Family Awarded $205 Million After Child’s Fatal Theme Park Ride Accident in Colorado

The Estifanos family was awarded $205million after winning a lawsuit over the tragic death

A Colorado jury has awarded $205 million to the family of six-year-old Wongel Estifanos, who tragically fell to her death from a theme park ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in September 2021.

Wongel was visiting the Glenwood Springs amusement park with her family when she boarded the Haunted Mine Drop, a thrill ride that plunges riders ten stories in darkness. Her seatbelt was not properly fastened or checked by park staff, and she was ejected shortly after the ride began, suffering fatal injuries. Investigators later discovered she had been sitting on top of a previously buckled seatbelt from another rider.

An alarm warning of the improperly secured restraint was triggered but ignored by a Glenwood Caverns employee, who reset the system and started the ride.

Six-year-old Wongel Estifanos died after not being strapped adequately into a ride at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Wongel’s parents, Dagne and Rahel Estifanos, filed a wrongful death lawsuit, with jurors ruling that their daughter’s death was caused by negligence at the park.

Glenwood Caverns has since warned that the massive verdict could force the park to close permanently, jeopardizing hundreds of local jobs. Spokesperson Kimberly Marcum argued that the ride’s manufacturer, Soaring Eagle Inc., should bear responsibility, stating: “Soaring Eagle manufactured the Haunted Mine Drop with a defective restraint system that caused this heartbreaking accident. Soaring Eagle certified to Glenwood Caverns that the ride met all applicable standards, but that was not true.”

A state probe found that the operators ignored a safety alarm and started the ride anyway

Marcum added that the park has since worked with independent safety experts to prevent further tragedies.

Attorney Dan Caplis, representing the Estifanos family, said: “Wongel’s parents are deeply grateful to the jury for following the evidence to a just verdict, and for recognizing the dignity and importance of their daughter Wongel. They are also grateful to the court for ensuring a fair trial and to the courthouse staff for their humane and professional work.”

Prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges against Glenwood Caverns, citing difficulties in proving manslaughter. The civil wrongful death case was transferred to Garfield County District Court, where the jury delivered its verdict.

The Haunted Mine Drop has now been revamped as the Crystal Tower, which opened in 2022, featuring an entirely new theme that takes guests on a ride through a crystal-filled cave

The Haunted Mine Drop was permanently closed after Wongel’s death. The attraction was later redesigned and rebranded as the Crystal Tower, which opened in 2023. The revamped ride features a crystal cave theme and enhanced safety measures, including a cage enclosure around the seating area. The park markets it as an entirely new attraction without reference to the Haunted Mine Drop.

Prosecutors did not pursue criminal charges; the family filed for a wrongful death case instead