Six guests and one worker were injured when a steam train at Silver Dollar City derailed on Wednesday evening. Initial reports of the train’s derailment were made around 7 p.m. by visitors on social media claiming to be on the train when sections derailed
Stone County Office of Emergency Management Director Tom Martin told Ozarks First that the train was almost full of guests.
Television station KOLR10 reported that one of the guests in the second last carriage of the train said it was completely on its side. Guests smashed the windows to get out, she said.
“Silver Dollar City confirms that earlier this evening, sections of the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train derailed from the track,” a message on the company’s Facebook page read. “Onsite paramedics provided emergency care until first responders arrived. At this time, we are wholeheartedly focused on providing support for guests and team members in partnership with Stone County first responders.”
The injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, according to Tom Martin, director of the Stone County Office of Emergency Management.
A video of the train obtained by NBC News showed multiple cars toppled over. Adam Swenka, a passenger on the train, also filmed a video of the aftermath, which he later shared on Facebook.
“Pretty wild,” he wrote. “Our family took the train to have a relaxing ride around SDC and about 25 percent into the ride (literally right after the conductor made a `bad brakes’ joke). the train came off the track. Not just off the tracks, but two train cars actually slammed on their side and the passengers couldn’t get out unless they scaled around 10 feet to the top of the car. One of the cars had some injured, so they had to bust out the glass to get them out.”
The train, which has been at the park since 1962, offers a 20-minute-long ride through the Ozark countryside surrounding the park, according to its website: “Greet fellow guests as you pass through the train crossing near the Frisco Freight Barn and over the train trestle near the Silver Dollar Saloon Watch out! Train robbers briefly interrupt your ride in a humorous stick-up attempt, so hold on to your hat and your wallet!”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
