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Death of 6-year-old girl at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park under investigation

Park closed Monday and Tuesday

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A 6-year-old girl on vacation with her family from Colorado Springs died Sunday evening on the Haunted Mine Drop ride at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, a release from the Garfield County coroner states.

“Immediately following the incident, Glenwood Caverns employees initiated first aid until paramedics with the Glenwood Springs Fire Department arrived and determined the child had died,” Coroner Robert Glassmire states. “The investigation into the circumstances of the fatality is under investigation by the sheriff’s office and coroner’s office.”

The identity of the child is being withheld “to give the family time to notify additional family members.”



“An autopsy is scheduled with the coroner’s office forensic pathologist for this week,” the release states.

Responding agencies include the coroner, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Glenwood Springs Fire Department and Hope Center.

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Adventure Park representative Suzanne Emery released a statement Sunday night that “an incident occurred this evening at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on the Haunted Mine Drop ride that resulted in a fatality.”

The park will be closed Monday and Tuesday, the release states.

“Out of respect and concern for all parties involved, we will not have further comment until all details have been confirmed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved,” the release states.

On Monday evening, a statement from Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park General Manager Nancy Heard was released.

The statement detailed that the investigation “will include state and local authorities, as well as independent engineering and ride inspection experts and our own maintenance team.”

The statement reaffirmed the park’s closure through Tuesday.

“For everyone at Glenwood Caverns, the safety and well-being of our guests, our team and our community is what’s most important,” Heard said in the statement.

The Haunted Mine Drop ride opened on July 31, 2017, according to the park’s website. The park says it is the first drop ride in the world to go underground. It starts at the surface level of the park and descends 110 feet in under three seconds.

The nationally-recognized ride earned USA TODAY’s Best New Amusement Park Attraction in 2017.

Aspen Hope Center deployed its on-site co-response team for mental health crisis evaluation and support. It is available for individuals seeking mental health resources at 970-925-5858.


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