A catastrophic failure of safety protocols led to the death of a young girl at a Colorado theme park. The family has now received one of the largest wrongful death settlements in state history.

According to Fox News, a jury in Garfield County District Court ordered Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and others to pay $205 million to the family of Wongel Estifanos, who fell to her death from the Haunted Mine Drop ride in 2021. The verdict, delivered Friday, represents one of the largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in Colorado's history.

The 6-year-old from Colorado Springs was visiting the theme park with her family over Labor Day weekend when the tragedy occurred. Investigation documents revealed she was never properly secured in her seat before the ride began its 110-foot plunge.

Catastrophic Safety Failures Led To Fatal Fall

The investigation uncovered that Estifanos was seated on top of seat belts that remained buckled from a previous rider. Despite a warning alarm that signaled the restraint issue, an operator overrode the system and initiated the ride anyway.

The Haunted Mine Drop, which has since been permanently closed, was marketed as the first drop ride of its kind to plunge riders underground. Passengers would sit together on a bench-like seat in a dimly lit chamber before dropping 110 feet into darkness.

The family's 2022 lawsuit alleged not only operator negligence but also claimed Glenwood Caverns had ignored repeated customer complaints about unsafe practices. Investigators concluded that multiple staff errors contributed to the fatal incident, including failure to prepare seat belts properly before boarding.

Theme Park And Manufacturer Share Blame

Kimberly Marcum, marketing director for Glenwood Caverns, shifted some responsibility to 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 representative also stated the manufacturer had certified the attraction as safe despite the alleged defects. Glenwood Caverns expressed condolences to the Estifanos family while indicating they were "exploring all options" to continue operations.

Prosecutors previously declined to pursue criminal charges against the theme park, citing difficulties in proving manslaughter. However, the civil trial provided the family an opportunity to seek justice for their daughter's preventable death.

Justice After Four Years Of Denial

"For four long years, Glenwood Caverns has denied fault for the death of Wongel, who was dropped ten stories to her death from a ride," said the family's representative. The parents pursued the case not only to establish what truly happened but also to prevent similar tragedies.

The Haunted Mine Drop was designed to simulate a ghostly presence sending riders plummeting downward in total darkness. The freefall would end with glowing lanterns illuminating mine walls before returning passengers to the loading platform.

Following the incident, the ride was permanently closed and dismantled. The family expressed gratitude to the people of Garfield County for their kindness throughout the lengthy trial process.

Why this story matters

This case brings national attention to the importance of strict safety protocols in amusement rides, especially those involving children. It highlights how operational shortcuts and neglect can lead to irreversible loss, and how families seeking justice can play a pivotal role in bringing change. The verdict sets a precedent that companies will be held financially accountable when their systems, actions, or inactions cost lives.

Conclusion

Wongel Estifanos, just 6 years old, tragically died in 2021 after falling from an improperly secured seat on the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado. This week, a jury in Garfield County awarded her family $205 million in a civil verdict, placing blame on multiple failures—from operator error to alleged product defects.

Though criminal charges were never filed, the civil case has brought national attention to amusement park safety and corporate accountability in wrongful death incidents involving children.