A woman who was hurt when she plummeted from a Las Vegas roller coaster last month is a “double amputee,” according to a new report.
The rider, who is in her mid-20s to early 30s, was ejected from her seat on the El Loco ride at the Adventuredome amusement park within the Circus Circus Hotel and Resort on March 25 in the afternoon, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
While Clark County spokesman Erik Pappa was unable to specify whether the woman was missing her arms or legs, he did tell the paper that she had lost limbs prior to the plunge.
She was hospitalized after the fall, but details on her condition have not been released.
The ride, which runs up to 44 miles per hour and was built in 2013 by manufacturer S&S Worldwide, was quickly closed and inspected by a third-party company approved by the local building fire prevention department, according to the report.
The fall is still under investigation, pending a review by the manufacturer, which will determine why the woman was ejected and come up with alterations that would prevent another such incident, the outlet reported.
The coaster passed its most recent inspection about two months before the rider was hurt, according to the report.
“S&S Worldwide is aware of an incident involving an S&S roller coaster at Circus Circus,” the manufacturer said in a statement issued to the outlet Thursday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual involved. At this time, we have no comment and will have no comment until a complete and thorough investigation is finalized.”
And MGM Resorts, the owner of Circus Circus, said that El Loco “features publicly posted guidelines based on manufacturer recommendations and associated regulations.”
“We are committed to the safety of our guests and holding all rides and attractions to high standards,” said the company’s statement, also provided to the Review-Journal. “We work closely with the county on the routine inspection and certification process for our attractions, and we will continue to work closely with officials as this incident is investigated.”
This is not the first time an amputee took a plunge from an amusement park attraction.
Back in 2011, US Army veteran Sgt. James Hackemer, 29 — who lost both legs in Iraq — was killed after he was thrown from the Ride of Steel roller coaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, about 30 miles east of Buffalo.