A Colorado jury has mandated a local theme park and others to pay $205 million to the family of a 6-year-old girl who tragically fell over 100 feet to her death from a ride.
The verdict, issued Friday at Garfield County District Court, is among the largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in state history.
Wongel Estifanos, hailing from Colorado Springs, was at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with her family during Labor Day weekend in 2021 when the accident occurred on the Haunted Mine Drop.
Investigation paperwork reviewed by Fox News Digital shows Estifanos was not buckled into her seat properly before the ride started.
Wongel Estifanos dropped 10 stories to her death from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. (Rahel Estifanos and Estifanos Dagne)
Kimberly Marcum, Glenwood Caverns marketing director, stated that co-defendant Soaring Eagle Inc. had “produced the Haunted Mine Drop with a faulty restraint system, leading to this tragic incident.”
Marcum also indicated the manufacturer had certified the attraction as safe despite a defective restraint system.Â
“Our sympathies are with the Estifanos family,” Marcum expressed, noting that Glenwood Caverns is “considering all possibilities to continue operations, serve our guests, and contribute to the community.”
Prosecutors opted not to file criminal charges against Glenwood Caverns, due to difficulties in proving manslaughter, though the civil trial allowed Estifanos’ family their opportunity to be heard in court.
“They are grateful to the people of Garfield County for being so kind to them during this long trial,” added Caplis in his statement.
Fox News Digital also contacted Soaring Eagle Inc for comment, but did not hear back.
