In a deeply unsettling turn of events, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado has sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, less than a year after a jury awarded over $205 million in damages following the tragic death of six-year-old Wongel Estifanos. The young girl fell 110 feet from the park’s Haunted Mine Drop ride in September 2021 due to a seatbelt malfunction, leading to a wrongful-death lawsuit that has now significantly impacted the park’s financial stability.
Details of the Incident
The fatal incident occurred on 5 September 2021 when Wongel fell from the ride that simulates a steep drop into a mine shaft. Investigations revealed that she had not been properly secured in her seat. Two ride operators, lacking adequate training, failed to notice the error in the seatbelt system, which indicated that the belt had not been disengaged from a previous rider. Tragically, Wongel was only holding the tail end of the seatbelt across her lap when the ride commenced.
In the aftermath, both Glenwood Caverns Holdings Limited Liability Company, the park’s parent entity, and Soaring Eagle Incorporated, the ride’s manufacturer, were named in the lawsuit. The court’s ruling, which found the park partly liable for the incident, has spurred significant financial consequences.
Bankruptcy Filing
On Monday, Glenwood Caverns Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. This legal move comes as the company grapples with the financial ramifications of the jury’s decision. According to court documents, the park had only approximately $5 million in liability insurance, considerably less than the court-ordered payout.
In a statement regarding the bankruptcy, Glenwood Caverns acknowledged the profound grief of the Estifanos family, emphasising that the filing aims to stabilise the business and protect its future. The park reassured visitors that operations would continue seamlessly, stating, “The Chapter 11 process will allow Glenwood Caverns to continue operating while creating a structured, court-supervised process that ensures fairness and transparency as it pursues reorganisation.”
The Broader Implications
The heartbreaking case has raised critical questions about ride safety and operational protocols within amusement parks. Following the incident, Glenwood Caverns has worked with independent engineers to redesign the ride’s restraint system, acknowledging that the original design was flawed. This tragic event has sparked a conversation about the importance of rigorous staff training and comprehensive safety measures in amusement parks across the region.
Why it Matters
The bankruptcy of Glenwood Caverns signals broader implications for the amusement park industry, particularly concerning safety regulations and operational accountability. It underscores the critical need for enhanced training for staff and rigorous safety checks to prevent future tragedies. As the park navigates this challenging chapter, the emphasis on providing a secure environment for visitors remains paramount—not only for the park’s reputation but also for the safety of families seeking recreation. The Estifanos family’s loss serves as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved, urging the industry to prioritise safety above all else.
