Colorado Jury Awards $205M in Wrongful Death Case After 6-Year-Old Falls From Ride
A Colorado jury has awarded $205 million to the family of a 6-year-old girl who died after falling 100 feet from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The verdict, the largest wrongful death award in state history for a single plaintiff, follows a 2021 incident where the Haunted Mine Drop ride’s defective restraints led to the tragedy.
The 6-year-old, Wongel Estifanos, was visiting the park with her family over Labor Day weekend when she was improperly secured before the ride began. The investigation found that the ride’s safety restraints were not properly prepared, and a warning alarm was overridden by an operator, leading to the fatal accident. Despite repeated customer complaints, the park was alleged to have ignored these concerns, contributing to the fatal oversight.
Following the incident, the Haunted Mine Drop ride was permanently closed. Glenwood Caverns’ marketing director acknowledged that the manufacturer had certified the attraction as safe despite the flawed restraints. The family’s lawsuit emphasized not only operator negligence but also systemic failures in safety protocols, leading to the recent verdict. While criminal charges were not pursued, the civil trial provided closure for the family, who expressed gratitude for the community’s support during the prolonged legal battle.