5-11-2023 (MELBOURNE) A harrowing incident at a Gold Coast theme park has sent shockwaves through social media, raising concerns about the safety of amusement park rides. A 22-year-old woman from Melbourne, Australia, found herself at the center of attention after posting a video of a horrifying injury sustained during a theme park visit.
The footage, shared on social media, showcases the young woman’s experience at a Gold Coast theme park in October 2023. She and her group of friends were eager to partake in the exhilarating “Slingshot” ride, which propels thrill-seekers a dizzying 90 meters into the air, attached to steel cables, before hurtling back to earth at speeds exceeding 160 km/h.
The participants were securely seated in protective chairs equipped with safety frames across their heads and chests. These chairs were connected to a vertical pole by steel wires, causing them to be lifted and lowered repeatedly. In addition to this vertical motion, the ride also shifted from side to side with rapid changes in force. The entire experience lasted approximately 5 minutes.
As the ride approached its conclusion and the chairs slowly descended to their initial position, a piercing scream emanated from the young woman. She cried out in pain, repeatedly exclaiming, “Oh, my foot, my foot.” Her panicked friend seated beside her gazed downward and realized the horrifying reality: the woman’s left foot was trapped on the metal stopper of the ride, causing it to bend in a grotesque and unnatural manner, as if it were about to fold in half. The scene was nothing short of nightmarish.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, her friend frantically tried to alert the ride’s staff to halt the descent in time. However, the staff failed to hear the plea and continued lowering the chair, exacerbating the young woman’s excruciating pain as her foot seemed on the verge of being crushed.
A later video showed the woman sitting in a hospital vehicle, her foot immobilized and wrapped. A medical diagnosis revealed a sprained toe as the result of the traumatic incident.
The two videos have collectively garnered over 9 million views since being posted last month, sparking a viral sensation that has left many viewers in disbelief. Numerous comments flooded in, with a common thread of concern and curiosity. Many questioned why the young woman placed her foot on the stopper and failed to wear appropriate footwear, highlighting a valuable lesson for those contemplating such thrilling rides.
In response to the online discussion, the woman who shared the video addressed netizens’ questions. She explained that she rarely participates in playground activities and was particularly fearful during the incident. She admitted that her foot ended up in the wrong place by mistake. Despite the traumatic experience, she decided not to pursue legal action against the amusement park. She also commended the park’s staff, describing them as friendly and genuinely apologetic for the unfortunate incident.
@pippasutherland ⚠️ TW: bent foot ⚠️ Surprised my foot is still in one piece after that ???????? #fyp #viral #injury #accident #slingshot #rides #goldcoast #surfersparadise #australia #feet #bendy ♬ Originalton – POV’s
