closed since the Aug. 15, 2021 accident. Park officials did not say if
the accident influenced their decision to permanently close the coaster, which
has operated for 19 years and drawn 18 million riders.
In a
statement announcing the closure, the park noted it “legacy of ride innovation
continues. Our team is hard at work, creating a new and reimagined ride
experience.” It said more details about its plans would be disclosed in the
future.
The Kingda
Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey,
is considered the world’s tallest with a 456-foot (139-meter) elevation.