Fatal accident on the "Twister" slide: 25-year-old dies after collision at Miramar

The course of the accident: Sliding simultaneously despite traffic light control

According to the public prosecutor's office, video recordings from the slide entrance show that only the first of the four men waited for the green signal. The three following did not do so and slid down immediately afterward.

A collision occurred in the lower part of the slide, where users slide into a funnel, are slowed down, and enter a pendulum motion. Recordings from inside the slide show four people in this section who could no longer control their movement.

The 25-year-old lost consciousness during the collision and inhaled water into his lungs, interrupting the oxygen supply to his brain. Pool staff immediately provided first aid and resuscitated the man on site.

Resuscitation on site and death in hospital

The injured man was then taken to a hospital, where he remained in a coma. On May 29, doctors declared him brain-dead, after which life support measures were discontinued. On Friday, the man succumbed to his severe injuries.

A spokesman for the Mannheim police confirmed the death. Miramar issued a statement during the night expressing its condolences. It stated verbatim: "Our sympathy goes out to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. The news has deeply affected us."

The operators also stated that, according to current knowledge, there were no indications of a technical defect in the slide or of staff misconduct. A spokesperson emphasized that the slide had been operated without accidents since its installation in 2017.

Investigations and safety issues

Miramar assumes, according to its own statements, that the cause of the accident lies in a violation of the rules of use and safety regulations. The group had previously been warned by pool staff for disregarding the rules.

The Mannheim public prosecutor's office and the Mannheim criminal police have launched investigations. On Thursday, after the accident, the pool handed over surveillance camera footage and other documents to the police.

A spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office stated that technical documents and video material are being evaluated and numerous witnesses are being interviewed. Furthermore, a judicial autopsy of the deceased has been requested.

Rare accidents - but not an isolated case

The German Association for Bathing (Deutsche Gesellschaft für das Badewesen) described fatal slide accidents as rare. The organization does not keep statistics on such incidents. In 2019, a 37-year-old man suffered a spinal cord injury in a water park on the North Sea coast after sliding headfirst, contrary to safety regulations.

In that case, the Higher Regional Court of Oldenburg found at least partial responsibility on the part of the manufacturer and operator; the verdict is not yet legally binding. Operators of public water slides in Germany must comply with the European standard DIN EN 1069 for water slides.

According to current case law, no supervisor is required at the start of large slides if video surveillance, sensors, and a traffic light system are in place. Investigations into the exact course of the accident at Miramar are ongoing.