UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD – A horrifying accident at Universal Studios Hollywood left 15 people injured when the backlot studio tram they were riding in crashed. A family from Murrieta, among the victims, alleges that the park’s officials are undermining the severity of the crash and the resulting injuries.
Steven Dhillon, the family’s legal counsel, described the scene as chaotic and terror-filled, noting the darkness and mass hysteria. He reiterated the use of flashlights by various victims to locate others amidst the screams and panic.
The crash occurred during the studio backlot tour attraction around 9 p.m. on April 20. As per the California Highway Patrol, the last tram car hit a metal guardrail on the right while making a left turn near the Jurassic Park exhibit. The impact caused the vehicle to tilt, tossing passengers onto the road. Fifteen individuals suffered minor to moderate injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
Among the victims were an 11-year-old girl, Sophia, visiting with her family for her birthday celebration, and her parents. The crash resulted in Sophia being thrown from the tram, while her father sustained injuries to his leg, back, and shoulder. Sophia’s mother was the most severely injured, experiencing severe head trauma that led to vomiting, nausea, headaches, and disorientation, and brain bleeding.
The park officials have been criticized for their statement claiming the injuries sustained were minor, given the extent of the injuries, particularly those inflicted upon Sophia’s mother. Dhillon counters this claim, asserting the tram was moving unusually fast and that the tram’s windows and walls provided insufficient protection.
While the family is not intending to file a lawsuit against Universal Studios, they urge park officials to take responsibility. As of now, the reason behind the crash is still under investigation, with the California Highway Patrol confirming that neither drugs nor alcohol were factors.