World's Fastest Rollercoaster Shut Down In Japan Amid Reports Of Neck Injuries, Broken Bones In Riders

The world's fastest rollercoaster, the Do-Dodonpa in Japan, has been shut down indefinitely earlier this month for a "safety overhaul” after at least four riders reported neck injuries and broken bones from the attraction in Fujiyoshida, the theme park, which houses the coaster, announced on Friday.

The coaster at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is reportedly also responsible for the bone fractures of at least two more people who boarded the ride, which sends guests to a 156-foot drop at a "super death" speed of 112 mph after just 1.56 seconds, the Insider reported.

The Do-Dodonpa is also dubbed the fastest-accelerating rollercoaster in the world and boasts the world's largest loop, with a diameter of 130 feet, according to Fuji-Q's website. The coaster was built in 2001 and was upgraded in 2017 to increase its top speed from 106 mph to 112 mph.

The safety overhaul comes following reports of injuries, according to Sansei Technologies, the company that built the roller coaster. However, officials are noting that "the causal relationship between injuries and amusement machines has not yet been confirmed."

Fuji-Q Highland conducted maintenance checks of the ride after injuries were reported between May and June this year. Assessment of the ride would later find nothing unusual.

It was only after a man in his 30s emerged to complain he had broken his bones after riding the coaster earlier this month that the park ultimately decided to suspend Do-Dodonpa's operations, the New York Daily News noted.

Outside experts have suggested that the force of the ride’s acceleration or improper sitting on the coaster may have resulted in the injuries.

Another rider, who was injured on the Do-Dodonpa in December, shared that she was possibly leaning forward during the ride instead of leaning back in her seat, which is the proper way of riding Do-Dodonpa.

Meanwhile, in another incident involving rollercoasters, a woman is fighting for her life after she was hit in the head by a piece of falling metal the size of “a man’s hand” at Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park. The incident left her in intensive care with a brain injury.

The victim, Rachel Hawes, 44, sustained the injury on Aug. 15 while waiting in line for the Top Thrill Dragster after an L-shaped bracket attached to the back of the train car dislodged, according to David Miran, the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s chief of amusement rides, on Monday.

The Top Thrill Dragster will remain closed at least through the end of the year, authorities said.