South Carolina Man Left Paralyzed in Tragic Incident at Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Freak Accident on Swamp Fox Ride Brings Devastating Consequences for Family
An ordinary day out turned into a lifelong nightmare for one South Carolina man. On July 23, 2021, Kul Sannyashi of North Carolina and his wife Gangia Adhikari paid a visit to Family Kingdom amusement park in Myrtle Beach. However, a horrific accident on the Swamp Fox roller coaster left Sannyashi paralyzed, changing their lives forever.
A Tragic Turn on the Swamp Fox Ride
Details surrounding the incident reveal that while riding the Swamp Fox, a historic wooden roller coaster, Sannyashi endured an acute injury to his spinal cord. This injury resulted in quadriplegia, leaving him paralyzed in all four limbs.
Fast-forward to June 20 of the present year, Sannyashi and Adhikari initiated two separate lawsuits against Family Kingdom and its parent company, Ocean Avenue Attractions LLC. Both suits assert that the park’s negligence, recklessness, and utter disregard for safety led to the heartbreaking accident.
Repeating History: The Swamp Fox’s Notorious Reputation
The Swamp Fox isn’t new to controversy. This 72ft high, 2,400 feet long ride has had multiple reports over the years pertaining to its ‘violent roughness’. Morgan Martin, representing the plaintiffs, voiced his concern stating, “He got on the ride fine and then got off as a quadriplegic. It’s an extremely sad day for this young man, who is now in a horrible condition.”
The Aftermath: A Future Forever Altered by Injury
Following the incident, Sannyashi had to undergo multiple surgeries and expensive medical treatments. Today, he requires round-the-clock nursing and assistance. Apart from living with severe pain, Sannyashi is also combating mental anguish and depression due to his permanent injuries.
Both lawsuits seek compensation for Sannyashi’s incapacitation and his inability to partake in “regular affairs and duties.” Furthermore, the lawsuit addresses the loss of his earning capacity, significantly contributing to the family’s strain.
History of Safety Concerns
This isn’t the first time the Swamp Fox ride has been at the center of a legal battle. In 2019, a woman from Horry County sued the park. She claimed the ride was exceptionally rough and lacked adequate safety warnings. Despite previous back issues, she stated that she had ridden several other roller coasters without any problems. Although her experience did not result in injuries as severe as Sannyashi’s, her lawsuit brought attention to the ride’s safety concerns.
This recent, life-altering event underscores the critical importance of ride safety at amusement parks. It serves as a stark reminder that even a day of fun can turn tragic if safety precautions and park responsibilities are disregarded.
A Plea for Safety
Our thoughts are with Kul Sannyashi and his family during this difficult time. The repercussions of this accident reverberate far beyond an individual or family affected – it’s a wake-up call for amusement parks to prioritize safety and prevent such life-altering incidents in the future.
