Back Fractures on Passenger Bobsleigh Experience Caused by Seat Ergonomics and Acceleration Force

Location: Whistler

Regulated industry sector: Amusement Rides and Devices - Amusement ride

Incident overview

The Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) operates a passenger bobsleigh experience ride for the public near Whistler, BC. Following two back injuries in November 2023 and February 2024, Technical Safety BC launched an in-depth investigation into the cause of the incidents.

This investigation, supported by an independent biomechanical analysis, found that the ride’s normal forces from acceleration, coupled with the ergonomics of the 4th seat in the bobsleigh, made patrons vulnerable to injury. These factors led to stress on their vertebrae that resulted in a fracture.

Since 2012, there have been seven confirmed back fractures sustained by patrons. The prevention measures taken by the WSC following these incidents were primarily focused on amending the pre-ride warnings to include the risk associated with pre-existing medical conditions. The investigation into the injuries that occurred in 2023 and 2024 found it is unlikely that pre-existing conditions contributed to the likelihood of the fractures occurring.