Who was the girl paralyzed in Cedar Point?

Rachel Hawes is suing Cedar Point after suffering a traumatic brain injury from being struck by a metal plate that detached from a roller coaster.



The individual most commonly associated with a life-altering injury at Cedar Point is Rachel Hawes. In August 2021, while she was standing in line for the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster, a metal "proximity flag plate" detached from a passing train and struck her in the back of the head. Hawes suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), skull fractures, and cerebral edema, requiring millions of dollars in medical care and permanent assistance with daily living. In April 2024, a confidential settlement was reached between Cedar Fair and the Hawes family. While she was not "paralyzed" in the sense of spinal cord severing, her injuries resulted in permanent disability. The incident led to the permanent closure of the original ride, which has since been reimagined and reopened as Top Thrill 2 with enhanced safety features.

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A new video released by Cedar Point this week teases what's ahead for the amusement park's popular Top Thrill Dragster, three years after it was shut down after a park patron was severely injured by a piece of metal that fell from the ride.

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During the ride, the 14-year-old “slipped through the gap between the seat and harness,” according to the state report. It concluded that “the cause of the accident was that Tyre Sampson was not properly secured in the seat.” The autopsy report said Tyre died from blunt force trauma.

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Tyre's death garnered national attention and cast new scrutiny on amusement park rides and their safety measures. He suffered broken bones and internal injuries in the fall, according to his autopsy, and his death was ruled accidental. Tyre weighed 383 pounds, per the autopsy, above the ride limit of about 285 pounds.

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For church organist Amy Wolfe, the love of her life is quite literally a mass of twisty tracks and loops. Wolfe says she first fell for the amusement park attraction 1001 Nachts at the tender young age of 13, and vowed to one day wed the Pennsylvania-based fairground ride.

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Rachel Hawes is suing Cedar Point after suffering a traumatic brain injury from being struck by a metal plate that detached from a roller coaster.

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In August 2023, the speculation was confirmed after Cedar Point announced plans to transform Top Thrill Dragster into a triple-launched roller coaster using linear synchronous motors. The modified coaster is scheduled to reopen in 2024 as Top Thrill 2.

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The Top Thrill 2 will make its debut during the summer season in 2024, replacing the Top Thrill Dragster which closed in August 2021. SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cedar Point on Tuesday unveiled its newest version of a fan-favorite ride — one that is said to be the world's tallest and fastest triple-launch “strata coaster.”

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At the time of its closure, Top Thrill Dragster had accommodated 18 million riders over 19 seasons. A portion of the roller coaster's track near the station was dismantled in late 2022. In January 2023, the park released the tagline A New Formula For Thrills on social media to describe the planned modifications.

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The ride was closed following an incident in 2021, in which a guest was severely injured while standing in line, and Zamperla was hired to create a new ride experience. The modified version, which will add two launches and a second tower, will open in 2024 as Top Thrill 2.

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Cedar Point retires Top Thrill Dragster coaster after 19 years — and many problems. The Top Thrill Dragster, which at one time was the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the world, is being scrapped — in its current form, anyway.

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Luke Bryan Responds to Reports That He Broke Finger at Cedar Point – Cleveland Country Magazine.

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