Teenager dies after falling from amusement ride in Mexico

18-year-old Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco was thrown from the Pendulum ride at a fair in Cabo San Lucas

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

An 18-year-old woman has died after being thrown from an amusement ride at a fair in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, prompting an investigation and a preventive review of rides by local authorities.

Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco was on a ride called the Pendulum at a fair celebrating the Feast of St. Luke on October 20 when she slipped from the restraints and was thrown from the ride, according to local news reports. Footage captured by another passenger shows the incident.

Paramedics treated Rodríguez Tezoco at the scene before she was rushed to a local hospital, where she died shortly afterward, SDPnoticias reported.

Los Cabos Mayor Christian Agúndez said on social media that he was aware of the incident and had ordered a review into the fair's rides.

"Since I became aware of what happened, I have been monitoring the situation. My first thought is with her and her family," Agúndez said. "I have instructed that they receive all the support they need, with closeness and full respect for their privacy."

The ride was suspended and emergency crews secured the area for further investigation. "The relevant authorities are already carrying out the necessary procedures to find out what happened," Agúndez said. "In the meantime, I have ordered a preventive review of the rides at the fair to ensure that they operate in safe conditions."

The mayor added that he understands what the fair means for families in Los Cabos and that safety is his priority.

Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.

The death comes after a separate fatal incident earlier this month in the United States, where a man died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The incident highlights potential safety risks at travelling fairs and temporary amusement rides, which may not be subject to the same inspection standards as permanent theme parks.
The death of a young person at a community event raises questions about ride maintenance, restraint systems, and operator oversight in Mexico.
The mayor's swift response, including a preventive review of all fair rides, may set a precedent for safety enforcement in the region.

Background

Amusement ride accidents are rare but can have fatal consequences. In Mexico, temporary fairs often operate with permits from local authorities, but safety standards can vary. The Feast of St. Luke is a traditional celebration in Cabo San Lucas that includes carnival rides, food stalls, and entertainment.

Key Perspectives

[Local authorities]: Mayor Christian Agúndez has expressed sympathy for the victim's family and promised a thorough investigation. He ordered a preventive review of all rides at the fair to ensure safe operation. [Victim's family]: Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco's family has been offered support by the mayor's office. They are awaiting the results of the investigation. [Ride operators and fair organizers]: No statements have been reported from the ride operator or fair organizers. The ride has been suspended pending investigation.

What to Watch

The findings of the investigation into the cause of the ride failure, including whether mechanical or human error was to blame.
Whether the preventive review leads to new safety regulations for temporary fairs in Los Cabos.
Possible legal action or compensation claims by the victim's family.

Sources

Shocking footage shows moment young woman killed after falling from ride in Mexico · 7NEWS

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedA teenager died after falling from an amusement ride in Mexico.7NEWS: “A teenager has died after being thrown from an amusement ride at a fair in Mexico.”
Supported18-year-old Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco was on the Pendulum ride at a fair in Cabo San Lucas.7NEWS: “The 18-year-old girl, identified by local news outlets as Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco, was on a ride called the Pendulum at a fair to celebrate the Feast of St. Luke when she fell to her death in Cabo San Lucas on October 20.”
SupportedThe incident prompted an investigation and a preventive review of the fair’s rides by local authorities.7NEWS: ““The relevant authorities are already carrying out the necessary procedures to find out what happened,” he said. “In the meantime, I have ordered a preventive review of the rides at the fair to ensure that they operate in safe conditions.””
SupportedAgúndez said, “Since I became aware of what happened, I have been monitoring the situation. My first thought is with her and her family,”7NEWS: ““Since I became aware of what happened, I have been monitoring the situation. My first thought is with her and her family,” Agúndez said.”
SupportedAgúndez said, “I have instructed that they receive all the support they need, with closeness and full respect for their privacy.”7NEWS: ““I have instructed that they receive all the support they need, with closeness and full respect for their privacy.””
SupportedAgúndez said, “The relevant authorities are already carrying out the necessary procedures to find out what happened,” and that he had ordered a preventive review of the rides.7NEWS: ““The relevant authorities are already carrying out the necessary procedures to find out what happened,” he said. “In the meantime, I have ordered a preventive review of the rides at the fair to ensure that they operate in safe conditions.””
SupportedThe fair celebrated the Feast of St. Luke on October 20.7NEWS: “The 18-year-old girl, identified by local news outlets as Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco, was on a ride called the Pendulum at a fair to celebrate the Feast of St. Luke when she fell to her death in Cabo San Lucas on October 20.”
SupportedRodríguez Tezoco slipped from the restraints and was thrown from the ride.7NEWS: “Footage from the incident captured by another ride passenger shows the young woman slipping from the rides restraints before being thrown from the ride.”
SupportedParamedics treated Rodríguez Tezoco at the scene before she was taken to hospital, where she died shortly afterward.7NEWS: “Rodríguez Tezoco was treated by paramedics at the scene before she was rushed to a local hospital where she died shortly afterward, according to SDPnoticaias.”
Partly supportedThe ride was suspended and emergency crews secured the area for further investigation.7NEWS: “The ride was suspended and emergency crews secured the area for further investigation, Agúndez said.”
SupportedInvestigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.7NEWS: “Investigations into the cuase of the incident remain ongoing.”
SupportedEarlier this month, a man died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in the United States.7NEWS: “Earlier this month a man was killed after falling from a rollercoaster in the US. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after falling from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, near Atlanta.”