With new safety measures in place, the Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas, is set to reopen two months after Rosa Esparza plunged to her death on the ride on July 19, CNN reported. Some of the new measures include "redesigned restraint bar pads, new seat belts and a coaster seat at the ride's entrance for visitors to test their fit before they get it line," CNN also reported.
The ride was immediately shut down.
Texas state officials have approved the reopening of the ride, the statement said, adding that it had undergone extensive testing.
Esparza's family filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit on Tuesday, accusing the amusement park of negligence. "As Rosa Esparza's tragic death starkly illustrates, errors on the part of the Six Flags Defendants turned a thrilling illusion into a nightmarish reality," the lawsuit says. "Customers of the park expect mock scares and delighted screams as they ride the Texas Giant roller-coaster, but they certainly do not expect to be placed in any real danger, whatsoever."
Esparza died when she was thrown against the ride and then catapulted on the metal roof of a tunnel below, and died from the traumatic injuries she sustained, CNN reported.
Sandra Daniels, the Six Flags spokesman, said that while she expresses great sympathies with the Esparaza's family for their loss, " there are a number of inaccuracies contained in the recent lawsuit and [the amusement park] intends to defend [themselves].
The lawsuit names Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Six Flags Theme Parks Inc., Texas Flags, Ltd. and Six Flags Over Texas as defendants. The family is seeking more than $1 million in monetary relief.
"We are heartbroken and will forever feel the pain and sadness of this tragic accident," added a remorseful Steve Martindale, president of Six Flags Over Texas. "The safety of our guests and employees is our company's absolute highest priority and we try to take every reasonable precaution to eliminate the risk of accidents."
