8-year-old Riverside girl injured on Six Flags Magic Mountain ride by flying cellphone, family says

By Leticia Juarez

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    RIVERSIDE, California (KABC) — A day of thrill rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain was in the plans for the Evans family of Riverside for the 4th of July weekend – until those plans took a turn for the worst.

“We are all looking forward to it. We got there early because we knew it was 4th of July weekend,” recalled Della White.

White said she and her 8-year-old daughter, Evie, boarded the Twisted Colossus to kick off the day of riding rollercoasters.

The plan was to end the day watching the fireworks, but seconds into the ride, it all changed.

“We were enjoying the ride, that is our favorite ride, and then she started screaming about her eye hurting, and I thought maybe something flew in her eye like a piece of dirt,” said White.

Evie had been hit by a flying cellphone the family said another rider had in his hand.

The force of the rollercoaster’s twists and turns set the phone free, smacking Evie in the forehead between her eyes.

“She hid her face for a minute and I said, ‘Let me see,’ but it was hard to do on the rollercoaster, and as soon as she moved her hand, she was just covered in blood,” said White.

When the ride finally came to an end, White said she called for help from the park’s employees, but that it was a fellow rider with baby wipes that helped until EMTs arrived to patch her daughter’s wound.

“I was surprised that anyone would have a cellphone in their hand on the ride,” said Josh Evans, Evie’s father.

Evans’ 13-year-old daughter, Eden, said the person responsible for her sister’s injury showed little remorse or concern following the incident.

“He was looking for his phone talking to the workers and then he came over, he saw my little cousin covering her face and was like, ‘Stop freaking out. It’s not a big deal,’ and then he left and walked away,” said Eden Evans.

As a result, Evie went to the hospital where she received at CT scan and 10 stitches to close the wound.

“I think it is similar to a hit-and-run with a vehicle,” said Josh Evans. “If you injure someone and leave the scene, it’s the same thing to me.”

Josh Evans said he went back to the park later in the day and asked for the incident report his wife had signed earlier, but was told it was only for internal use.

He also said the park’s security refused to turn over information about the man allegedly responsible.

In response to Eyewitness News’ inquiry about the incident, a spokesperson for Six Flags Magic Mountain issued the following statement:

“Our ride safety policy strictly prohibits all loose articles on rides. Safety is a partnership between our guests and the park, and guests must follow all written and verbal instructions for safe riding. Our park safety team has already responded to this guest’s request for information.”

The Evans family said despite being season pass holders, they won’t be returning to theme park anytime soon, saying Evie is now too afraid to ride rollercoasters.

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