Amusement Park 9-1-1: Stories of Death, Debauchery & Disaster From An Amusement Park Near You

by Kermit Gonzalo

America's amusement parks have seen it all; deaths, dismemberment, shootings, stabbings, sex crimes, animal attacks and some down right crazy behavior.

The amusement park industry claims your trip to an amusement park is one of the safest forms of entertainment in the country. Industry statistics state the odds of being severely injured on an amusement ride are 1 in 24 million; the chances of being killed on one are 1 in 750 million. However, if you are that one, your accident is likely catastrophic and devastating.

Amusement Park 9-1-1 reveals the stories the amusement park industry doesn't want you to hear. Stories that may have you thinking twice when you're standing in line ready to board a thrill ride.

· Do you know the federal government doesn't regulate the biggest names in the amusement park industry?

· Do you know that Universal Studios, Orlando, actually claims their park is in an "Urban High-Crime Area"?

· How did a roller coaster rider at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter go blind? Tragically, it had nothing to do with wizardry.

· Is SeaWorld a prime target for terrorists? According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the park could be.

· What do a church group, a bronze medal winning Olympic athlete, and a group of librarians all have in common? They claimed Six Flags Magic Mountain discriminated against them due to their race.

· Which NFL prospect took a 35-foot drop from a gondola ride at Busch Gardens and lived to tell about it?

· Ever hear the old saying, "Bad things happen in threes"? In one evening, three people died at the largest amusement park in the mid-west.

Strap on your seat belt and pull down the lap bar. These stories and many more are featured in Amusement Park 9-1-1, when thrill rides become kill rides.

Genres: Nonfiction

138 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2014

Reviews

[Carol Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing a bit choppy, but I enjoyed reading this compilation of accidents, bad behavior. Appreciate care taken in listing sources! The famous case of kid trying to retrieve hat and being decapitated is covered, wished there was more info here on the person he injured- I understand they will not ever make a full recovery. Author mentions a Disney book is in the works, I look forward to it.

[Ann Feutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fine, but I have definitely heard more in-depth accounts on various podcasts and videos..

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing needed more editing.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many things i want to talk about, but there's just not enough room! great book, interesting stories, and explains a lot of the safety stuff cedar point does, is for a reason. as a former cedar point worker, it was interesting to see what goes on at other parks around the country. i know the stories here just scratch the surface of what can happen in a park.
i can definitely say, almost any coaster enthusiast would love this book. they'd love the discussions/arguments it would create about the stories, the facts, similar incidents at other parks, etc. (never ask a coaster enthusiast about park information you'll never get away). one enthusiast might even tell you what 'really happened' because they were there that day.
ok, now on to the few gripes, there were a few typos, sometimes a lack of fluidity between stories, and not enough cedar point stories(only because i worked there)!
overall, the book was a great slice of amusement park stories, which you might want to read after you've been to the park for the day. i would definitely read a future book on the disney parks (possibly cedar fair eventually too?).


***SIGNED***
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)

[Wendy Siegel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating material. Poorly written.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read..lots of accidents I had never heard of before.