A 60-year-old woman sustained serious injuries, including a broken rib, a collapsed lung, a traumatic brain injury, and a dislocated shoulder requiring surgery, after reportedly being thrown from her seat on a roller coaster in Colorado. The woman, identified as Nicki Parker from Texas, allegedly remained strapped in while the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain Resort continued its ride, leading to her being dragged for about 20 to 30 seconds, according to her attorney and news reports.
Trent Ongert, her lawyer, stated that the situation was alarming. “It was actually wrapped around her and pulled her and she was dragged along the track as it went down,” he explained. Parker’s husband, who was riding behind her, tried to assist her as she lay on the track. “He then had to get her out because there was nobody, no way to get to her,” Ongert added, noting the significant height of the track, which is about 15 to 20 feet above ground level.
Currently, Parker remains in the hospital. A sign at the attraction claims that the “cart will stop and beep” if the seat belt disconnects.
Colorado’s Division of Oil and Public Safety is looking into the incident. The agency confirmed its investigation into what happened on the Rocky Mountain Coaster on August 17, 2026, noting that one rider was injured and that the ride would stay closed as the inquiry proceeds. They indicated that the manufacturer has been notified to issue a safety bulletin for affected operators. Interestingly, a similar ride at another resort, Purgatory Resort, is also shut down pending the investigation’s findings.
The roller coaster, which claims to be the “2nd longest alpine coaster in North America” at 5,800 feet long, is still listed as closed on its website. A statement from the resort expressed concerns for Parker’s well-being, wishing her a quick recovery. Meanwhile, inquiries have been sent to the agency, the resort, and Parker’s attorney for further insights.
