A 60-year-old Texas woman was seriously injured after allegedly being thrown from a roller-coaster cart at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado and dragged along the track while still attached to her seat belt. The incident has prompted a state investigation and the closure of the ride, raising questions about its safety systems and operator procedures.

Nicki Parker reportedly suffered a broken rib, collapsed lung, traumatic brain injury and a dislocated shoulder requiring surgery; her lawyer said she was dragged for 20 to 30 seconds and remains in hospital. Colorado authorities said the Rocky Mountain Coaster was closed after the 17 August 2026 incident, instructed its manufacturer to issue a safety bulletin, and also closed a similar ride at Purgatory Resort pending the investigation.