Colorado investigation begins after woman launched off ski resort’s alpine coaster

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Colorado officials are investigating after a woman was ejected from a ski resort’s alpine coaster and dragged along the track, leaving her hospitalized with extensive injuries.

Nicki Parker, a Texas native, was riding the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain ski resort in Frisco, a scenic town in the Rocky Mountains, on August 17 when she was launched from her seat as the coaster rounded a curve, KDVR reported.

Her seatbelt was still fastened as she was flung from the ride, her lawyer, Trent Ongert, told the outlet.

“It was actually wrapped around her and pulled her and she was dragged along the track as it went down,” he said.

Parker’s husband, who was riding in the car behind her and watched the horrifying scene unfold, went down to help her.

A woman was ejected from a Colorado alpine coaster and left hospitalized with serious injuries earlier this month (Google Maps)

“She was lying on the track. He then had to get her out because there was nobody, no way to get to her,” Ongert said. “They’re about 15 to 20 feet off the ground.”

Parker was dragged by the coaster for about 20 to 30 seconds, causing her to suffer extensive injuries. She came out of the incident with a broken rib that punctured and collapsed her lung, a dislocated shoulder that needed surgery and a traumatic brain injury, according to the report.

Parker remains hospitalized, 10 days after her injury, and will continue to require extensive medical treatment, her lawyer said.

There is a sign at the start of the coaster that says the ride will automatically stop and a beeping noise will alarm if a seatbelt becomes unfastened mid-ride. However, the car continued to move even after Parker was ejected, Parker’s lawyer said.

“That’s how we know that never occurred. Her car actually continued on even after she was thrown from it,” he said.

Copper Mountain confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “On Monday, Aug. 17, Copper Mountain Patrol responded to an incident involving a guest on the Rocky Mountain Coaster. When members of patrol arrived, the guest was seated in the cart with their seatbelt fastened.”

Patrol helped Parker to the base area, where first responders with Summit Fire & EMS met her to provide her care.

“The Coaster is closed while Copper Mountain works with the state Division of Oil and Public Safety and the manufacturer to review the incident,” Copper Mountain said.

“Our thoughts are with the guest, and we wish them a speedy recovery,” the resort added.

The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety and the Colorado Amusement Rides and Devices Program are both investigating the incident. The coaster will remain closed while the investigation is ongoing, state officials said.

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