SATURDAY — State officials are investigating a serious incident on an alpine coaster at Copper Mountain that left a woman with major injuries and prompted the temporary closure of the ride, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said.
Incident and injuries
The episode occurred Aug. 17 on the resort’s Rocky Mountain Coaster in Summit County. Attorneys for the rider, identified in court filings as Nicola Parker of Texas, say she was thrown from her coaster car as it negotiated a turn, became entangled by her seatbelt and was dragged along the track.
Parker’s legal team described her wounds as extensive: a separated left shoulder; a broken rib that they say punctured and collapsed her left lung; a traumatic brain injury; and deep lacerations. Her attorneys said she was initially treated at a local hospital and later transferred to a trauma center because of the severity of her condition. They also reported she has required multiple surgeries.
Responses from Copper Mountain and regulators
Copper Mountain issued a statement saying its patrol responded to an incident involving the Rocky Mountain Coaster and that when staff arrived the guest "was seated in the cart with their seatbelt fastened." The resort said patrol assisted the guest to the base area and transferred care to Summit Fire & EMS.
"When members of patrol arrived, the guest was seated in the cart with their seatbelt fastened," Copper Mountain said in a statement. "Patrol assisted the guest to the base area, where care was transferred to Summit Fire & EMS."
The resort also said it is working with the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety and the manufacturer to review the incident and that the coaster remains closed while the state investigates.
The Division of Oil and Public Safety, which oversees amusement rides in Colorado, confirmed the Rocky Mountain Coaster is closed during its review. The agency said a similar ride at Purgatory Resort in Durango also has been closed pending the outcome of the investigation.
Legal statements and public reaction
Attorneys representing Parker characterized the accident as grave and preventable.
"This is a horrific incident that should have never occurred," Joseph Bloch of Bloch Ongert said in a statement.
Bloch’s firm is representing Parker and has publicly outlined the injuries and surgical treatment she has required since the incident. The attorneys say Parker was wearing her seatbelt at the time.
What regulators will review
The state agency’s investigation typically examines factors such as ride maintenance records, operator training and whether the equipment was functioning according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The Division of Oil and Public Safety has authority to inspect amusement rides statewide and to order corrective actions or closures during a probe.
Copper Mountain and the ride manufacturer are cooperating with the review, the resort said. No findings have been released publicly yet.
Timeline and current status
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 17 | Reported incident on Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain |
| Aug. 17 | Rider initially treated at nearby hospital; later moved to trauma center |
| Aug. 28 (weeks after) | Ride remains closed pending state investigation; similar ride at Purgatory also closed |
Safety context and practical information
Alpine coasters are gravity-driven attractions in which riders sit in small cars and control speed to some extent via brakes. State oversight focuses on ensuring rides are inspected and maintained and that operators follow safety procedures. When incidents occur, regulators review whether mechanical failure, operator error or other factors contributed.
For visitors planning mountain recreation, Copper Mountain said in its statement that it is cooperating with officials and expressed wishes for the rider’s recovery. Summit County emergency responders continue to be responsible for initial medical care at resort incidents.
Next steps
The Division of Oil and Public Safety did not release a timeline for completing its review. Depending on its findings, the agency could require modifications, additional inspections, staff retraining or, if warranted, longer-term closure until safety issues are resolved. Any criminal or civil liability would be addressed separately through prosecutors or the civil court system, respectively.
WE NEWS will monitor the state investigation and provide updates as regulators release findings or as the resort and manufacturer offer further information.
