- Confidential settlement reached days before trial
- Victim trapped underwater for 10 minutes in 800kg raft
- 38-year safety record disputed in fatal accident
- Park ownership changed hands twice post-incident
The former operators of Adventureland park have resolved a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a 2021 drowning incident that claimed the life of 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo. Court documents reveal the family reached terms with the park's previous ownership group just hours before jury selection began, avoiding a potentially lengthy trial. While settlement figures remain undisclosed, legal experts suggest payouts in similar amusement park cases often exceed $10 million.
New details emerged about the Raging River tragedy showing six family members struck submerged surfaces when their raft capsized. Two children remained inverted underwater for nearly 10 minutes due to malfunctioning restraint systems. Maintenance records presented in discovery showed 17 unresolved repair tickets for the ride in the 12 months preceding the incident, contradicting operators' claims of regular safety inspections.
Theme park industry analysts note this case highlights systemic issues in small-to-mid-sized operators. A 2023 IAAPA report shows regional parks average 43% less maintenance spending per ride than major chains. Iowa’s ride inspection laws currently rank 38th nationally for stringency, requiring only annual mechanical reviews. Comparative data from Ohio’s Cedar Point shows parks with quarterly safety audits experience 72% fewer major incidents.
Legal filings reveal Adventureland’s defense team argued unprecedented water turbulence caused the raft flip, citing weather data showing 22mph winds that afternoon. However, plaintiffs demonstrated park managers overrode automated shutdown protocols to keep rides operational during peak holiday attendance. This pattern mirrors 2016 litigation against a Missouri water park where ignored sensor alerts led to a teen’s decapitation.
Ownership changes complicate accountability, with Spain-based Parques Reunidos acquiring Adventureland months after the drowning. The park’s March 2024 sale to Herschend Entertainment signals corporate attempts to distance from the tragedy. Industry observers note 83% of amusement properties change hands within five years of fatal accidents, per Bloomberg theme park transaction data.
