This is one of the more interesting horrifying Wikipedia discoveries I’ve made of late:
The Euthanasia Coaster is a real concept (pictured above) for a steel roller coaster designed to kill its passengers with “elegance and euphoria.” Here’s the very sciencey explanation for how it works:
The Euthanasia Coaster would kill its passengers through prolonged cerebral hypoxia, or insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. The ride’s seven inversions would inflict 10 g on its passengers for 60 seconds – causing g-force related symptoms starting with gray out through tunnel vision to black out and eventually g-LOC (g-force induced loss of consciousness). Depending on the tolerance of an individual passenger to g-forces, the first or second inversion would cause cerebral anoxia, rendering the passengers brain dead. Subsequent inversions would serve as insurance against unintentional survival of particularly robust passengers.
I’ve bolded that last bit so you can fully appreciate the implications. I bet I would be one of those “robust passengers.” The most “extreme” roller coaster I’ve ever ridden was the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, which is frequently cited on lists like this as being one of America’s most intense roller coasters. It’s 400 feet tall and has a max speed of 120 miles per hour. And you know what? It’s kinda weak.
“One minute we’re laughing…
the next minute he’s dead!”
Just for fun–because it’s summertime and I’ve been on a theme park kick lately–here’s a round-up of some of my other favorite roller coasters that were designed to kill you.
The Devastator
A roller coaster with 15-story drops, 90 degree turns, and TWO WHOLE MINUTES UNDERWATER. A brilliant clip from Mr. Show, one of the best sketch comedy shows ever.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Oi57fqdU0
Mr. Bonestripper
Nothing But Trouble is a movie that would have been more appropriately titled Nothing But Awesome, because it had crazy-ass stuff like this:
(the bonestripping goodness starts at 1:18)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enUo-1TjdEs
Fiery Fist O’ Pain
A sign next to the Fiery Fist O’ Pan, a roller coaster in SpongeBob Squarepants, warns that the ride may cause “Crying, Screaming, Projectile vomiting, Amnesia, Spine Loss, Embarrassing Accidents, Uncontrollable Gas, and Explosive Diarrhea.”
[flowplayer src=’shezcrafti.com/video/fistodeath.flv’ width=450 height=350]
