- Source: Death of Gabriela Yukari Nichimura
On 24 February 2012, 14-year-old Gabriela Yukari Nichimura died after falling from the La Tour Eiffel drop tower at the Hopi Hari amusement park in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Incident
Nichimura's chair lock opened at about 66 feet (20 meters) in the air. The chair had been unused for 10 years, due to the seat's location where a person could bump into the metal frame of the drop tower, and the absence of a seat belt.
La Tour Eiffel
The drop tower initially opened, along with the park itself, on 30 November 1999. The tower allows participants enter into free fall from a height of 69.5 meters, or 228 feet (the equivalent of a 23-story building) at a speed of approximately 94 km/h (58.41 mph).
Aftermath and investigation
The park closed hours after the accident. A full review of all rides began on 2 March of that year. Upon completion of the review and the signing of a Conduct Adjustment Term (CAT), the park was reopened on 25 March 2012, but the tower remained closed.
At the time, Nichimura's family planned to sue the park for material and emotional damage, and asked for R$ 4 million in compensation from Hopi Hari and R$ 1 million from Vinhedo City Hall.
On 9 May 2012, the Public Prosecution Service indicted 12 people for the accident, including then-president of the park Armando Pereira Filho. The park attempted to reach a deal with the family.
In 2017, three employees were convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to two years and eight months of community service and the payment of a minimum wage for a social entity. Another five employees were acquitted. The family and the park came to an undisclosed agreement.
On 18 May 2017, the Supreme Federal Court discontinued a lawsuit against former park President Armando Pereira Filho. The family received therapy in the aftermath of the incident.
Reopening
After changes in the drop tower, it was estimated to be back in August 2019, but in June 2019 the management decided against its reopening, due to the need for US$480,000 to recover the equipment and the realization of marketing.
References
Notes
1.^ Hours in UTC-2 (Daylight saving time).
