Officials with Adventureland theme park tried their best to find ways to keep a popular ride safely operating. But in the end, the safest decision was to just shut it down for good.

KCCI reports
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The Raging River ride has had a checkered past but really came under intense scrutiny after an accident during the summer of 2021. In July of that year, KCCI reports that Michael Jaramillo died while riding the attraction with his family. A raft capsized, trapping the family underneath the water. Michael's brother and father were also injured. KCCI reports that the Jaramillo family has a lawsuit against the previous owners of Adventureland, seeking nearly $100 million in damages. The lawsuit contends that the Iowa Division of Labor should have found 17 safety violations on the Raging River prior to the deadly accident.

My family took many rides on the Raging River during our family trips to Adventureland. But after the accident in 2021 that claimed the life of Michael Jaramillo, we never rode it again. I'm guessing other park patrons felt the same way. Adventureland is making the right move here. Get rid of something inherently dangerous, and focus on the rides of the future.

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