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'Texas Giant' Builder Blames Six Flags in Death

<p>The German manufacturer of the Texas Giant at Six Flags over Texas is blasting the amusement park.</p>
Image: Texas Giant roller coaster
The Texas Giant roller coaster at the Six Flags amusement park is seen in a 2011 photo.

The German manufacturer of the Texas Giant at Six Flags over Texas is blasting the amusement park.

In a cross-complaint filed in the case involving the death of a Dallas woman, Gerstlauer Amusement Rides said the park is solely to blame for the accident.

On July 19th, Rosy Esparza got on the Texas Giant and soon after plummeted to her death.

In the new court document, Gerstlauer said, "Six Flags failed to exercise reasonable care in their hiring, training and supervision of the ride operators... on the date of the accident."

Specifically adding, “…by not activating the Emergency Stop button at their fingertips when a Six Flags employee observed... Esparza's lap bar was 'too high' as the train left…"

Attorney Frank Branson, representing the Esparza family, said interviews with employees show that one of the workers operating the ride “had a button that could have stopped and should have stopped the ride,” but that button was not pressed.

See original report at NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

The German maker also said Six Flags had a hand in designing the ride. Six Flags has blamed the death on a dangerous, defective ride.

Gerstlauer Amusement Rides said the park “expressly designed and specified in writing that there be no seat belts.”

Soon after the accident, seat belts were added, and there was a test seat put out, so people could see if they could safely get on the ride. Gerstlauer Amusement Rides said that seat was provided for the park two years prior to the accident, but never used.

Six Flags over Texas responded to the countersuit.

“The manufacturer assured Six Flags that the Texas Giant, without seat belts, was safe for riders. As an additional safety measure, when the ride re-opened in September, we added incremental and overlapping safety measures including re-designed restraint bar pads and new seat belts. The safety of our guests is our number one priority,” said Six Flags over Texas spokesperson Sharon Parker.

— NBC Dallas-Fort Worth