Decapitated, disfigured and crushed to death… the most gruesome Disney disasters to hit beloved theme parks

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
BENEATH the sparkle of Sleeping Beauty's Castle and the cheery tunes of Main Street USA, Disneyland and its sister parks have endured moments of sheer horror.
Over the decades, a series of gruesome incidents - from decapitations to crushing deaths have hit the beloved attractions.
17
A decapitation in Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds is one of the park's most harrowing episodes
Credit: Disney
17
Disneyland has made efforts to modernize its safety system over the years
Credit: Alamy
17
A Disneyland employee turns away a family from the closed Roger Rabbit ride after a boy was critically injured on the attraction in 2000
Credit: Getty
Tragic deaths and injuries have hit the parks in the past - but Disney has worked to modernize safety systems.
Accidents are rare these days at the attractions.
But these shocking incidents remain a sobering reminder that even in the most magical place on Earth, things can go terribly wrong.
Here is a roundup of some of the most gruesome disasters to hit Disney parks.
Decapitated on the Matterhorn Bobsleds
The snowy peaks of the Matterhorn turned into a scene of horror on January 3, 1984.
Dolly Regene Young, 47, was thrown from her bobsled and decapitated when fatally struck by another oncoming vehicle.
According to Snopes, Young's seat belt was found unbuckled, but it was never determined whether she removed it herself or if it had malfunctioned.
Her absence wasn't even noticed until the ride concluded and the grisly discovery was made.
Disney was not held legally responsible, but the shock and brutality of the incident continue to haunt the ride's history.
Crushed to death at America Sings
17
Deborah Gail Stone was crushed to death on July 8, 1974
Credit: Facebook
17
The rotating wall of the America Sings attraction closed in on her, trapping her between a moving and stationary section
Credit: Facebook
It was supposed to be a fun summer job.
But on July 8, 1974, 18-year-old Deborah Gail Stone, a promising student and new Disneyland employee, was crushed to death in front of stunned guests.
The rotating wall of the America Sings attraction closed in on her, trapping her between a moving and stationary section.
It is unclear whether a misstep or insufficient training led her to the fatal spot, according to David Koenig's book 'Mouse Tales'.
The attraction shut down for two days while emergency safety modifications — including warning lights and breakaway walls — were installed.
No official blame was cast on Disney, but the case cast a long shadow over park operations.
Dragged under Roger Rabbit ride
17
Brandon Zucker slipped from a Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin vehicle on September 22, 2000
Credit: FindaGrave
17
He was dragged beneath the car, sustaining devastating internal injuries, brain damage, and cardiac arrest
Credit: FindaGrave
A trip to Toontown turned into a medical nightmare for four-year-old Brandon Zucker, who slipped from a Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin vehicle on September 22, 2000.
He was dragged beneath the car, sustaining devastating internal injuries, brain damage, and cardiac arrest.
According to the LA Times, the lap bar may have malfunctioned, and the child had been seated near an open side.
After two years, Disney settled with the family for an undisclosed amount, without admitting fault.
The settlement's terms were not made public, but guaranteed the boy would receive medical treatment for the remainder of his life.
Brandon remained severely disabled until his death in 2009 at age 13.
He was found unresponsive at his dad's home in Anaheim and died at Children's Hospital of Orange County, the Pantagraph reported at the time.
Deadly derailment on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
17
Marcelo Torres was killed during the derailment of the Big Thunder Railroad
Credit: FindaGrave
17
10 others injured on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Credit: Alamy
17
A picture of the scene after the tragedy in 2003
Credit: ABC
A routine thrill ride became a fatal wreck on September 5, 2003, when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad derailed.
Marcelo Torres, a 22-year-old graphic designer, suffered massive internal bleeding and blunt-force trauma when the ride's locomotive detached and slammed into his passenger car.
As ABC7 News reported at the time, investigators discovered that fasteners on the train's wheel assembly had not been properly tightened — a maintenance error that caused the axle to come loose.
Ten others were injured in the crash.
Though Disney settled the lawsuit with Torres' family, the park was widely criticized for what some called a "cost-cutting culture" in the maintenance department during the early 2000s.
17
Carmen Torres, the mother of 22-year-old Marcelo Torres who was killed at Disneyland
Credit: Getty
Fatal blow on the Sailing Ship Columbia
A Christmas Eve cruise around the Rivers of America ended in death and chaos when a metal cleat tore loose from the Sailing Ship Columbia and struck two guests and a cast member in 1998.
One man, 33, later died from head injuries.
According to Aitken Law, the plaintiff's attorneys on the case, the cleat came free when a nylon rope — used in place of the standard, non-stretch hemp — snapped and recoiled, launching the hardware into the crowd.
California's OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health) fined Disney $12,500 for inadequate training and misuse of materials.
The company paid the victim's family an estimated $25 million in a settlement.
17
The Columbia sailing ship was closed following an accident on Christmas Eve in 1998
Credit: Getty
17
At least three people were injured when a rope cleat pulled loose from the front of the ship
Credit: Getty
Foot crushed on Alice in Wonderland ride
A 15-year-old boy from Mesa, Arizona, left Disneyland with broken bones after his foot became wedged between a moving ride vehicle and a guardrail on December 21, 2000.
Emergency responders were called after the teen's leg was crushed while riding the Alice in Wonderland attraction, the LA Times reported.
Investigators found that the boy had likely been dangling his leg outside the vehicle — despite visible signage and lap bar restraints advising against it.
Anaheim Fire Division Chief Kent Mastain said 'the car did exactly what it was supposed to do,' stopping automatically.
Disneyland reopened the ride just hours later and was not found liable for the accident.
Space Mountain ejection leaves teen paralyzed
17
One guest was left partially paralyzed after allegedly being thrown from his seat on Space Mountain
Credit: Disney Parks
In 1983, 18-year-old James Higgins was left partially paralyzed and brain-damaged after allegedly being thrown from his seat on Space Mountain.
Higgins sued Disney, claiming a flawed lap bar design was to blame. His attorneys sought $3.3 million in damages.
The case hinged on the ring-shaped lap bars then in use, which a physicist testified could be removed by guests, according to the LA Times.
However, under cross-examination, the expert admitted gravity and proper positioning should have kept riders in place.
The jury sided with Disney in 1985, 9–3, determining Higgins may have stood up mid-ride despite warnings.
The lap bar was eventually replaced, but no fault was ever assigned to Disney.
'Permanently disfigured' after Blizzard Beach horror
17
A Disney World fan weighing 334lbs was left 'permanently disfigured' after 'going airborne' on popular water slide
17
He was allegedly allowed on the ride despite being too heavy at Blizzard Beach in Orlando, Florida
Meanwhile in Florida, a 334-pound Disney World guest is suing the company after allegedly being 'permanently disfigured' in a water slide accident at Blizzard Beach.
Eugene Strickland filed a lawsuit in Orange County on May 29, seeking over $50,000 for 'permanent catastrophic injuries' he claims were caused by Disney's negligence.
Strickland says he was allowed to ride the Downhill Double Dipper, despite exceeding the 300-pound weight limit set by ASTM guidelines. At the time, he weighed 334 pounds.
A jury trial is scheduled for May 2027. Disney has not yet commented on the case.
The Sun reached out to Disney for comment.
Disabled woman dead after Jungle Cruise fall
17
A disabled woman died of septic shock after falling while trying to exit the Jungle Cruise in 2021
Credit: Alamy
In one of Disneyland's most recent cases, a disabled woman died of septic shock after falling while trying to exit the Jungle Cruise in 2021.
According to Business Insider, a lawsuit filed by her family claims that Disneyland employees laughed at the woman's struggles and failed to offer a wheelchair-accessible boat.
The 66-year-old suffered a broken leg that later developed into a fatal infection.
The case is still pending, with no final ruling on Disney's liability.
The allegations have raised serious questions about how the park accommodates disabled guests.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

NBC News

5 hours ago

• NBC News

Ex-Texas U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, who left office amid harassment allegations, dies at 63

Former Texas Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, who left Congress amid sexual harassment allegations, has died. He was 63. He died in a Corpus Christi hospital and suffered heart and liver problems in recent years, Steve Ray, his former longtime political consultant, said. Farenthold's wife, Debbie Farenthold, confirmed that he died Friday. Blake Farenthold was elected in 2010, upsetting long-serving Democratic U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz. Seven years later, Farenthold announced that he wouldn't seek reelection. In a video he posted on his campaign's Facebook page at the time, he denied a former aide's three-year-old accusations, which included that he'd subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired her after she complained. He apologized for an office atmosphere he said included 'destructive gossip, offhand comments, off-color jokes and behavior that in general was less than professional.' He said in the video that if he stayed in Congress, he would have spent months trying to vindicate himself. 'We all make mistakes,' Ray said Saturday. 'He made some mistakes.' Ray described him as a 'techie' who was interested in the internet and technology before getting involved in politics. 'He did a tremendous job as congressman for this area,' Ray said, noting that Farenthold cared about fighting crime and promoting transparency. 'His heart was really always in the right place.' Before becoming a congressman, Farenthold was a sidekick for a conservative radio talk show host, Ray said. 'When he decided to run, nobody in the world thought he was going to win,' Ray said. When he left office, Farenthold started his own radio show, which he continued until he died. In addition to his wife, Farenthold is survived by two adult daughters, Morgan Baucum and Amanda Lawrence, Ray said.

Scottish Sun

10 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Frantic search for boy, 15, who vanished nearly a week ago from historic town

FIND HIM Frantic search for boy, 15, who vanished nearly a week ago from historic town Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POLICE search has been launched for a 15-year-old boy who was last seen six days ago. The teen, identified as Billy, was last seen leaving his home in Camberley, Surrey, on June 15 and has not been heard from since. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

Daily Mirror

10 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Putin sends his own dead soldiers to Ukraine in 'disdain for fallen troops'

Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia repatriated at least 20 of its own dead soldiers in recent exchanges with Ukraine - 'they threw the corpses of their citizens at us,' he said Vladimir Putin's Russia has been handing over its own deceased troops to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Zelensky said the bodies of 20 Russian soldiers had been received. The exchange had been agreed in the early June talks between Ukraine and Russia. It saw Ukraine receive the bodies of 6,057 of its soldiers, while Russia said 6,060 bodies had been transferred to Ukraine and that the remains of 78 of its own soldiers were repatriated. ‌ It is not clear why there is such a large difference between the number of exchanged bodies, but Russia may have been able to recover its own dead following small territorial gains. The process was monitored by members of the Red Cross. ‌ "It has already been confirmed during repatriations that the bodies of 20 people handed over to us as our deceased soldiers are Russian," Zelensky said, describing it as a result of Moscow's disorganisation in carrying out large swaps of wounded POWs and remains of troops.. He said the Russian side insisted the dead were all Ukrainians, adding "Sometimes these bodies even have Russian passports". 'They threw the corpses of their citizens at us. This is their attitude toward war, toward their soldiers. And this is already documented. Sometimes these bodies even have Russian passports,' he said. One of the bodies is an ' Israeli mercenary' fighting for Russia, Zelensky said. It comes after Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the body of a Russian soldier being handed to Ukraine showed how Russia "treats its people with contempt". Mr Klymenko said that one of the bodies, labelled 'No. 192/25', was identified as Alexander Viktorovich Bugaev. Bugaev, born in 1974, was carrying a Russian passport and was dressed in a Russian military uniform. Officials also found a military ID that said he had served in the 1st Battalion of the 39th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade, the Kyiv Independent reported. ‌ 'This is yet another proof of how Russia treats its people with contempt, throwing their bodies onto the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers," Klymenko said. He said that Bugaev's family had been searching for him for months. The minister also said that Russia had located his remains after he went missing amid fighting close to the village of Novomykhailivka in Donetsk, but they chose to 'dump' his body. "This shows how little human life means to Russia,' said Klymenko. 'Or maybe it's just a way to avoid paying compensation to the families. But they will have to pay anyway: we are returning these bodies." As the was continues to rage in Ukraine, a total of 77 combat clashes between the two sides were recorded today, according to an update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a Facebook post.