Cedar Point closing Top Thrill Dragster ride after it caused a severe injury in 2021
AKRON, Ohio — It was once the tallest roller coaster in the world.
And some 19 years and a troubled past later, Cedar Point is retiring the famed Top Thrill Dragster.
The ride that dominates the Sandusky, Ohio, park's skyline has sat idle since a tragic mishap last August severely injured a park guest after a piece of the ride about the size of "a man's hand," became dislodged and struck a woman standing in line in the head.
Before the mishap, some 18 million guests rode the ride that sent people some 420 feet in the air at a speed of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds.
From 2021: Woman at Cedar Point struck in the head by falling roller coaster piece
But the ride was plagued by frequent breakdowns and long lines over the years.
In its announcement online Tuesday, Cedar Point says the ride "as you know it is being retired."
The park says an announcement will be made later detailing a new and "reimagined" ride experience.
Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.
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