Woman sues, says she was choked by zip line ride
A woman is suing an adventure park in northwest suburban Bloomingdale alleging she was left hanging by her neck on a zip line ride during a birthday party for her 3-year-old son last year.
Evelyn Rapier claims employees at Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park failed to strap her into the harness properly, causing part of it to come loose and slip around her neck.
The suit accuses the workers of negligence and alleges the park did not properly maintain the ride.
Cellphone video of the incident on Nov. 19, 2021, shows Rapier traveling along a track while hanging in the air. She can be seen reaching for the top of the harness with her left hand while grabbing at her neck with her right, according to the lawsuit.
Rapier, 23, alleges she was left hanging for 30 seconds and avoided choking to death by grabbing the harness and holding it away from her neck. “As I swung through the air with the harness choking me, I thought I was going to die,” Rapier said in a statement.
She suffered rope burns to her neck, a severe headache and a sore throat, according to a medical note from Amita Health Resurrection Medical Center. The lawsuit claims Rapier did not sign a release before riding the zip line.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the park said all staff members were retrained after the incident “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The safety and well-being of our guests and employees is Urban Air’s highest priority in everything we do.” the statement said. “One injury is one too many, but what’s important to remember is ride safety is a shared partnership between the park and their guests and it’s essential they follow posted and verbal guidelines and instructions.”
The suit, filed in DuPage County court, seeks unspecified damages.