Superman: Tower of Power (Kentucky Kingdom)

Ride
Watch the on-ride POV
Superman: Tower of Power
The entrance after the June 2007 accident
Kentucky Kingdom
Location Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Status Defunct
Operated October 13, 1995 to June 21, 2007
Statistics
Manufacturer Intamin
Product Giant Drop
Height 177 feet
HELP

Superman: Tower of Power was a Drop Tower built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin that was previously located at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

History

The ride in 2007

When the ride opened on October 13, 1995, it was originally named Hellevator. It opened as part of the park's Halloween event.[1] In 2007, it was repainted and renamed Superman: Tower of Power.

The ride last operated on June 21, 2007. It closed after an incident and remained standing but not operating for the remainder of the season. Its permanent closure was announced on November 29, 2007. It was removed from the park during the 2008 off-season.

Incidents

On June 21, 2007, a 13-year-old girl had both feet severed by a cable while riding Superman: Tower of Power. During the ride, a malfunction caused the cable to break. Though she was able to remove the cable from her neck before the ride reached the top, it was still looped past her feet during the "drop" and shattered her left femur while cutting off both feet on the way down. The operator heard the cable snap and acknowledged unusual screaming as the car climbed, but failed to press the emergency stop button until after the ride had already dropped. The ride could not be stopped after this point.[2] Doctors were able to reattach her right foot successfully. However, her left leg had to be amputated below the knee, due to severe damage to her left foot.

References

  1. "It's a Halloscream!". The Courier-Journal. 1995-10-13. p. 28. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  2. "KDA Final Report" (PDF). Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 18 June 2011.


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