One of the deadliest roller coaster accidents in U.S. history happened in 1930 when a brake mechanism failed and jammed the coaster's wheel. The train derailed and fell 35 feet. The accident killed four riders and injured 19 more.

How likely is it for a roller coaster to derail?

The likelihood of dying on a roller coaster is pretty low, with odds at roughly one in 750 million, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

What causes roller coasters to derail?

Gravity, of course! When a roller coaster crests the first big hill, gravity takes over, causing the roller coaster to fall down at a constant rate of 9.8 meters per second squared. ... These other forces eventually bring the roller coaster to a stop, albeit with some help from air brakes at the very end of the ride.