Plaintiff Drops Lawsuit Over Blizzard Beach Waterslide

Overview

• The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, closing the case without any judicial finding on the merits.
• Plaintiff Eugene Strickland originally sued in May 2025 claiming he suffered “permanent catastrophic injuries” after an inner tube was dislodged on the Downhill Double Dipper and seeking $50,000.
• The incident at Blizzard Beach occurred in July 2021 and the complaint says Strickland became momentarily airborne before his tube left him and he struck the slide surface.
• Reports note Strickland reportedly weighed 334 pounds when he rode the attraction, which has a posted 300-pound weight limit, a fact cited in coverage of the case.
• The dismissal gives no public reason for the withdrawal, so the allegations remain untested in court and there is no record outcome that would change park policy or set legal precedent.