Parque Warner Madrid confirmed that its flagship coaster, Batman Gotham City Escape, remains closed after a serious incident left a rider injured on Sunday afternoon.
Ride shut after rider injury
At 14:38 local time, a 49‑year-old man suffered a fall while the train was in motion. Emergency crews arrived within minutes and extracted the passenger from the track.
Paramedics lifted the victim onto a helicopter and flew him to Hospital 12 de Octubre. Hospital staff reported an open fracture in the left leg and a closed fracture in the right leg, but said his life is not in danger.
The park’s management said the coaster was stopped “immediately” following the event. Operators followed standard emergency protocols and cleared the area while first responders worked.
Authorities from the regional safety board have been dispatched to the scene. Their preliminary report describes the situation as “potentially serious,” but no cause has been identified yet.
Investigators will examine the train, track and control systems. The park pledged full cooperation and said it will not resume operations until the review is complete.
Safety reviews of this type are routine after any major mishap. They help ensure that mechanical failures or procedural lapses are caught before the public returns, and they often lead to updated inspection schedules.
The emergency response was coordinated with the local health and rescue services, which activated a rapid‑deployment protocol that includes on‑site medical assessment, stabilization, and air transport when ground evacuation would delay critical care. The use of a helicopter shows the severity of the injuries and the park’s commitment to providing the fastest possible treatment.
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Regional safety officials have labeled the incident as “potentially grave,” a classification that triggers a full investigative framework involving both technical specialists and safety auditors. Their mandate includes a detailed audit of the launch mechanism, restraint systems, and any electronic monitoring equipment that records train performance in real time.
Parque Warner Madrid communicated the development through its official social media channels, publishing a statement that the attraction will stay closed while the incident is reviewed in coordination with the authorities. The post, dated late afternoon, included a link to the park’s informational tweet and urged visitors to rely on verified updates rather than speculation circulating online.
Since its inauguration, Batman Gotham City Escape has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the park, frequently featured in promotional material and guest‑generated content. A first‑person video captured by a visitor on a short‑form platform showcases the ride’s dynamic pacing and has amassed considerable attention, while a dedicated guide on a video‑sharing site offers an in‑depth walkthrough of the experience.
The coaster’s design incorporates a series of rapid accelerations generated by an electromagnetic launch system that propels the train forward multiple times throughout the circuit. This technology, supplied by the manufacturer, enables the ride to achieve high speeds without the need for traditional lift hills. The layout also includes a series of inversions that flip riders upside down, as well as a near‑vertical descent that creates a momentary sensation of free fall.
Operationally, the attraction runs three train sets, each equipped with a series of seats that accommodate adult and child riders within a defined height range. The park enforces these limits to ensure that all passengers are properly restrained and can safely experience the forces generated by the launch and inversion elements.
Despite the accident, Parque Warner Madrid announced that the park will stay open from noon to midnight on Sunday. Only the affected coaster will stay shut, and no other attractions are slated for closure.
Social media posts have circulated speculation, but officials urged the public to rely on official statements rather than rumors.
Until the investigation concludes, the coaster will remain inaccessible. The park has not set a timeline for reopening and will issue further updates as they become available.
