Well when you get a season pass and your there alot, you tend to see things you wouldn't normally see. The odds of you witnessing or becoming apart of "an incident" definitely increase.
Injury Accidents at Kings Dominion
For the guy who said "Im going to stay away from you at a theme park."
Consider this. It was a few years back that someone hit the pedal on the shockwave releasing the restraints. The person jumped off at the turn located at the top to commit suicide.
In the 70's, the Eiffel Tower only used to have a small fence surrounding the observation deck. After several jumpers, a cage with bars were installed at the top to prevent suicides.
Prior to the installation of metal detectors, I observed a stabbing at the park, and several Virginia state troopers and armed parked security at Kings Dominion attempting to track down a man armed with a machete. There was a report of a rape once there inside the outer limits (when it was still completely dark inside the hanger). Shortly thereafter, a staff member was put inside the hanger portion of the building to supervise park guests. I personally observed a fight where some guy got the hell beat out of him. Furthermore, I would consider "security" at that or any park a joke, as I have seen bags/objects passed over/under the fence that borders the park to patrons inside the park who've been "searched." This is the reason they have armed security staff and police patrolling the inside of that park.
"The Grizzly" roller coaster used to have metal seat backings, no pads. This made for a very rough ride where you literally banged your head against the metal seat.
"The Outer Limits" coaster even changed since it opened you'll notice. The launch speed was slowed from 65-64 mph to 56 mph. Lighting was added to the inside of the building. The restraints were changed to prevent neck injuries.
Sky Pilot - Theme Park Review
Who could forget the "Sky Pilot." Another instance where restraint failure combined with inversion at elevation results in death. Thats almost a guarantee if your not held in by centrifugal force.
You can easily surf the internet and find an assortment of incidents where someone was seriously injured, killed, maimed, etc at a theme park. Some causes would be attributed to ride design, mechanical failures, medical incident (heart attack, stroke), suicide or attempted suicide, reckless behavior (standing up on coasters, throwing objects while ride is in motion, not keeping hands/feet inside car at all times, failing to follow rules/instructions) of the park.
These are just simply incidents at Kings Dominion. Not all of them can be found on the internet anymore as powerful corporate attorneys and witnesses/victims being silenced through payments etc. I have a ton of stories from individuals injured from driving head on in bumper cars, to park guests being trapped on the Hypersonic XLC for 2+ hours and stuck halfway up the hill.
If you think Kings Dominion is bad, you should consider Six Flags PG County, aka "Ghetto flags." The last time I was there, several young african american males were involved in a brutal fistfight in the line. Its a step below "kings dominion" and I've seen patrons at "ghetto flags" spit on other patrons while riding a coaster, throw objects from the rides onto park guests, many many fist fights, and even observed police responding to cars that had been broken into while parked in the parking lot. While visiting, I didn't bother going into the water park, as I already got the feeling of unwelcomness as it was. I quit going to "ghetto flags" ever since they shut down "country music day" as that was the last hope for that place. The park would further get a low review from myself as it often closes early in the evening (probably to prevent crime), there is a height restriction on rides (which was recently removed by PG County Council to allow the building of better/taller coasters), and a generally unsafe environment that only caters to a certain type of individual. Its certainly not a family environment. I laugh when I watch coaster shows on TV and see Six Flags PG on there, as they often close the park to film there. Its clear they don't want to give the public a real feel for what really goes on at that place.
All in all, most permanent theme parks are safe. There is alot of regulation's and inspections put into place by not only the parks but the states as well. Whats more concerning than theme parks for injuries, IMHO is carnivals. They often travel, set up quick, and cut corners to make a quick buck.
