A Missouri couple, Chris and Cassie Evins, are being hailed for their quick thinking and courage after they saved a young girl on a roller coaster ride at the Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. The incident took place on October 11 when the couple decided to enjoy a ride on the Mamba roller coaster.
The Evins were seated in front of the young girl when they heard a chilling scream from behind them. At first, they assumed the girl was merely frightened, but they quickly understood the severity of the situation when the girl cried out that her seatbelt had come undone.
Reacting instantly, the couple took action. Chris Evins slid his arm under the girl’s lap bar, which had a significant gap between it and the girl. He held onto her wrist while his wife pressed down on the girl’s legs. As season ticket holders, the couple was familiar with the roller coaster’s twists and turns, which helped them anticipate when to secure the girl more firmly in her seat as the coaster reached speeds of up to 75 mph.
As the roller coaster climbed each hill, Chris Evins realized the force could potentially lift the girl out of her seat. He adjusted their positions to push down on her whole body, preventing her from being ejected from her seat. The couple managed to keep the girl secure until the ride came to a halt.
A photograph taken by the ride’s camera captured the terrifying moment, showing the girl screaming as the Evins did their best to keep her safe. After the ride, the couple was separated from the girl in the ensuing chaos and never had a chance to speak with her or her family. However, they expressed relief that she was safe.
Reflecting on the incident, Chris Evins pondered what could have happened if someone else had been in their seats. He expressed gratitude that they were able to prevent a potential tragedy.
Following the incident, Worlds of Fun shut down the ride for a thorough inspection. A spokesperson for the amusement park stated that the ride underwent a comprehensive safety review and modifications were made to meet or exceed safety standards. The Missouri Department of Public Safety also inspected the Mamba on April 25 and again on October 30 after a spot inspection resulted in the ride being temporarily closed.