Teen Girl Ejected From Mexico Carnival Ride Dies, Prompting Safety Review
A festive evening in Baja California Sur turned tragic this week when an 18-year-old woman plunged to the ground from an amusement park ride while it was in motion, triggering a criminal investigation and the replacement of the city’s civil protection chief, local outlet Expreso reported.
The case quickly became a story of danger, grief and institutional fallout in Cabo San Lucas, where a night of celebration at the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Fiestas ended in loss of life.
A Festive Evening in Cabo San Lucas Turns Deadly
According to reports, Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco was riding an attraction called “El Péndulo” (“The Pendulum”) at the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Fiestas when she was somehow ejected from her seat while the machine was running. Onlookers stood nearby as emergency personnel responded.
Emergency personnel, including state investigators and municipal police, rushed to the scene to administer first aid. She was evacuated by ambulance to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving, according to local reports.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce that the young woman who was injured in the incident that occurred in the mechanical attractions area of the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Festivals, and who was immediately transferred for medical attention, lost her life despite the efforts of the health personnel,” the Los Cabos city council said in a Spanish statement, according to a translation.
The Ride and the Incident
The fatal accident has sparked administrative fallout. Local officials announced the removal of the head of the Municipal Directorate of Civil Protection and Risk Management, according to Mexican news outlets including Opinión Sonora.
An interim director was installed to ensure that investigators had unfettered access to the department’s files, safety protocols and operational permits, Expreso reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to the local mayor’s office, Baja California Sur Public Security and the Los Cabos Transparency Office for additional details.
The Baja California Sur State Attorney General’s Office (PGJE) has launched a formal probe to determine liability, local outlets reported. Forensic experts in engineering and architecture are currently examining the amusement park ride to verify if it met safety standards, Expreso reported.
As of the middle of the week, authorities had not named the ride’s operators or made any arrests.
“It could have been any one of us.”
In the immediate aftermath of the fall, Los Cabos Mayor Christian Agúndez ordered the total suspension of “El Péndulo” and mandated a preventative safety inspection of all other attractions at the fairground, the same outlet said.
Speaking to a concert crowd at the festival later that same evening, Agúndez urged the community to rally around the grieving family. He pledged municipal support, local news sources reported.
“Today, with the same spirit with which we come together to celebrate, we must come together to support Gabriela’s family. It could have been any one of us. You are not alone,” the mayor of Los Cabos said.
Criminal Investigation and Political Fallout
The fatal accident has prompted anger and fallout in Cabo San Lucas. Local officials announced the removal of the head of the Municipal Directorate of Civil Protection and Risk Management, according to Mexican news outlets including Opinión Sonora.
An interim director was installed to ensure that investigators had unfettered access to the department’s files, safety protocols and operational permits, Expreso reported.
The Baja California Sur State Attorney General’s Office (PGJE) has launched a formal probe to determine liability, local outlets reported.
Forensic experts in engineering and architecture are currently examining the amusement park ride to verify if it met safety standards, Expreso reported.
As of the middle of the week, authorities had not named the ride’s operators or made any arrests.
What Happens Next in the Probe
In the immediate aftermath of the fall, Los Cabos Mayor Christian Agúndez ordered the total suspension of “El Péndulo” and mandated a preventative safety inspection of all other attractions at the fairground, the same outlet said.
Speaking to a concert crowd at the festival later that same evening, Agúndez urged the community to rally around the grieving family. He pledged municipal support, local news sources reported.
“Today, with the same spirit with which we come together to celebrate, we must come together to support Gabriela’s family. It could have been any one of us. You are not alone,” the mayor of Los Cabos said.
Rodríguez Tezoco was a 2026 high school graduate, according to reports.
Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Safety Questions Raised After El Péndulo Incident
The suspension of “El Péndulo” and the mandatory inspection of other attractions at the fairground have raised urgent questions about amusement park safety in tourist-heavy regions. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet said whether the ride malfunctioned or whether operator error played a role.
The case remains a developing story, with officials promising a formal review and the public looking for answers in the wake of the tragedy.
The investigation continues, and further details are expected as authorities complete their review.
News, Travel, Health, Government, Society, Mexico, Baja California Sur, Cabo San Lucas, Amusement Park Safety
