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August 6, 2001

Trains Collide on Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags

Agawam, MA -- Two trains on the Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England collided Monday afternoon injuring 19 passengers.

The accident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. (EDT) when an inbound train completing the circuit failed to stop in the brake run and continued into the loading station striking another train. The train sitting in the station was stopped for boarding purposes.

According to reports at least 19 passengers were transported to area hospitals to be treated for back and neck strains. A fire department spokesman reported that there were no serious injuries.

Six Flags first aid personnel immediately responded to the scene to treat passengers while paramedics were called to the park. It was reported that ten ambulances transported guests to area hospitals for further examination and treatment.

In a statement park officials confirmed the immediate closure of the attraction and stated that they will conduct an investigation to determine the cause. It is the first known accident on this roller coaster.

Superman coined a "hypercoaster" for its layout of large drops for speed, bunny hills for airtime, high-speed helixes and no inversions was designed by Intamin of Switzerland. The coaster stands 208-feet, has a 221-foot initial drop, a top speed of 77 mph and 5,400 feet of steel track.

Intamin designed the coaster to use a state-of-the-art magnetic braking system to slow and stop the two 36-passenger trains.

This was the second-year of operation for the Superman coaster at Six Flags New England that has become the park's flagship attraction. Last week the coaster was rated the number two steel coaster in the world in a survey conducted by industry trade-journal Amusement Today.

Two similar roller coasters also designed by Intamin operate under the same name at Six Flags America (Largo, Maryland) and Six Flags Darien Lake (Buffalo, New York). It is unknown if Six Flags will close those coasters while they investigate this accident.