U.S.

Roller Coaster Collision Injures 22

August 6, 2001 / 8:53 PM EDT / AP

Two cars on a roller coaster at the Six Flags New England park collided Monday afternoon, sending 22 people to hospitals with minor injuries.

One train of cars was leaving the platform when a second slammed it from behind. Park officials and emergency workers said the injuries did not appear to be serious.

"It was like the car that slammed into us never even slowed down," said Mattie Nichols, one of the injured. "My neck hurts, but it could have been worse."

The park remained open Monday afternoon, but the ride was closed. Superman Ride of Steel, one of the park's seven roller coasters, had opened in May 2000. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Ariel Rosenthal, who was in line for the ride when the accident happened, said the crash "sounded like a big balloon popping."

"There was some smoke and I saw blood on someone's face," he said.

Dean O'Keefe, a spokesman for the amusement park, said emergency personnel were at the scene within five minutes. O'Keefe said ride engineers from Six Flags and the company that made the roller coaster were on the scene Monday investigating the accident.

The 5,400-foot coaster reaches a maximum height of 208 feet and top speed of 80 mph, according to the Six Flags Web site.