NSHS
RG3348-6-266
Above: Omaha's Krug Park from a postcard mailed in
1906. Opposite: The Omaha World-Herald reported on
the crash in its July 25, 1930, issue with photos of the
damaged roller coaster.
JULY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 13
of little pleasure parties from the time the grounds opened
in the morning until the gates were closed when the last cars
commenced to make their way to the city."
The 1930 roller coaster mishap resulted in four deaths and
many injuries, causing a near panic at the park. The World-
Herald said on July 25: "Following the accident hysterical
crowds rushed to the scene and police had to divide time
between battling the crowds and aiding the injured ... The
accident occurred on the Fifty-second street side of the park,
three-fourths of a block north of the entrance. A crowd of
curious onlookers thronged the Fifty-second street side of
the park until nearly midnight. An extra detail of police were
necessary to handle the dense traffic that steered toward the
place when news of the tragedy spread."
Omaha officials moved speedily to determine the cause
of the accident. City Commissioner John Hopkins, who
surveyed the scene, told the World-Herald that there had
evidently been some object on the track that derailed the
first car. It was later reported in the press that the accident
was caused by a loose bolt on a brake shoe. The brake shoe
fell under one of the front wheels. This derailed the first car,
which then pulled the other three with it. Three of the cars
overturned, pinning most of the occupants beneath them.
The unconscious victims were pulled from the wreckage and
taken to hospitals in private cars before ambulances arrived.
Following the accident, Krug Park was
closed for the evening at the suggestion of
Commissioner Hopkins but reopened the next
day, except for the roller coaster. Business
declined, however, and the park was closed
for good in 1940. ■
Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's
website at nebraskahistory.org.
