Girl Falls From Zipline At Camelback Mountain

In May, an eight-year-old girl fell almost 30 feet from a zipline at Camelback Mountain Adventures in the Poconos. She received severe injuries that caused her to be airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. This is the second dangerous incident at Camelback this year. In March, a man and two children fell 15 feet from a ski lift when the chairlift broke loose from its line.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a zipline accident, we are here to help. The Philadelphia zipline ride accident attorneys at Dan Doyle Law Group have the experience and determination to get you the compensation you deserve.

Zipping Through The Details

Camelback Mountain Adventures is a Poconos resort near Tannersville. During the winter months, it is a popular skiing destination. In the warmer months, Camelback touts various ziplines, a zip-flyer, a mountain roller coaster, treetop rope courses, and Segway tours.

The zipline incident is still under investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s rides and amusement division. A Camelback spokesperson confirmed they would work with state authorities on an operational review.

In the United States, ziplines are not federally regulated. The labor department administers the inspection and regulation of ziplines in most states, but in Pennsylvania, the Department of Agriculture oversees the operational standards of ziplines.

Presently, there are more than 400 commercial ziplines in the United States. Annually, these ziplines see more than 70 million rides. Because of the multiple dangers associated with these attractions, there are stringent requirements and standards concerning:

  • Proper design
  • Engineering
  • Construction
  • Operation
  • Management

Zipping Through The Statistics

Zipline accidents have no public database regarding injuries or fatalities, but the American Journal of Emergency Medicine combed through news reports and academic/medical studies to compile a 2015 study, illustrating the increased risk of ziplining.

According to the study, the number of zipline injuries far exceeds injuries occurring during other attractions like amusement park rides. In 2012, U. S. zipline accidents reached more than 3,600, and the numbers have only risen since. According to the most current data, more than 4,000 zipline riders get injured each year, about 11 a day.

The Ohio State University researchers who conducted the study found that approximately 12% of zipline injuries resulted in hospitalization, and the assortment of injuries sustained by zipliners included:

  • Broken bones (46%)
  • Bruises (15.2%)
  • Strains/sprains (15.1%)
  • Concussions or head injuries (7%)

Between 2006 and 2016, 16 Americans died while ziplining. Most of these deaths came from falls. The others can be contributed to:

  • Collisions
  • Entanglements
  • Mechanical failures

When Should I Contact A Lawyer?

Ziplines can be a great adventure for thrill-seekers. Often, the exhilaration of zipping above the treetops can make for wonderful memories. But sometimes, these rides end in disaster.

If ziplines are not properly designed, constructed, maintained, or operated a zipline ride can take a tragic turn. Riders can be exposed to preventable risks or injuries or worse.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Philadelphia zipline ride accident attorneys at Dan Doyle Law Group for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730.