Earlier this month, Chris and Cassie Evins were riding the Mamba roller coaster at Worlds of Fun when they suddenly heard a terrifying scream from behind them.
They quickly realized something was seriously wrong – a young girl’s seat belt had come undone during the coaster’s first big drop.
At first, Chris said they thought the scream was just from the usual thrill of the ride. But when the girl shouted that her seat belt had come loose, they immediately jumped into action.
Chris reached over and slipped his arm under her lap bar, gripping her wrist tightly, while Cassie pushed down on the girl’s legs to keep her secure.
As longtime season pass holders, the couple knew the roller coaster’s twists, turns, and steep hills well.
They quickly realized that the biggest danger would come as the train climbed or crested each hill, when the girl could be thrown from her seat.
To keep her safe, they adjusted their positions, pressing down on her body throughout the ride instead of just holding on to her.
Thanks to their quick thinking and teamwork, the girl stayed safely in her seat until the coaster came to a stop.
Management assured them that the roller coaster would be shut down for the rest of the evening so inspectors could take a closer look at the issue.
On Thursday, a park spokesperson confirmed that the ride was shut down immediately after the incident. It was only reopened once a team of technicians had completed a full inspection and cleared it for operation.
The park noted that the Mamba roller coaster uses a multi-layered restraint system and has continued to run smoothly since the event.
Following the incident, Chris said his first thought was how differently things might have turned out if someone else had been sitting in their seats – someone who might not have noticed what was happening in time.
The Evins said they lost track of the girl once the ride ended and didn’t get the chance to speak with her, but they’re hoping to connect with her family.
Last Inspected In April
According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Mamba roller coaster was last inspected on April 25, 2025.
A few weeks before that, a “spot inspection” had been carried out, which led to the ride being temporarily shut down.
The department said repairs were completed the same afternoon, followed by another inspection that cleared the coaster to reopen.
