More than 290 million people visited theme parks in the U.S. in 2010, enjoying 1.7 billion rides.
For all the fear associated with those rides, theme parks are extremely safe. According to the National Safety Council's survey of conditions at parks, only 1,299 of those 290 million suffered injuries.
That includes mild injuries like twisted ankles and scraped knees, Bill Powers of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions says.
Unfortunately, a few incidents have proven fatal over the years, for a variety of reasons.
Nevertheless, visitors keep coming back.
On Wednesday, Six Flags reported fourth-quarter earnings of $2.60 per share and $143.9 million in sales, well above analysts' consensus estimates for a loss of $0.99 per share and $135.2 million in sales. The stock jumped 5 percent on the day.
In light of the news, we take a look at some of the worst accidents to take place at Six Flags over the years.
Note: Eric Platt contributed to this feature.
Girl loses both feet on Superman: Tower of Power ride
Date: June 21, 2007
Park: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
Story: As the riders ascended the Superman: Tower of Power ride, a broken cable snapped, whipped around, and severed a 13-year old girl's feet.
Source: The Courier-Journal
Park employee flung from Rolling Thunder
Date: August 16, 1981
Park: Six Flags Great Adventure (N.J.)
Story: A park employee fell to his death during a test ride because, according to the park, he "may have assumed an unauthorized riding position that did not make use of the safety feature of the restraining devices."
Source: New York Times
Teenager is decapitated by Batman: The Ride roller coaster
Date: June 28, 2008
Park: Six Flags Over Georgia
Story: After losing his hat while riding the Batman: The Ride roller coaster, a teenager jumped over the fence surrounding the coaster to retrieve it. He was decapitated in the process.
Source: Fox News
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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