Mt. Fuji's DANGEROUS Theme Park Ride Shut Down | @AbroadinJapan #61

TL;DR

Fuji Q Highland Park in Japan has closed down its high-speed roller coaster, Duna, after multiple riders suffered neck and spine compression fractures caused by the intense G-forces experienced at the ride's beginning.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 🎢 Duna, the high-speed roller coaster at Fuji Q Highland Park, has been permanently closed after multiple incidents of riders suffering neck and spine compression fractures.
• 💇 The compressed air launch system used to accelerate the coaster cars to 180 km/h in just two seconds caused intense G-forces that were deemed too dangerous for riders.
• 😚 Fuji Q spent two and a half years trying to find a safety solution for Duna but was unsuccessful, leading to the decision to close the ride.

Questions & Answers

Q: What made Duna's roller coaster unique?

Duna was known for its compressed air launch system, which accelerated the coaster cars to 180 km/h in just two seconds, providing an exhilarating experience for riders.

Q: Why did Fuji Q decide to shut down Duna?

After multiple incidents of riders suffering neck and spine compression fractures, Fuji Q conducted an investigation and was unable to find a solution to ensure rider safety. Therefore, the park made the decision to permanently close the roller coaster.

Q: Were there any attempts to make Duna safer?

Fuji Q spent two and a half years investigating safety solutions for the roller coaster, but none were successful. The intense G-forces experienced at the beginning of the ride proved to be too dangerous for riders.

Q: Did Duna's closure affect other roller coasters at Fuji Q Highland Park?

No, other roller coasters at Fuji Q Highland Park are still operational. Duna was the only ride that had to be permanently shut down due to safety concerns.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Fuji Q Highland Park's roller coaster, Duna, was known for its quick acceleration to a speed of 180 km/h in just two seconds, which caused significant G-forces on riders.

• Between December 2020 and August 2021, at least five visitors suffered neck or spine compression fractures due to the extreme forces at the start of the ride.

• After two and a half years of investigation and failed attempts to find a safety solution, Fuji Q decided to permanently shut down Duna.