Iowa deadly raft overturned at amusement park water ride accident death

A child is killed and three others are critically injured in a 'accident' at a US amusement park when a Raging Rivers raft overturns.

A child died and three others are in critical condition in the United States after an amusement park ride malfunctioned.

Six people were riding the Raging Rivers water ride attraction at Iowa's Adventureland Park when their raft overturned.

Michael Jaramillo, 11, died as a result of his injuries.

Three others, including a child, were reportedly in critical condition.

Alyssa Wilson, a police spokeswoman, described the incident as a "tragic accident."

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jaramillo family as they struggle to come to terms with their child's heartbreaking loss,” she said in a statement.

The ride transports rafts through water via a conveyor belt.

The manner in which the raft flipped is unknown.

The ride will remain closed while police and inspectors conduct an investigation into the incident.

Adventureland stated that the Raging Rivers attraction was inspected on Friday and found to be in good condition.

“Adventureland's number one priority is safety,” the theme park's legal representative Guy Cook told KTLA.

“For nearly four decades, the Raging River ride has been in operation. It's a very safe ride.”

Second calamity

However, this is not the first time on the ride that a tragedy has occurred.

In 2016, an employee assisting patrons in and out of boats fell onto the conveyor belt when the ride began moving unexpectedly.

The 68-year-old employee became trapped between a wall and a raft, repeatedly ramming his head until the ride was shut down.

He passed away a few days later.

The theme park was fined $US4500 ($A6025), and the employee's family settled a lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.