5 Shocking Facts About The Six Flags Over Texas 'Superman Accident'—And The Real Fatality That Changed Everything
The search for information regarding a "Six Flags Over Texas Superman accident" often leads to a confusing mix of an infamous 2007 incident that happened in another state, a recent viral video hoax, and a separate, real fatality at the Arlington park. As of December 22, 2025, the most current information confirms that while the Superman: Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Over Texas is operational, a deadly accident did not occur on this specific ride at this location. The true, tragic event that shocked the park and led to significant safety overhauls was the 2013 death on the park's flagship roller coaster, the New Texas Giant.
This article cuts through the misinformation to provide a definitive look at the history of the park's safety incidents, the confusion surrounding the Superman ride, and the detailed aftermath of the 2013 tragedy. Understanding the distinction between the ride, the location, and the actual events is crucial for anyone seeking the truth about safety at this iconic Texas theme park.
The True Story of the New Texas Giant Fatality: Rosa Esparza's Biography
While the keyword "Superman accident" is often searched, the most significant fatality at Six Flags Over Texas in recent history occurred on the New Texas Giant roller coaster. The victim was Rosa Esparza, a mother and grandmother whose story brought national attention to amusement park safety regulations in Texas.
- Full Name: Rosa Ayala-Gaona Esparza (often referred to as Rosa Esparza or Rosy Esparza)
- Age: 52 years old
- Date of Incident: Friday, July 19, 2013
- Time of Incident: Approximately 6:40 PM
- Ride: New Texas Giant (a steel-hybrid roller coaster)
- Location: Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas
- Circumstance of Death: Esparza was ejected from her seat, reportedly falling 75 feet to her death after expressing concern that her lap bar restraint had not fully engaged.
- Family Status: She was a mother and grandmother visiting the park with her family.
The tragic event occurred as the coaster was navigating a curve on the 14-story ride. Eyewitness accounts from her family immediately focused on the issue of the safety restraint, which they claimed did not properly click into place before the ride began its ascent. This incident served as a devastating wake-up call for the entire amusement park industry, highlighting the critical importance of restraint mechanisms and operator diligence.
The 'Superman Accident' Confusion and Recent Hoaxes (2024/2025)
The persistent search term "Six Flags Over Texas Superman accident" is rooted in two distinct, but often conflated, events: a real tragedy at a different park and a recent, widespread social media hoax.
The 2007 Kentucky Kingdom Tragedy
The most infamous accident involving a "Superman: Tower of Power" ride actually occurred on June 21, 2007, at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (a park no longer owned by Six Flags). This is the incident most people recall when searching the term. A broken cable on the drop tower ride severed the feet of 14-year-old Kaitlyn Lassiter just above the ankles. This horrific event was widely publicized and is frequently misattributed to the Texas park due to the identical ride name.
The Superman: Tower of Power at Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 2003, is an S&S combo drop tower ride, one of the tallest of its kind in the world. Despite the identical name, the Texas version was not involved in the 2007 cable incident.
The 2024/2025 Viral Video Hoax
In a bizarre twist that keeps the search term current, a viral video circulated on social media in late 2024 and early 2025, claiming to show a small child or a parkgoer dangling from the Superman: Tower of Power at the Arlington location. This video caused a fresh wave of panic and news coverage.
Park authorities and news outlets swiftly confirmed that the video was a complete hoax. A representative for Six Flags Over Texas issued a statement clarifying that "there was no incident at the park" related to the dangling video. This highlights how old fears and misinformation can be amplified by social media, forcing the park to constantly debunk false claims.
The Aftermath: Safety Enhancements and Legal Battles
The 2013 New Texas Giant fatality was a pivotal moment for Six Flags Over Texas and for amusement park safety across the state. The ensuing investigation, legal action, and operational changes have had a lasting impact on the park's procedures.
The Cause and The Lawsuit
The investigation into Rosa Esparza’s death focused on the lap bar restraint system. While initial reports suggested the victim’s size may have played a role in the restraint not fully securing her, the core issue became a dispute over the ride's design and operation. Texas, unlike many other states, has relatively lax regulations for fixed-site amusement park rides, relying heavily on insurance company inspections rather than state oversight.
The Esparza family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Six Flags Over Texas and the ride's manufacturer, Gerstlauer. The legal battle became a complex finger-pointing exercise: Six Flags sued Gerstlauer, claiming a design flaw, while Gerstlauer counter-sued, arguing the park was at fault for improper training and operation. The case was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
Mandatory Safety Enhancements
In the wake of the tragedy, Six Flags Over Texas implemented critical safety enhancements to the New Texas Giant before reopening it to the public. These changes were designed to prevent a similar incident from ever happening again:
- Restraint Bar Pads: New, thicker restraint bar pads were installed to better secure riders of all sizes.
- Proximity Sensors: A new mechanism was added to the ride’s control system. This system prevents the train from dispatching from the station if a lap bar is not properly attached and locked, providing a final, automated check that was not previously in place.
- Operator Training: Increased emphasis was placed on operator training to ensure staff physically check and double-check every rider's restraint before dispatch.
These modifications reflect a broader industry move toward automated safety checks and redundancy in restraint systems, ensuring that human error is mitigated by technology. The incident also spurred national discussion about the need for standardized federal or state-level amusement park regulations, especially in states like Texas that rely on private insurance inspections.
Other Notable Incidents in Six Flags Over Texas History
While the New Texas Giant fatality is the most recent and relevant tragedy, Six Flags Over Texas has a history of other incidents that contribute to the park's safety record and the overall topical authority of this subject. The park has been operating since 1961, making its history important context.
- The Big Bend Derailment (1973): An early incident involved the Big Bend roller coaster, where a train derailed and collided with another, injuring five people. The ride was eventually removed from the park.
- Prior Texas Giant Injuries: State records from the Texas Department of Insurance showed that the original Texas Giant roller coaster had reported 14 injuries between 2008 and 2013, prior to the fatal New Texas Giant incident. This history underscores a pattern of safety concerns surrounding the ride's design and operation even before the fatal accident.
The legacy of the 2013 tragedy and the constant misinformation surrounding the Superman: Tower of Power ride serve as a powerful reminder of the risks inherent in high-speed, high-altitude amusement park attractions. The park continues to face scrutiny, but the safety enhancements and procedural changes implemented following the New Texas Giant accident represent a commitment to preventing future tragedies and ensuring the safety of its millions of annual visitors.
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