The Day the Laughter Stopped: Chapultepec Fair Operator's Haunting Account of the 2019 Roller Coaster Tragedy

Former Chapultepec Fair Operator Recounts Traumatic Accident Experience Mexico City – Six years after the tragic accident at La Feria de Chapultepec, former operator Pepe Elizalde has shared a poignant first-hand account of the events of September 28, 2019, and their profound impact on his life. The incident, which involved the derailment of the "Quimera" roller coaster, led to the permanent closure of the iconic amusement park. Elizalde began his day at the park as usual, working at a children's ride. He described the atmosphere as "normal and hot in the park" with no unusual sounds or indications of impending disaster. At approximately 1:10 PM, as he was preparing his ride, a "loud bang invaded the entire park." He recounted, "I saw how the last car derailed." Paralyzed by fear, he witnessed the scene unfold, noting the car returning to the tracks, sparking, and pieces flying into the air. The immediate aftermath was chaotic. Visitors were "engulfed in terror and uncertainty," running and screaming. Parents at his ride urgently sought their children. Elizalde, tasked with directing visitors to a refund kiosk, observed the growing panic as people struggled to understand what had happened. He mentioned a colleague who witnessed a wheel from the train fall near the park's entrance, and other co-workers who saw the event from the heights of another ride, accompanied by crying visitors. The emotional toll on Elizalde was significant. He struggled with sleep, experiencing nightmares and a diminished academic performance. He noted that despite the park offering psychological therapy, he only received four sessions, and the trauma persists. "My body enters a state of alert, a shiver runs from head to toe, and I remain immobile for several seconds," he stated, describing his reaction to loud, metallic noises. He also shared a panic attack he suffered during a subsequent roller coaster ride. Elizalde emphasized the human element, stating, "People completely forgot that the operators of La Feria de Chapultepec were human beings and that, unfortunately, we were also victims of what happened." He hopes his video provides visibility to the experiences of the park's employees and serves as a form of therapy to process the enduring psychological damage. The park's concession was ultimately withdrawn, leading to its closure after 54 years of service.

El Financiero

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