Kingda Ka, a Six Flags landmark that was once touted as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, was imploded on Friday. The 456-foot-tall attraction survived routine mechanical failures that precipitated months-long closures, occasional lawsuits from injured riders, and even a lightning strike. However, just two months shy of its 20th birthday, the self-proclaimed "King of Coasters" succumbed after a brief and valiant struggle with what its owner, Six Flags Great Adventure, called “growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences.” The roller coaster opened to great fanfare at the theme park in 2005, shooting riders up a 456-foot tall "top hat" hill at speeds of up to 128 mph – making Kingda Ka the fastest roller coaster in the world at the time. On Feb. 28, the implosion was scheduled to happen between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., but a series of explosions took down the ride just before 7 a.m., leaving behind a pile of broken track pieces and massive steel beams. Six Flags announced that Kingda Ka was destroyed to make way for a new roller coaster, but no details were provided.
