A Missouri couple is being praised for their quick action after saving two girls whose lap bar came loose mid-ride on the Mamba roller coaster at the Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. The coaster, known for its 205-foot drop and speeds up to 72 mph, turned into a terrifying experience when the safety restraint failed on October 11.
According to ABC 7, Chris Evins and his wife were seated near the two girls when they noticed something was wrong. “And there was this big of a gap between her and the lap bar,” Evins explained. Realizing the lap bar was completely undone, the couple immediately grabbed hold of the girls and held them down throughout the ride. Evins said the girls were crying and terrified as the coaster sped through its loops and drops.
His wife, Cassie Evins, recalled the horrifying moment: “72 miles an hour, holding onto somebody. It’s terrifying.”
Another Guest Reports Safety Issue a Day Later
The day after the Evinses’ incident, another park guest reported a similar safety malfunction involving the Mamba coaster’s seatbelt. The woman claimed her son’s seatbelt didn’t lock when the ride began its first climb. Park employees stopped the ride after noticing the twisted and loose seatbelt, then adjusted it manually before resuming.
These reports have raised serious safety concerns about the park’s maintenance practices and the reliability of the ride’s restraint systems.
Couple Demands Safety Changes at Worlds of Fun
Following the incident, Cassie Evins said she and her family no longer feel comfortable returning to Worlds of Fun until visible safety improvements are made. “We need to see the change, and once we see that change, I will be comfortable taking my four children, whom I am not comfortable taking currently,” Cassie said.
The couple said the experience was traumatizing for both them and the young girls they helped, noting that it could have ended much worse without quick intervention.
They hope the park will take accountability and enforce stronger safety protocols before reopening the ride.
Ride Taken Out of Service After Safety Inspection
In response to the incident, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety conducted an inspection of the Mamba roller coaster and discovered that some restraint devices were “not functioning properly.”
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The ride was immediately taken out of service, and park officials confirmed that repairs are underway. The amusement park expects the Mamba to reopen Thursday or Friday once the safety issues are resolved.
A spokesperson for Worlds of Fun has not released an official statement beyond confirming the temporary shutdown and the inspection’s findings.
