11-Year-Old boy Dies After Rafting Accident At Iowa Theme Park

A day of family fun at an Iowa theme park turned tragic over the weekend when a river raft overturned on a water ride, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring three others. NBC’s Miguel Almaguer reports for TODAY.

About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.

Connect with TODAY Online!

#Waterpark #Travel #Summer

[lisadondlinger]

I went on this ride so many times as a kid. I cannot believe someone died on it. My heart goes out the family.

[DevinAnthologie]

What's sad is knowing no matter how many safety measures they implement freak accidents can still happen. I mean the other ladies husband died as a result of that ride but in a completely different way. And to top it off they just had everything checked. It's kinda like someone getting a clean bill of health and boom, they have a massive heart attack. I hope they resolve this issue.

[anniebananie]

Maybe I'm naive, but I really thought those boats couldn't flip over.

[bellaapple]

I was in highschool when I went to Hershey park. it was a family on the raft and their raft flipped over. The people were strapped in and it flipped upsidedown. They couldn't get out and we could see them trying their best to get out. They were all rushed to the hospital and in critical condition. I am now in my mid thirties and this same ride is still killing people the same way.

[tg]

To be completely honest, I’ve been going to this park since I was a boy, I’m now 50- the rides in this park are OLD!!! I’ve ridden the raging river numerous times since 1983 when I was 12. I do not see how a raft could flip. They’re huge and the water isn’t deep. Something was not right from the beginning with this raft. Also, the seat belts have always been wonky- not really easy to buckle or unbuckle. The park is basically using rides that have been there since the park’s inception in the 1970’s. The tornado wood roller coaster is over 4 decades old and you feel it shake when you ride it. The park and it’s rides are dangerous.

[candysmith]

The water ride like this when Astroworld was open sat 10 people and the rafts were alot wider than the one shown in Iowa. I wonder if the smaller rafts are the issue cause a higher center of gravity, easier to flip over.

[prakesh]

This is incrdibly sad. Losing your life to something meant to be fun is one of the worst ways, but these things happen. The ride itself isn't inherently dangerous, but it was likely due to some human error either from the riders doing something unsafe, or the employees doing something wrong.

[aristotlekumpis]

Dang. Poor little guy drowned. Such a heartbreaking way for your kid to die.

[abbxen]

first the queensland one, now this.. i don’t think i’m ever going on a circular river ride again

[deathandbananas]

Why does this feel like the dreamworld river raft accident all over again

[Timbergal]

The ride operators didn’t balance the people

[akio]

Hello, i have been to that park 2 times already, i live very close to where this accident had happened, they had barley open the Raging River ride last week ( June 1). I am very sad that this had happened, and I hope that it won’t happen again to any adult or kid on any ride again. Much Prayers 🙏❤️

[davidsmith]

There's always a risk of getting injured or killed on any of theme park rides, it would be impossible to say there isn't, So sad a little boy died trying go have fun prayers for the family and friends and all involved 🙏

[Peggy_Neale]

I’m wondering if the family wasn’t balanced on the raft correctly. If the boys were on one side and the parents were on the other, that’s definitely going to be off balance.

[josephgutierrez]

There's only two moments in my life so far I almost died, both were on rafts in Rapids...

[rhannaWndsor]

Similar ride in water world QLD Australia killed a family same thing it flipped and family were buckled in and couldn’t get out so either drowned or were crushed to death!!

[stargazr]

I live in Iowa.. This is sad.. Prayers & Strength to the family...

[overcome]

Been to Adventureland so many times this really breaks my heart for the family 👪

[mariajaramillo]

For those who prayed 🙏 for my family I thank you 💗💗. We're still in the process of healing and praying for his older brothers recovery as well for his parents my older nephew n his wife.. What was supposed to be a family fun event of lasting memories turn into a horrible nightmare. Michael will be terribly missed a young vibrant boy who love life ❤️ .
For those NEGATIVE Karen's and Kevin's sometimes your opinions should be kept to yourself. 🤬.

Until then y'all stay blessed and have a good day and tell your family that you love them everyday 😭

[JamesCAsphalt]

These rides have a height requirement. They need to have a weight requirement as well. These were overweight people all of whom got in the same raft. The raft is not meant to be overloaded with weight. Shame on the amusement park for not controlling it.