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A 60-year-old woman suffered a broken rib, collapsed lung, a traumatic brain injury and a dislocated shoulder that required surgery after she was allegedly ejected from her seat on a Colorado roller coaster and dragged, according to reports and a law firm representing her.
Nicki Parker, of Texas, was thrown from her seat and dragged for 20 to 30 seconds after she remained strapped into her seat belt as the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain Resort kept going, FOX 31 Denver reported, citing her attorney.
“It was actually wrapped around her and pulled her and she was dragged along the track as it went down,” Trent Ongert with Bloch Ongert Injury Law told the news station.
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A view of the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado. (Google Maps)
Ongert said Parker’s husband, who was riding behind her at the time, attempted to help her.
“She was lying on the track. He then had to get her out because there was nobody, no way to get to her,” he explained. “They’re about 15 to 20 feet off the ground.”
Parker remains hospitalized, Ongert said.
A sign posted along the ride says that the “cart will stop and beep” if the seat belt is disconnected.
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Copper Mountain Resort in Frisco, Colo. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post, File)
Colorado’s Division of Oil and Public Safety’s Amusement Rides and Devices Program is investigating the incident.
“We can confirm our Division of Oil & Public Safety is investigating an incident that happened on Copper Mountain’s Rocky Mountain Coaster on Monday, August 17, 2026,” the agency told Digital. “One rider was injured in the incident. The Rocky Mountain Coaster is currently closed while the investigation continues. OPS has also told the manufacturer that they need to publish a safety bulletin and share it with all impacted operators.
“A similar ride operating at the Purgatory Resort is also closed pending the outcome of the investigation. Documentation involving the incident will not be made public until the investigation is complete.”
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The section of Rocky Mountain Coaster alpine track at Copper Mountain in Colorado. (KDVR)
The roller coaster, which is 5,800 feet long and bills itself as the “2nd longest alpine coaster in North America,” remains closed, according to its website.
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“Our thoughts are with the guest, and we wish them a speedy recovery,” the resort said in a press release sent to local outlets.
Digital has reached out to the agency, the resort and Ongert for comment.
