A family recalls the fear they felt when the studio tram they were riding in crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood, leaving 15 people injured.
Since the incident, the Murrieta family claims park officials have downplayed the severity of the crash and the victims’ injuries.
“He indicated it was incredibly dark at the scene,” said Steven Dhillon, the family’s attorney. “Many victims were holding up their flashlights, trying to locate other victims, everybody was screaming. It was mass hysteria.”
Emergency crews responded to the park on April 20 just after 9 p.m., after reports of a crash taking place during the studio backlot tour attraction.
The tram was passing the Jurassic Park exhibit when, while making a left turn, the last tram car struck a metal guardrail on the right-hand side, according to California Highway Patrol.
The maneuver tilted the vehicle, causing passengers to fall out and onto the road. Emergency crews transported 15 people to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
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The damage to a Universal Studios Hollywood tram car after crashing into a metal guardrail during a backlot studio tour on April 20, 2024. -
A Murrieta family celebrating 11-year-old Sophia’s birthday were injured in the tram crash at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 20, 2024. -
Fifteen people were injured after a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood during a backlot tour on April 20, 2024. (Rebecca Miller) -
Fifteen people were injured after a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood during a backlot tour on April 20, 2024. (Rebecca Miller) -
The father of a Murrieta family celebrating 11-year-old Sophia’s birthday was injured in the tram crash at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 20, 2024. -
The father of a Murrieta family celebrating 11-year-old Sophia’s birthday was injured in the tram crash at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 20, 2024. -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram enters King Kong 360 3-D at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
Fifteen people were injured after a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood during a backlot tour on April 20, 2024. (KeyNews.TV) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – JUNE 02: TV personality Jimmy Fallon (R, waving) hosts “Tram-tastic” Day at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 2, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – JUNE 02: TV personality Jimmy Fallon (R, waving) hosts “Tram-tastic” Day at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 2, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram tour passes an old tram as it enters King Kong 360 3-D at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram enters Fast & Furious – Supercharged! at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – MAY 25, 2023 – Visitors enter the set or Jupiter’s Claim from the movie, “Nope,” while taking the Universal Studios Tram Tour on May 25, 2023. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years with new and nostalgic enhancements, including a unique step off tram and onto a movie set moment, a reimagined Earthquake attraction, return of the Runaway Train and a colossal Jurassic World T. rex dinosaur encounter from April 26 through August 11, 2024. (Universal Studios Hollywood) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram tour travels through the set for The Good Place television show at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years with new and nostalgic enhancements, including a unique step off tram and onto a movie set moment, a reimagined Earthquake attraction, return of the Runaway Train and a colossal Jurassic World T. rex dinosaur encounter from April 26 through August 11, 2024. (Universal Studios Hollywood) -
Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years with new and nostalgic enhancements, including a unique step off tram and onto a movie set moment, a reimagined Earthquake attraction, return of the Runaway Train and a colossal Jurassic World T. rex dinosaur encounter from April 26 through August 11, 2024. (Universal Studios Hollywood) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram tour travels past the world’s largest blue screen at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 12: The studio tram tour visits Bruce the shark from Jaws at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Monday, Feb 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) -
Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years with new and nostalgic enhancements, including a unique step off tram and onto a movie set moment, a reimagined Earthquake attraction, return of the Runaway Train and a colossal Jurassic World T. rex dinosaur encounter from April 26 through August 11, 2024. (Universal Studios Hollywood) -
Actor Jimmy Fallon performs the new Universal Studio Tour theme song at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 2, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage) -
Studio Tour Glamor Tram on the Universal backlot. (Universal Studios Hollywood)
One family visiting from Murrieta was injured in the crash, including 11-year-old Sophia who was celebrating her birthday at the theme park.
Sophia was ejected from the tram and her father suffered leg, back and shoulder injuries. The girl’s mother was the most injured in the family.
“She was propelled so violently into the plexiglass wall in front of her,” Dhillon said. “It impacted her brain so much that it started to bleed. She’s been experiencing headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation. The list goes on and on.”
All three injured family members were treated at a local hospital and later released.
Universal Studios released a statement after the crash saying, “We are thankful that, based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor.”
However, Dhillon believes the tram was traveling unusually fast that night and that the windows and walls of the tram were not strong enough to protect riders.
“The guard walls that come down on the tram were so weak that they gave out and allowed the individuals to be hurled outside of the tram,” Dhillon said. “This was by no means a minor accident with minor injuries. You don’t transport a dozen individuals to the hospital for minor injuries.”
Although the family said they do not plan to sue Universal Studios, they are hoping park officials will “step up and do the right thing.”
The studio trams can hold over 100 people and typically travel at low speeds. It’s unclear how many people were on board when the collision occurred.
The Studio Tour remains one of the theme park’s most popular attractions, taking riders on a one-hour backlot tour of some of the most iconic film and television sets in Hollywood history.
Throughout the tour, guests experience several interactive elements including animatronics, 3-D motion, sound stages with special effects, and more.
The attraction is celebrating its 60th Anniversary celebration this year after debuting in 1964.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities confirmed that alcohol and drugs were not considered factors. Officials with the California Highway Patrol will be leading the investigation.
Anyone with information on the incident can call CHP Investigating Officer L. Hawkins at 213-744-2331.