Fatal accident at Japan theme park Fuji-Q Highland
A maintenance worker has died while making a routine inspection of the Eejanaika roller coaster at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
According to Fujiyoshida Police Department, the 29-year-old male employee, Iori Kamura, was inspecting the roller coaster at around noon on 28th February when a ride vehicle unexpectedly moved, rolling over Iori Kamura’s abdomen and trapping Kamura between the wheels and the track.
The park's management company said the roller coaster was out of service all day for regular inspection. The park operator said a total of 11 mechanics, including the deceased employee, had been working on the ride since around 9 a.m.
Fuji-Q Highland is one of Japan’s most intense theme parks with Eejanaika being the park’s famous fourth dimension roller coaster known for its 360-degree rotating seats and intense twists.
Emergency responders rushed Iori Kamura to the hospital, but he was already unconscious upon arrival and later died.
The theme park’s manual states that inspections are to be performed with the main power to the operating device turned off, and that the vehicle is designed to stop using brakes attached to the rails, but it is not yet known whether the main power was on or the brakes were working properly at the time of the accident.
Police are now investigating whether proper safety protocols were followed during the inspection.
While the park has yet to confirm whether the ride will reopen in the future, its management issued a statement expressing condolences advising “we are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”
The Eejanaika ride, considered to be one of the most extreme coaster rides in the world, has a history of malfunctions and safety concerns.
In 2007, another maintenance worker was injured when a ride vehicle suddenly moved, crushing him against a rail and breaking his chest bone. Then, in 2012, a bolt snapped off mid-ride, striking a guest below and causing injuries. That incident led to months-long closures, during which new safety protocols were introduced, including:
- Closing off the walkway where the incident happened
- Banning riders from wearing shoes on the coaster
- Prohibiting onboard audio and video equipment
The goal was to reduce future risks, but this latest tragedy raises additional concerns about the ride’s safety.
While the park has yet to confirm whether the Eejanaika ride will reopen in the future, its management issued a statement expressing condolences “we are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”
Fuji-Q Highland also retired its Do-Dodonpa rollercoaster in March 2024 following a number of guest injuries.
Do-Dodonpa was a popular attraction that claimed to be the “world’s fastest accelerating” rollercoaster. Since its opening in December 2001, it had been enjoyed by 9.3 million people. However, the ride has been out of service since August 2021 due to Fuji-Q Highland Co. having received multiple injury reports from riders between 2020 and 2021. Six of these cases involved serious injuries, including cervical spine compression fractures. The rapid acceleration is believed to be the primary cause of the injuries, the sudden strain on the body mimicking whiplash experienced in car accidents.
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