A Colorado jury has ordered Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to pay $205 million in damages for the death of 6-year-old Wongel Estifanos, who fell more than 100 feet from a ride in 2021. The verdict, delivered Friday at Garfield County District Court, represents one of the largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in Colorado history.

According to Fox News, the tragic incident occurred during Labor Day weekend when Estifanos, visiting from Colorado Springs with her family, boarded the Haunted Mine Drop ride. Investigation documents revealed the young girl was seated on top of still-buckled restraints from a previous rider and was never properly secured before the ride began.

Despite a warning alarm that sounded, ride operators overrode the system and initiated the attraction, which plunged riders 110 feet into a darkened shaft. The ride, which was the first of its kind to drop passengers underground, has since been permanently closed following the fatal incident.

Operator Negligence and System Override Led to Tragedy

Court documents showed that multiple staff errors contributed to the fatal accident, including failure to prepare seat belts before boarding began. The family's 2022 lawsuit alleged not only operator negligence but also claimed the park ignored repeated customer complaints about unsafe practices on the ride.

The Haunted Mine Drop was designed to simulate a ghostly experience, with riders secured in bench-like seats before plummeting downward in total darkness. After the freefall, glowing lanterns would illuminate the mine walls as riders returned to the loading platform.

Investigators concluded that when the warning system detected Estifanos wasn't properly secured, operators made the critical error of overriding the safety alarm instead of addressing the issue. This catastrophic decision allowed the ride to operate with the child unsecured, resulting in her fatal fall.

Theme Park Blames Manufacturer for Defective System

Kimberly Marcum, marketing director for Glenwood Caverns, issued a statement placing blame on co-defendant Soaring Eagle Inc., which manufactured the ride. She claimed the company had "manufactured the Haunted Mine Drop with a defective restraint system that caused this heartbreaking accident."

The theme park further alleged that Soaring Eagle had certified the attraction as safe despite the restraint system's defects. Marcum expressed condolences to the Estifanos family while noting the park was "exploring all options" to continue operations.

Fox News Digital reported attempts to contact Soaring Eagle Inc. for comment were unsuccessful. The manufacturer's role in the design and certification of the ride's safety systems became a central point of contention during the trial.

Justice for Wongel After Four-Year Legal Battle

The family's attorney stated that for four years, Glenwood Caverns denied fault for Wongel's death. The parents pursued the case to trial to establish what truly happened and to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Prosecutors had previously declined to pursue criminal charges against the theme park, citing difficulties in proving manslaughter. However, the civil trial provided the Estifanos family an opportunity to present their case and seek accountability.

The attorney added that the family expressed gratitude to the people of Garfield County for their kindness throughout the lengthy trial process. The substantial verdict represents a measure of justice for the family after years of fighting for recognition of the negligence that led to their daughter's death.

Broader Implications for Theme Park Safety Standards

This case highlights ongoing concerns about amusement ride safety protocols and the critical importance of proper restraint systems. The Haunted Mine Drop, which operated from 2017 until the 2021 incident, was marketed as an innovative attraction that combined the thrill of a vertical drop with the unique experience of plunging underground.

Following the tragedy, increased scrutiny has been placed on theme park operations, particularly regarding operator training and adherence to safety protocols. The case underscores the potentially devastating consequences when warning systems are overridden or ignored.

The $205 million verdict sends a powerful message about accountability in the amusement industry and may influence safety standards and practices at theme parks nationwide. For the Estifanos family, while no amount of money can replace their daughter, the verdict represents acknowledgment of the preventable nature of the tragedy.