1 dead, 3 injured after a raft overturns at amusement park in Iowa’s Altoona

At least one person died and three others were hospitalised after a raft on a water ride at an amusement park in Iowa’s Altoona overturned. The incident happened on Saturday in Altoona’s Adventureland Park where a boat with six rides on the Ranging River ride overturned. 

In an initial statement released on Saturday night, Adventureland Park said that the ride was inspected the day before “was found to be in good working order” at the time of the accident. It added that the  Raging River ride will remain closed for a more thorough inspection.

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“Altoona Fire and Police were on property and responded immediately… We want to thank them as well as Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Pleasant Hill and Delaware Township Emergency Services for their fast response … Our thoughts are with the affected families at this time,” the park had said. 

After death from the incident was reported, Adventureland Park said in a statement on Sunday night, “Adventureland is saddened to learn of the passing of one Guest involved in the Raging River accident on the evening of 7/3/21.”

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“This investigation is ongoing and the ride remains closed. Adventureland is working closely with both the State and local authorities, and would like to thank them again for their efforts. At this time, we ask for your thoughts and prayers for the Guest and their family, as well as for our team members who were onsite.”

There have been no additional updates on the people who were injured in the incident. 

However, this is not the first time a fatal incident has happened at Adventureland Park. In 2016, a 68-year-old man died after he fell onto the conveyor belt while helping riders to get out of the rafts, according to the Des Moines Register. The amusement park was fined $4,500 by the Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the incident.