Colorado jury awards family $205M after 6-year-old falls to death from theme park ride

A Colorado jury has ordered a local theme park and others to pay $205 million to the family of a 6-year-old girl who fell more than 100 feet to her death from a ride.

The verdict, issued Friday at Garfield County District Court, is among the largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in state history.

Wongel Estifanos, from Colorado Springs, was visiting Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with her family over Labor Day weekend in 2021 when tragedy struck on the Haunted Mine Drop.

Investigation paperwork reviewed by Fox News Digital shows Estifanos was not buckled into her seat properly before the ride started.

Glenwood Caverns marketing director Kimberly Marcum said in a statement that co-defendant Soaring Eagle Inc. had “manufactured the Haunted Mine Drop with a defective restraint system that caused this heartbreaking accident.”

Marcum also indicated the manufacturer had certified the attraction as safe despite a defective restraint system. 

“Our hearts go out to the family of Wongel Estifanos,” Marcum said, while stating Glenwood Caverns was “exploring all options so that we can attempt to continue to operate, serve our guests, and continue to give back to the community.”

Prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges against Glenwood Caverns, citing challenges in proving manslaughter, but the civil trial gave Estifanos’ family its day in court.

“They are grateful to the people of Garfield County for being so kind to them during this long trial,” added Caplis in his statement.

Fox News Digital also contacted Soaring Eagle Inc for comment, but did not hear back.