Expoland

Expoland

Senyo VistaLiner of Expoland
Location Suita, Japan
Opened 1970 (1970)
Closed 12 September 2007 (2007-09-12)

Expoland, located in Suita, Japan. It was opened as the amusement zone at the International Exposition in 1970 (Expo '70) in Osaka and thrived for over 30 years as an amusement park. There were more than 40 rides and attractions, 19 restaurants and shops.

On May 5, 2007, a 19-year-old university student from Higashiomi, Shiga was killed and nineteen other guests were injured when the Fujin Raijin II derailed at Expoland. Initial reports said that forty people were injured, with thirty-one being taken to hospital.[1] An investigation revealed that the ride derailed due to a broken axle. None of the ride vehicle's axles had been replaced for fifteen years.[2] Following this accident, similar coasters at other Japanese parks were voluntarily shut down and inspected to see if they could also have the same axle flaw.[3] Expoland was cited by authorities for faulty maintenance when similar axle cracks were found on a second train a month later.[4]

The park reopened after the accident but closed again on December 9, 2007, citing a lack of customers. On February 9, 2009, its owners finally decided that the park was closed down for good.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Female passenger dies after seats fall off roller coaster". Mainichi Interactive/MSN. 2007-05-05. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  2. ↑ "Amusement park failed to replace axles of roller coaster in fatal crash for 15 years". Mainichi Interactive/MSN. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  3. ↑ "Kumamoto amusement park shuts down roller coaster after deadly Osaka accident". Mainichi Interactive/MSN. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  4. ↑ "Cracked axle found on roller coaster". Kazinform. 2007-06-25. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  5. ↑ "Expoland theme park gives up on revival, shuts doors for good after fatal accident". Mainichi Shimbun. 2009-02-10. Archived from the original on 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2009-02-10.

External links

Coordinates: 34°48′20″N 135°32′06″E / 34.80556°N 135.53500°E / 34.80556; 135.53500

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