1 Dead, 3 Injured After Raft Flips On Water Ride At Iowa Amusement Park

A raft overturned on a water attraction at an amusement park in Iowa, killing one person and injuring three more.

The event happened on Saturday, July 3, at Adventureland Park, when a boat on the Raging River ride with six passengers on board turned upside down.

"On 7/3/21 at 7:30, Altoona Police and the Altoona Fire Department responded to a medical emergency at Adventureland Park at the Raging River," Lieutenant A. Wilson with the Altoona Police Department said in a statement on Twitter. "Six passengers were on the raft when it overturned. Three critical patients and one minor injury patient were transported to a local hospital."

According to Adventureland Park, the attraction had been examined the day before. It was "confirmed to be in good operating order" at the time of the tragedy. The Raging River ride will be closed for a more complete assessment.

On Sunday night, Fox 12 Oregon reported Adventureland Park issued a second statement regarding the death of an injured rider.

"Adventureland is saddened to learn of the passing of one Guest involved in the Raging River accident on the evening of 7/3/21," the park's Sunday statement said per New York Post. "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 onsite team members]."

There have been no more updates on the other three wounded riders' conditions.

This isn't the first time a fatal tragedy has occurred connected with Adventureland Park's Raging River attraction.

Des Moines Register said Steve Booher, a 68-year-old Adventureland Park employee, died in 2016 while working on the attraction. According to the article, he was helping riders off the rafts at the end of the ride when he went onto the conveyor belt, sustaining a fractured skull and a significant brain injury. Four days later, Booher passed away.

According to the Des Moines Register, Iowa's Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the theme park $4,500. It's the maximum fine the agency could levy for that type of infringement.

The event on Saturday is still being investigated, and the attraction will stay closed throughout that time.