A roller coaster rider was struck in the head with a cellphone while going 76 miles per hour at a Florida theme park, sparking a debate online on the importance of putting your phone away before getting on high-speed attractions.
Florida Theme Park Coaster Rider Struck With Cellphone at Nearly 80 Miles per Hour
What began as a thrilling evening at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay quickly turned into a nightmare for one guest riding the back rows of Iron Gwazi, the park’s record-breaking hybrid coaster. As the coaster tore through its wooden-steel track at a blistering 76 miles per hour, a camera captured the horrifying moment another rider—just one row ahead—was struck in the face by a flying object. The force? Enough to make anyone watching the clip wince in disbelief.
What hit them? A cellphone.
But the bigger question is—how did this even happen in the first place?
Viral Video Sparks Outrage and Urgency
The footage, reportedly filmed on June 16 by a rider wearing a GoPro-style camera harness, has since gone viral, lighting up social media platforms with concern, shock, and debate. In the clip, you hear the wind roaring past before the sound of impact and the visible reaction of the injured rider ahead. Then—cut. No update. No aftermath. Just stunned silence.
I rode Iron Gwazi on Friday (rain ride) but something unexpected happened 2 rows in front of me, a phone flew back on the last hill into the brakes and hit someone on the head in front of me The phone ended up in my lap when flying back …this is scary … – @EthanHersaft on X
I rode Iron Gwazi on Friday (rain ride) but something unexpected happened
2 rows in front of me, a phone flew back on the last hill into the brakes and hit someone on the head in front of me
The phone ended up in my lap when flying back
…this is scary
— Ethan Hershaft (@EthanHershaft) June 16, 2025
While the video ends abruptly, the conversation it sparked is just getting started.
A Preventable Tragedy?
According to park policy and common sense, riders are explicitly instructed to secure or completely stow away loose articles before boarding any high-speed ride. Yet, despite repeated warnings, guests continue to sneak in phones for selfies, ride POVs, and social media clout—putting themselves and others in danger.
Iron Gwazi reaches speeds of 76 mph, and the sheer physics of a loose phone at that velocity turns it into a potentially lethal projectile. While Busch Gardens has not yet released a statement on this specific incident, the event has reignited calls for stricter enforcement or even tech-based locker systems similar to those used at Universal Orlando.
The Undercurrent: When Fun Meets Recklessness
The underlying issue isn’t just about phones on rides—it’s about culture. Theme park thrill seekers increasingly prioritize content creation over safety. From TikTok ride challenges to live-streaming attractions, guests are risking more for views and virality.
This latest incident poses a pressing question: At what point do theme parks implement harsher measures, or will someone have to suffer a far more tragic outcome before change happens?
It’s not just about the rider who got hit. It’s about everyone around them who didn’t expect a smartphone to become a missile mid-air.
What Happens Next at This Florida Theme Park?
With the video making its rounds online and guests continuing to weigh in with their own experiences and fears, theme park experts and safety advocates are calling for action. Could this moment push parks like Busch Gardens into adopting mandatory metal detectors, stricter bag checks, or even banning on-ride filming equipment altogether?
Until then, thrill rides will continue—but so will the risks. And unless guest behavior shifts, so too will the potential for more dangerous, preventable moments like this one.
So the next time you board a coaster, the question isn’t just “Am I ready for the drop?” — it’s “Is everyone around me taking this seriously?”
The thrill of the ride is never worth someone’s safety. As more people film their theme park adventures, it’s time for parks—and guests—to step up and draw a firm line between fun and recklessness. Whether you’re filming a vlog or pocketing your phone, every second counts when you’re hurtling at highway speeds.
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