Decapitated, disfigured and crushed to death… the most gruesome Disney disasters to hit beloved theme parks
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.
Read more Disney stories
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
Her absence wasn't even noticed until the ride concluded and the grisly discovery was made.
Most read in The US Sun
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
King Charles leads birthday wishes to Prince William with unseen pic as he turns 43
KING Charles has wished his son Prince William a happy 43rd birthday. The monarch shared a sweet unseen photograph of his eldest son to mark the special occasion today. It was captioned: 'Happy Birthday to the Prince of Wales!". King Charles shared the image, of Wills sitting against a countryside backdrop, on the official Royal Family Instagram platform. 1 King Charles wished a Happy Birthday to Prince William 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. Read More Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Woman, 44, dies after stabbing inside shop as man, 47, arrested on suspicion of murder
A WOMAN has been stabbed to death inside a shop in broad daylight as cops arrest a man, 47, on suspicion of murder. Police were called to Stanley Road, in Bootle, Merseyside, on Friday evening at just after 5pm. Advertisement Emergency services responded to reports of a 44-year-old woman being knifed in the torso. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man, from Widnes, on suspicion of attempted murder. He was re-arrested on suspicion of murder after the victim died later in hospital. Merseyside Police Det Insp Gavin Mulcahy said: "It is desperately sad that a woman lost her life earlier today as a result of this incident. Advertisement "Our thoughts first and foremost are with her family, who are now left to grieve her loss in the most tragic of circumstances. They will be fully supported by specialist officers in the coming days and weeks." Det Insp Mulchahy added: "We are in the very early stages of our investigation but this is currently being treated as a domestic assault in which the suspect and victim knew each other, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it." Anyone with information, or may who been in the area at the time, has been urged to come forward. 1 Police were called to Stanley Road, in Bootle, Merseyside, on Friday evening at just after 5pm Advertisement More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Most read in The Sun Latest 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
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man in 40s shot dead outside Costco in broad daylight horror
COPS raced to the scene of a fatal shooting outside of a busy Costco. The horrifying attack took place in broad daylight and took the life of a 40-year-old man. Advertisement 3 A man has been shot dead outside of Costco Credit: UKNIP 3 The victim's family has been informed about his death Credit: UKNIP The shooting took place at 5pm on Thursday evening outside of Paramedics treated the victim at the scene but were unable to revive him. His family have been informed and detectives from the Met's Major Incident team have launched an investigation. Speaking about the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten said: "This was a tragic incident and my thoughts are with the man's family at this difficult time. Advertisement Read More on Crime "Our team of specially trained officers are supporting them as are our investigation progresses. "Our enquiries are ongoing and we would urge any witnesses to come forward and share information with us." "Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information that could help the investigation, please contact the police on 101 quoting CAD 6530/19JUN. "To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit Advertisement Most read in The Sun 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 3 Police are now investigating the events leading up to the killing Credit: UKNIP Advertisement
