One Of The Deadliest Accidents In U.S. History Happened Right Here In Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska is a gorgeous city with plenty to recommend it. However, it was once the site of a horrifying amusement park accident. At the time, the Krug Park incident was the deadliest roller coaster accident in United States history.

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The park was opened in 1895 by Frederick Krug Brewing Company and was basically a beer garden with amusement rides. There was a tunnel of love, a hot air balloon, an ice cream parlor, a wave machine, and a roller coaster called the Big Dipper.

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Around 6 p.m. that evening, a bolt in the braking system of one car came loose. The coaster’s chain lift continued to run and caused the malfunctioning car and three other cars to plummet 35 feet over the edge of the track.

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At the time, this was the worst roller coaster accident to ever occur in America. The Omaha City Council almost immediately passed an ordinance that banned roller coasters in Omaha. The park remained open after the accident, but attendance understandably dwindled.

Krug Park finally closed in 1940 and was landscaped into a traditional grassy park, now known as Gallagher Park. The current park includes a playground, a city swimming pool with a water slide, and three ball fields.

The story of the Krug Park accident is a tragic black mark on the history of Nebraska, but it helped pave the way for safer roller coasters and amusement park regulations.

To learn about more historic Nebraska disasters, click here.

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