The Top 13 Most Dangerous Roller Coasters Still Running Today

Roller coasters are fun and thrilling to ride. Also, they can give you a story you will never forget. But roller coasters are also incredibly dangerous. In fact, they can be so dangerous that they can cause harm. One should always practice caution when choosing to ride a roller coaster. Unfortunately, some of them are not as sturdy.

People have gotten hurt on roller coasters in the past. Sadly, some have died. Many of these roller coasters did not have a bad reputation. Yet, tragedy happened, and people suffered. Roller coasters have been around since 1884 in America, and the oldest roller coaster in the world is in Pennsylvania. However, there are possibilities that earlier concepts existed earlier. They have remained thrilling and dangerous today.

Today, we will discuss the 13 most dangerous roller coasters still running today while analyzing why they are dangerous and why they are legitimately frightening.

13. Ghostrider (Knott’s Berry Farm) – Buena Park, CA

The first one on the list is sure to leave you stiff. Additionally, it is something that could result in injury. The concept for GhostRider began in 1997 when the owners of the theme park wanted to create a new, bigger, roller coaster for their customers. Eventually, it led to the idea of a new wooden roller coaster emerging as the top candidate. GhostRider opened on December 8, 1998, in front of many excited parkgoers. Significantly, it remains one of the most popular rides today.

But the ride has also had incidents over the years that helped it earn its place on this list, especially in California. Unfortunately, the first incident occurred less than a year after it opened as a piece of wood from the ride fell apart from the top rail and dropped toward the bottom, injuring five passengers. Knotts closed the park for six days for modifications and reopened it on August 30, 1999.

But the issues did not end there. Significantly, a report by the Orange County Register revealed that there had been 28 injuries reported by people who rode this ride from 2009-2010. Many people reported that the ride gave them head injuries. Meanwhile, others alleged the ride gave them cracked ribs or cuts to the face. It is a ride that causes stiffness since it is wooden. Unfortunately, that is why it earns its place on this list as one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today.

12. Twisted Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain) – Valencia, CA

Twisted Colossus is a rebranding of one of the oldest rides in California. Initially, the ride debuted as Colossus. The reason for the rebranding was due to the incidents it endured over the years. Unfortunately, tragedy forced the rebrand, and the ride still has its dangers.

A 20-year-old woman fell to her death while riding Colossus in 1978. Additionally, there was a fire that broke out in 2014 when park workers were taking apart the track. It forced the theme park to close the ride and rebrand it as Twisted Colossus.

But that did not end the incidents. Sadly, an 8-year-old girl suffered a head wound when a cell phone hit her in the end. Ultimately, that was something that had nothing to do with the ride.

Twisted Colossus rises 121 feet into the air. Then, it takes a 128-feet drop at speeds as fast as 57 miles per hour. The thrill element of this ride remains high. Ultimately, so is the danger.

11. Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure) – Jackson, NJ

The world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, the concept for Kingda Ka, came in 2004. Then, the ride opened in 2005. The ride measures 456 feet tall and goes up to 128 miles per hour. Ultimately, it is an amazing test for the thrill seeker.

But Kingda Ka has had issues over the years. Regrettably, the first incident took place on June 8, 2005, when a liner from the coaster got loose, causing an issue in the traction of the rides, which accounted for the speed. This incident forced Six Flags Great Adventure to close the ride for two months.

The strangest incident occurred in May 2009 when lightning struck the ride. Ultimately, it forced Six Flags Great Adventure to close the ride for three months. There was more turmoil on August 27, 2011, when Hurricane Irene struck. Unfortunately, it forced a closure until April 2012.

A park guest sued Six Flags Great America in 2019, alleging he had suffered multiple injuries after riding the ride. Moreover, he insisted that the harness did not protect him fully, given his height. There was a more recent incident in 2023 when a launch cable snapped loose while people were on the ride. Thankfully, no one suffered any injuries.

Kingda Ka has had more than its share of problems. Additionally, with its height and extreme speed, it remains one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today.

10. SheiKra (Busch Gardens) – Tampa, FL

Not many people know about SheKra. However, people in Florida know about this ride. SheKra is 200 feet high and can go up to 70 miles per hour.

SkeiKra has mainly avoided incidents. However, there have been some that have helped it earn its place on this list. The ride had an electrical issue in 2005, which stranded riders for an hour. Then, the ride stalled in 2016 with 64 people hanging over 200 feet in the air.

Of all the rides on this list, this ride has had the least amount of issues with no injuries. Regardless, the level of velocity with this ride, in addition to the height, makes this ride incredibly treacherous.

9. Titan (Six Flags Over Texas) – Arlington, TX

Six Flags makes the list again. Allegedly, Titan has caused people in Texas to black out while on the ride. This is a ride that is 245 feet high and drops the rider 255 feet down from the top at 85 miles per hour. Furthermore, another thing that makes this ride dangerous is the combination with the ferocious Texas heat.

Riders in the summer have experienced illness due to the sharp turns. Additionally, they have complained about headaches. The elements, mixed with the twists of this ride, make it one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today.

8. Orion (King’s Island) – Mason, OH

When the world was creating Giga coasters, the concept of Orion came into play. Eventually, it opened as the seventh Giga coaster in the world. A Giga coaster is a ride that drops the rider at least 300 feet from its highest point at speeds of up to 91 miles per hour.

Orion has not had any incidents with people on board. Regardless, it does not prevent it from earning its spot on this list due to its sheer size and turns.

7. Shambhala (Port Ventura) – Spain

One of the world’s tallest hypercoasters is an incredible sight to see. Additionally, it is incredibly dangerous, and it was at one point the tallest roller coaster in the world.

People who come to Spain might visit Port Ventura. Ultimately, they might see Shambhala during their visit. Shambhala is a fascinating site as it goes as high as 249 feet high with a 256-foot drop at 83 miles per hour. So far, it has been one of the most successful rides in the world. But the ride has such a high velocity with a dangerous drop that it earns its spot on this list.

6. Cyclone (Luna Park) – Coney Island, NY

The Cyclone makes its appearance on this list, and it is not hard to see why. Sadly, people have died while riding this ride. The first tragedy occurred on May 26, 1985, when a beam struck and killed a 29-year-old man who was standing on the ride. Later, in 1988, a maintenance worker fell from the ride after standing on the ride as it made its drop, which caused him to fall 30 feet to his death.

Another tragedy occurred in 2007 when a 53-year-old man suffered crushed vertebrae while partaking in the ride. Sadly, the injuries and complications from the surgery caused him to die a few days later.

There was a woman who suffered severe injuries while riding the Cyclone in 2008. Furthermore, a man alleged in March 2018 that he suffered injuries after a metal bolt struck him.

The tragedies are ironic since the ride is only 85 feet tall with a 60-mile-per-hour speed. Yet, its age and the numerous people that have ridden it over the years have helped land it on this list. The Cyclone remains open and remains one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today.

5. The Boomerang (Prater Park) – Vienna

The Boomerang is a ride that is all across the world. However, the one in Vienna has had people complain about pain from riding the coaster. The Boomerang is not any larger or faster than the typical coaster. Regardless, there seem to be more injuries from this brand of roller coaster.

There were three injuries in one day on the Boomerang in Maryland. Additionally, there were other reports of injuries on the Boomerang in St. Louis in 2016 and New Jersey in 2022. Unfortunately, this brand of roller coaster has had numerous incidents throughout the decades. It is why it earns its place on this list as one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today.

4. The Star Flyer (Edinburgh Christmas Market) – Scotland

The Star Flyer literally fell apart during a ride in 2013, according to witnesses who reported to the BBC. Thankfully, the ride operators caught it, and the structure did not threaten anyone on the ride or on the ground. But it does not change the fact that the Star Flyer could have harmed someone based on the velocity and the height alone.

Combine that with the high winds experienced that day and throughout the year, and you get a potential recipe for disaster. Significantly, the Star Flyer is slightly different from the other roller coasters on this list, as there are no tracks or carts. It is a spinning motion ride that hurls you repeatedly in a circular motion. Ultimately, it is safe when properly maintained. But it could easily have spelled disaster for the people on the ride that day had it not been for the quick-thinking actions of the ride operators.

3. Insanity Ride (The Strat Hotel and Casino) – Las Vegas, NV

If you have ever been to Nevada, you have probably been to Las Vegas. Likewise, you probably have visited the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino (not called the Strat). The hotel measures at 1,149 feet tall. Amazingly, it makes it the tallest structure in Vegas as well as the fifth-tallest on the planet. Now imagine putting a roller coaster on top of that building.

The Strat has four thrill rides right on top of the hotel. Ultimately, only one of them makes this list today. The Insanity Ride is insane because it is a spinning ride that literally spins you off the edge of the hotel, 1,149 feet above the ground. Yes, you are in a protected chair. But it doesn’t prevent the feeling of being on the edge.

One of the factors that makes this ride so dangerous is that it’s perched above one of the tallest hotels in the world in a desert with some strong winds. Therefore, there is always a chance that the intense winds can cause issues for ride-goers, as extremely strong winds have caused the ride to shut down automatically in the past. It is a frightening prospect, being stuck on top of a spinning ride on top of one of the tallest buildings in the world. Consequently, Insanity is currently closed for maintenance as they try and prevent future issues with the ride.

2. Formula Rossa (Ferrari World) – United Arab Emirates

Formula Rossa has the distinct honor of being the fastest roller coaster in the world. Thus, it earns its place on this list as one of the most dangerous roller coasters still running today. The roller coaster can speed up to 149 miles per hour. Furthermore, it was so fast that F1 drivers did a test on it before it reopened in 2017.

The Formula Rossa has also instituted safety protocols to prevent ride-goers from sustaining injuries during the ride. First, every person who goes on the ride must wear safety goggles to prevent particles from getting into their eyes when at top speed. There is also a height requirement, as riders must be 140-195 cm to partake in the Formula Rossa.

1. Steel Dragon (Nagashima Spa Land) – Japan

We have arrived at the first. Initially, it might have been Do-Dodonpa, a ride in Japan that allegedly injured four people during a ride in 2021. But the ride has closed, and there is no indication if it might return. Instead, the Steel Dragon lays its claim to the top spot.

The Steel Dragon has been mainly safe for years. However, there was an incident in 2003 when one of the trains lost a wheel due to a fractured shared axel. The wheel caused major back injuries to a person who was swimming in the water pool nearby. Consequently, it forced a ride closure for three years.

But the ride returned and has been operating since. Significantly, the ride stems at 318 feet high while also taking the rider on a 307-foot drop. The design of the ride of airtime hills and staunch breaks of the ride toward the end. Furthermore, it takes passengers through two tunnels. It is also reportedly the longest roller coaster on Earth, increasing the potential for incident. Ultimately, it is a ride of fury that stands the test of time but also has the scariest course, which earns it the title of most dangerous roller coaster on Earth.

Summary of the Top 13 Most Dangerous Roller Coasters Still Running Today

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