The world's fastest roller coaster in Japan suspends operations after 4 reports of people breaking their backs or necks on the ride
- The Do-Dodonpa roller coaster in Japan has been suspended after four people reported broken bones from riding the amusement.
- The coaster has the world's fastest acceleration - reaching a top speed of 118 mph in just 1.56 seconds.
- Do-Dodonpa was built in 2001, but was modified to increase its top speed from 106 mph to 112 mph in 2017.
The world's fastest rollercoaster, the Do-Dodonpa in Fujiyoshida, Japan, was suspended earlier this month after four people reported broken bones from riding it, according to Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.
The coaster, which is one of the attractions at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park, is also responsible for another two people suffering bone fractures, according to Vice News.
Calling itself the fastest-accelerating rollercoaster in the world, the ride hits what it calls a "super death" speed of 112 mph after just 1.56 seconds, bringing riders on the world's largest loop, with a diameter of 130 feet, according to Fuji-Q's website.
The coaster was built in 2001, but according to Vice, it was modified to increase its top speed from 106 mph to 112 mph in 2017.
The theme park said Friday that it suspended the ride after reports of injuries, but added that "the causal relationship between injuries and amusement machines has not yet been confirmed."
The park had checked the ride with manufacturers after injuries were reported between May and June this year, reported The Mainichi, though nothing unusual was found. It was only after a man in his 30s reported broken bones after going on the coaster earlier this month that the park decided to suspend the ride.
There are speculations that the injuries may have been caused by improper sitting on the coaster. Another rider - a woman in her 30s who was injured on the ride in December - told the newspaper that she "might have been leaning forward during the ride" despite the coaster requiring riders to lean back in their seats.
Fuji-Q did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Injuries on roller coasters are uncommon. According to the Global Association of the Attractions Industry, or IAAPA, there is a one in 15.5 million chance of being seriously injured from a roller coaster ride in the US.