 |
|
 |
|
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
Due to Database
Issues an Index
of Accidents is
Not Available
|
| Girl, 10, Dead
After Falling From Ride; 7 Others Injured
12.26.06 - A ten-year-old girl has
been killed and seven minors hurt, after being thrown
from an amusement ride at a holiday fair in Marikina
City, Philippines around 4 p.m. Monday.
A report indicates that Marikina City
police have arrested the fair manager, and two
assistants. Police, however, are looking for the
amusement ride's registered owner, too.
Apparently, police indicated that employees and its owner will be
charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide
and multiple physical injuries. |
|
Report: State of Ohio
Releases Son of Beast Report
12.14.06 - The Son of Beast roller
coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio suffered from a
design deficiency and that is what caused an accident to
occur in 2006. This according to a report released by
the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The report indicates that a
bent leg cracked which kept it from supporting the
weight of the car as it sped down the track.
The cracked leg subsequently
led to two other legs that support the track to crack,
too.
Kings Island responded by
saying that they intend to follow the state's
suggestions and have also announced they will take out
the loop part of the ride, so lighter trains can be
used.
Read The Report
Here
(requires PDF)
Related Stories --- Kings
Island:
|
| Amusement Park
Fined For 2001 Death
12.9.06 - Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was
fined 35,000 pounds plus costs of 40,000 pounds for
breaching health and safety legislation.
A maintenance electrician was fined 2,500 pounds plus
costs of an additional
500 pounds. The manufacturer of the attraction Societe
Reverchon Industries,
was fined a total of 120,000 pounds plus 55,000 pounds
for costs.
In 2001 a 20-year-old woman
died from injuries she suffered while in a roller
coaster at Lightwater Valley Theme Park in North
Yorkshire, England. Apparently two of the roller
coaster's cars collided on The Tree Top Twister spinning
steel roller coaster.
The 20-year-old woman died from head and spinal
injuries. Three (3) other people were also injured, too.
Read the press release
regarding the incident and fines:
|
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE News Release
December 8th 2006
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was today
fined £35,000 plus costs of
£40,000 for breaching health and safety
legislation in a hearing at Leeds
Crown Court before Mr Justice Simon.
Maintenance electrician Mr Eric Butters was
fined £2,500 plus costs of
£500. The French manufacturer, Societe Reverchon
Industries, France, was
found guilty after a four-day trial. The
company, which is in liquidation,
was fined a total of £120,000 plus £55,000
costs.
The cases were brought after a Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) investigation
into an incident on 20 June 2001 at Lightwater
Valley theme park, North
Yorkshire. 20 year old student Gemma Savage died
and three other riders were
injured after two cars collided on the 'Treetop
Twister' roller coaster.
After today's hearing, HSE's investigating
Inspector Paul Robinson said:
"Gemma Savage tragically died after what should
have been a fun day out
for her.
"The guilty pleas and verdicts and the Judge's
comments and fines imposed
today on the ride supplier, operator and worker
reflect the high safety
standards expected by the law, public and HSE
from all those involved in
supplying and operating fairground and theme
park rides.
"The amusement industry safety record is good
but constant care is required
from all those involved to ensure that high
safety standards are achieved
and members of the public are only exposed to
the illusion of danger"
The 'Treetop Twister' ride at Lightwater Valley
is a roller coaster where
cars are pulled up to a height and then run back
down on an undulating and
twisting track under gravity. When a car failed
to clear a 'hill', it was
held near the top and the ride automatically
stopped the following cars.
Eric Butters used the maintenance hand controls
to return cars to the station
but his actions, combined with the effect of a
ride wiring fault, resulted
in the two cars colliding.
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was charged
with breaching Section 3(1) of
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA).
Mr Butters was charged under
Section 7(a) of the HSWA, and charges against
the ride's French manufacturer,
Societe Reverchon Industries, France, were under
Sections 6 (1A)(a) & 6(1A)(c)
of the HSWA.
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd and Mr Eric
Butters pleaded guilty at an
earlier hearing.
Notes to Editors:
1. Section 3(1) of the HSW Act states, "It shall
be the duty of every employer
to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to
ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, that persons not in his employment
who may be affected thereby
are not thereby exposed to risks to their health
or safety."
2. Section 7(a) of the HSW Act states: "It shall
be the duty of every employee
while at work to take reasonable care for the
health and safety of himself
and of other persons who may be affected by his
acts or omissions at work."
3. Section 6(1A)(a) of the HSW Act states: "It
shall be the duty of any
person who designs, manufactures, imports or
supplies any item of fairground
equipment to ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, that the article
is so designed and constructed that it will be
safe and without risks to
health at all times when it is being used for or
in connection with the
entertainment of members of the public." |
|
| Ride Stuck
Upside Down; Leaves 18 Stranded
11.6.06 - 18 people were
trapped upside down at Strathclyde Country Park, in
Motherwell, Scotland, which is near Glasgow.
One of the victims, suffered from shock and from apparent
hypothermia. He was rushed to the hospital for further
evaluation. Other
riders, after they were rescued, were left feeling
dizzy and bruised from the pressure of having restraints
pushed down on their body. According to officials,
though, the accident was a result of a "small" technical
failure on the attraction.
Health and safety officials will be
conducting an inspection of the ride in question.
(photo courtesy
http://news.bbc.co.uk
) |
|
Girl, 13, Panics on Ride;
Ejected Some 60 Feet 11.1.06
- A 13 year-old girl was severely injured at the
Georgia-Carolina state fair in Augusta, Georgia when she was thrown from the Orbiter
ride.
The girl was taken to the hospital for severe head
injuries. She was also in an induced coma until Sunday night.
The Orbiter ride was immediately shut down, but after an
investigation and inspection by state inspectors, the Orbiter
was recertified as safe to operate.
The state Department of Labor's Safety Engineering Division
indicated that panic, and an attempt to get out, caused the
accident at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair that flung the girl
some 60 feet from the orbiter ride.
Related Stories -- Orbiter Ride Accidents:
|
|
Boy, 10, Ejected From
Ride at South Carolina State Fair
10.24.06 - A 10-year-old boy
was ejected some 15 feet from a ride at the South
Carolina State Fair in Columbia, South Carolina, he
suffered cuts including one to his head, scrapes, and a
broken leg.
The accident happened on the "Mad Mouse" spinning roller
coaster.
Apparently the safety bar never
locked down as the ride took off with him and his mom.
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation is investigating the accident.
The ride was being operated by North American Midway
Company of California.
Related Stories -- North American Midway Company:
|
| Carnival Ride
Malfunction; 20 Stranded
10.13.06 - 20 fair goers were
stranded aboard the 'Power Surge' ride at the
Sacred Heart Church Fall fest in Pinellas Park, Florida.
The carnival ride broke down, keeping them up in the air
for nearly two hours.
Ride operators released hydraulic fluid, which dropped
the ride back to ground level where safety harnesses
could be released.
No injuries were reported. |
| Texas Man
Falls From Amusement Ride
10.10.06 - A Texas man is in
fair condition after falling up to 10 feet from the
Pole Position roller coaster at the Heart O’ Texas Fair
& Rodeo in Waco, Texas.
The man apparently struck his head on a metal beam
before hitting the ground after falling from the roller
coaster.
State safety officials from Texas, insurance companies
and the ride’s manufacturer Fabbri Group of Italy will
also be investigating the accident.
According to the manufactures website, the Pole Position
roller coaster stands up to 32 feet high, and includes cars
that spin during the ride. Up to five passengers
are secured into each car by a lap bar, as well.
The ride was operated by Crabtree Amusements.
Related Stories -- Carnival Safety:
|
| Operator
Training: Carnival Ride
Operator Arrested For Intoxication
10.9.06 - Authorities arrested
a man who was apparently operating a ride at the Tulsa
State Fair while intoxicated.
The 23-year-old was arrested for the
misdemeanor offense on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old
also indicated to authorities that he was a transient
carnival worker.
Apparently a patron had
witnessed a person hand the ride operator a beer wrapped
in some type of cloth. A law enforcement officer and
State of Oklahoma ride inspector would go and confront
the ride operator finding a cup with beer inside of
it.
The 23-year-old worked for Murphy Brothers, which is
currently operating the Tulsa State Fair. However, the
company has indicated that they have since fired the
worker.
Related Stories -- Tulsa State
Fair:
Related Stories -- Carnival Safety:
|
|
Woman Injured on Flume Ride
10.8.06 - A woman in her 30's
sustained serious head injuriers in an accident at
Liseberg amusement park in Göteborg, Göteborgs-Bohus
Sweden.
She was on the parks flume ride, a ride where passengers
sit in artificial hollow logs, which ends in a rapid
descent and splashdown into a pool of water.
Apparently the woman panicked during the ride, and tried
to get off. She fell out and was struck by the following
two log boats. |
|
One Injured When
Bungee Attraction Breaks
10.3.06 - A 48 year-old man
sustained minor injuries as he dangled on the broken
'Ejection Seat' Bungee type thrill ride at the Tulsa
State Fair for more than 30 minutes after one of the
bungee cords supporting the ride snapped.
The man was treated by emergency medical workers at the
scene. A ride worker also was helped down by rescuers
during the mishap.
The Ejection Seat, consists of a two-seat chair that is
suspended from two towers by bungee cords. It propels
riders as much as 200 feet high at speeds of 60
mph.
The malfunction is being
investigated by the Oklahoma Department of Labor, which
oversees amusement safety. |
|
2 Teens Fall From
Amusement Ride
10.1.06 - Two teenage girls are in
serious condition after falling from the 'Swing Drop'
ride at Kumdori Park in Taejo, North Korea.
Apparently the twelve-year-old and 11-year-old girl
fell over 100 feet to the ground.
One of the girls suffered fractures in her chin and both
legs and was unconscious when she was moved to a nearby
hospital. The other injured girl broke her left leg and
right arm.
One of the girls, however, claims ride operators started
the ride before she was able to fasten her safety belt.
|
|
Carnival Accident
in Connecticut; 2 Children Ejected From Ride
10.1.06 -
Two
riders were sent to the hospital after suffering
injuries on the Orbiter ride at the Berlin Fair in
Berlin, Connecticut.
The ride was shut down after parents reported complaints
that the safety bar latch was malfunctioning on the
ride, and that children were being tossed about.
State officials inspected the ride and did not find any
problems. The ride will remain closed, however.
Ride was operated by Dreamland
Amusements.
UPDATE:
Fair ride reopens
after inspection
- New Britain Herald, 10/1/06
Photo Courtesy:
NBC 30 |
|
Carnival Ride
Injures 4; Ejects 1 of The Injured
9.25.06 - Four children were injured
on the Tilt-a-Whirl ride at a carnival at the
Poplarville Fairgrounds in Poplarville, Mississippi.
The accident occurred about 7:40 p.m. Saturday.
According to witnesses, one of the cars on the ride
opened up and derailed, ejecting one child onto the
metal deck of the Tilt-a-Whirl.
The rides were provided by Rebel Amusement Rides of
Houma, La. |
| Girl, 13, Dead
After Fall From Ride
9.12.06 - A 13-year-old girl accidentally fell some 38
feet to her death while riding on the Wild River ride,
which is one of the attractions at Star City at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.
A friend of the girls, told the police the girl suddenly
felt dizzy and stood up from her seat while they were at
the ride’s highest point. The girl was apparently then
thrown from the ride.
The park and police have
launched investigations. |
|
Accident at
Minnesota State Fair; 6 Injured
9.1.06 - In Falcon Heights, Minnesota
at the Minnesota state fair, 6 people were injured when
one of the boats on the fair's River Raft Ride
overturned.
3 adults and 3 children were in
the boat with their seat belts fastened when the ride
begin it's course at 4pm central standard time.
Apparently some of the riders unbuckled their safety
belts and begin moving about the attraction, putting much of
the weight on one side of the boat. The attraction
apparently then caught on one of the underwater boards
that create the "rapids" on the ride.
A ride operator jumped on the
boat to counterbalance the weight but was unable to
prevent it from overturning. The riders were sent into
the water, which ranges from about 2 to 3 feet deep.
The ride was then deemed safe
by fair safety inspectors and was cleared for operation
by 7pm central standard time. The boat that was involved
in the accident, however, was taken out due to a bent
handrail.
According to members of the
public, the response by ride operators was, "a really
good job." |
| 2 Girls
Injured on Carnival Ride in Michigan
8.27.06 -
Two girls were struck by a
falling metal sign as they rode a carnival ride at the
Chelsea Community Fair in Chelsea, Michigan.
The injuries were said to be
minor.
The ride is being operated by
Mid America Shows. |
| Man Dead After
Being Struck by Train at Amusement Park
8.27.06 - A man in his 20's died
following an accident on the Ghost Train at an amusement
park in the town of Tramore, Ireland.
Apparently the man fell off the Ghost Train and was
struck by an oncoming train.
The Health and Safety Authority
has launched an investigation. |
| 7 Injured at
New York State Fair
8.25.06 - In Syracuse, New York 7 people were injured
when a cable snapped on the 'Drop Zone' attraction,
dropping 14 passengers about 10 feet,
3 of the injured were taken by
ambulance to local hospitals for treatment. All the
injuries, however, were described as 'minor.'
The manager of the ride was quick to point out
that this attraction has been used for years at fairs
around the country without any problems.
The ride is owned by Straight
Shows, a spokesperson for the company indicated, "since
it is a mechanical ride, there is always a small chance
something will malfunction." |
| Girl, 12,
Shocked at Lorain County, Ohio Fair
8.24.06 - In Wellington, Ohio a
12-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was
electrically shocked at the Lorain County Fair.
The girl was exiting the 'Whirl
Wind' attraction when she grabbed a fence and was
shocked by an apparent flow of electricity.
The ride has been closed for
inspection by The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Ride
Safety Division.
The death of, Greyson Yoe in
2003 by electrical shock on a bumper car ride prompted
the state of Ohio to pass, "Greyson's Law," which
increases ride safety at amusement venues all over Ohio.
The law requires certification from a licensed
electrician that everything electrical with an amusement
ride was up to National Electrical Code standards.
The ride was being operated by
Bates Brothers Amusement Company from Wintersville,
Ohio.
UPDATE:
Shock Cause
Determined on Lorain County Fair Ride
- Morning Journal, 8/27/06 |
|
Ride Breaks Down; 10 Left
Hanging Upside Down 8.21.06 -
In Caledonia, Wisconsin 10 people were on the 'Ring of Fire'
Saturday when the ride broke down, leaving the 10 upside
down for up to 17 minutes.
Apparently the motor inside the ride
simply burned out. Carnival officials, however, were quick to
point out that they have never had a problem with this ride.
The state of Wisconsin is
investigating. |
|
Woman, 24, Falls Out of Roller Coaster
8.20.06 - A 24-year-old woman was
injured after falling off of a Mad Mouse roller coaster in
mid-ride at the Indiana State Fair.
The woman's injuries were bad enough to have her transported to
the hospital, where she is in stable condition. It has also
caused the closer of the roller coaster.
According to a witness they saw the woman get thrown from the ride after her lap bar
became unlatched.
The ride is operated by North American Midway
Entertainment, which is out of the Los Angeles, California area.
According to a spokesperson for North American Midway
entertainment, "accidents don't happen often." They also added,
"It's definitely a rare occurrence."
Related Stories -- Mad/Wild Mouse
Roller Coasters
|
|
Report: Ride Operator at
Fault in Rider Accident
8.19.06 - An Arkansas state
inspector says a ride operator should have not let
a large woman take up two seats on a roller coaster at
the Magic Springs amusement park in Hot Springs.
Magic Springs, however, disputed the report. It's saying
that the rider didn't follow the rules for the 'Twist 'n
Shout' ride.
Staff's commentary: The
ride's manufacturer requires one seat per rider. It'd be
interesting to see if warning signs for the ride
indicate such.
Related Stories:
|
| Brother and
Sister Break Arms on Butler Amusement Ride
8.17.06 - A 13-year-old boy and
his 12-year-old sister broke their arms while riding
'The Tornado' at the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield,
Washington on Sunday.
According to the boy who was
injured on the ride, he and his sister put their hands
above the disk on the pole and when they did, their
hands immediately got stuck to it, he then heard his arm
"snap."
The mother tried to get the
attention of the ride operator, but to no avail. When
the ride finally stopped the mother asked park personnel
to call for help, but they told her they did not know
who to call.
According to the Clark County
Fair General Manager, "the kids are victims of a freak
accident and the fair is safe."
Staff's commentary: Perhaps
the Clark County Fair General Manager should take a look
below at other Butler Amusement issues.
Related
Butler Amusement Alerts:
|
| Girl, 10, Dead
After Collapsing at Six Flags Great America
8.17.06 - A 10-year-old girl who
had a heart condition died Wednesday after getting off a
ride at Six Flags Great America.
Around 6:00 p.m., the girl collapsed in the Yukon
Territory section of the park.
Apparently she had just exited from a ride in the Camp
Cartoon Network area.
While she was running to rejoin family members she
suddenly collapsed.
It was later learned that the
girl had a history of heart related problems. |
| Teen, 17,
Breaks Leg While Riding Busch Gardens Roller Coaster
8.12.06 -A 17-year-old a teen was
injured at Busch Gardens Europe (Virginia) around 5:20pm
Friday night after he fractured his femur in two places
on the Alpengeist roller coaster.
Apparently the teen had some
type of pre-existing medical condition which had to do
with bones in his legs. What that condition is, we're
awaiting word.
The boy was airlifted out of
the parks parking lot to a hospital in Norfolk,
Virginia, where there is a doctor who can treat this
boys condition.
The Alpengeist roller coaster has rows of seats that are
suspended from a track. This allows the riders legs to
dangle in the air, while the ride subjects riders to inversions
and other types of elements.
This attraction received an
approval rating of 2 1/2 out of 4 from ASO.
More information on
Alpengeist. |
| Report:
Oakwood Death; Anonymous Letter Says Over-The-Shoulder Restraints
Not Installed Due to Cost
8.10.06 - An anonymous letter to the family
of a girl who was killed on Oakwood's 'Hydro' attraction says that the
park skipped on shoulder restraints to save money.
The implementation of such restraints could have saved
the girls life.
Oakwood had no comment on the
letter, but was going to review it with their legal
team. However, Oakwood's Chief Executive was really
quick to point out, "We have always had the highest
safety standards at Oakwood and evidence during the
inquest has shown that the Hydro ride, if properly
operated, was perfectly safe."
The Chief Executive, however,
"forgot" to mention that CCTV footage taken at the ride
clearly showed that the 16-year olds lap bar was in an
open position. Additional CCTV footage also showed both
operators did not properly check that passengers were
secure. An engineer brought in to inspect the ride, too,
indicated the he could get out of the same seat that the
16-year old was ejected from. Even though lap bar
restraints were locked. He also indicated that seatbelts
could be removed, too, once lap bar restraints were
locked.
Related
Stories:
|
|
Carnival Ride
Malfunction In Wisconsin; 3 Injured
8.06.06 - In Black River Falls,
Wisconsin at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, three kids
were injured and taken to a local hospital for 'bumps
and bruises' and later released after a ride known
as the 'Swing' broke off its center point near the top.
All other riders on the ride received assistance in
getting off the ride.
The owner of the ride is Wenzel Amazements of
Allenton, Wis.,
the incident is now under investigation by ride safety
officials from occupational safety, the Wisconsin
Department of Commerce, and Wenzel Amazements insurance
carrier.
According to the Wenzel
Amazements website, "Safety is Priority #1." |
| Report: Ride
Operator Error May Have Been Issue in Carnival Accident
8.6.06 - An operator of a carnival
ride that was shut down after two teenage girls were
thrown to the ground acknowledged that the accident may
have been his fault.
A report released indicates
that the 39-year-old ride operator was shaking and
upset after the accident, which severely injured one of
the girls when they were thrown about 20 feet to the
ground.
The ride operator told an official
that he might have forgotten to insert the cotter pin,
but pointed out that, "the two other safety features
should have kept the girls in the ride."
The Zipper is a spinning ride with
six sets of free-flipping cars, each with two seats that
face each other. You generally find them at many
carnivals around the United States and the world.
Related stories:
|
| Bungee Snaps
on Ejector Seat Attraction in Montana; 2 Injured
8.3.06 - At the Montana State fair
two men were injured when the
'Human Slingshot Ejection Seat' attraction's cable
snapped.
Operators then lowered the two men to the ground after
about 5 to 10 minutes. One of the men went to the
hospital for observation.
Following a test with carnival
employee volunteers, the Ejection Seat reopened
Wednesday for business.
Montana does not have an
amusement safety inspection program. However the carnival manager
was quick to point out that, "More people die
falling off chairs and other furniture annually than at
carnivals."
|
| Woman, 45,
Falls From Roller Coaster
7.30.06 - At Magic Springs amusement
park in Hot Springs, Arkansas a 45-year-old woman was
thrown out of the Twist and Shout roller coaster.
Apparently the woman was riding
on Saturday when forces generated by the ride pushed her
out of the train she was riding in. She then fell
between 10-15 feet.
She was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
The state of Arkansas has sent in an inspector to
examine the attraction and to find out why her restraint
did not keep her from falling out.
Also note that in August 1999
this same attraction known as 'Wild Wonder' killed a
39-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter when they
were ejected from a car on the Wild Wonder ride at
Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, New Jersey
after it suddenly slid backward from a 30-foot ascent
and crashed into another car.
You can find the report on that
accident here:
|
New
Jersey State Report on Wild Wonder Accident
February 3, 2000
State Investigators Identify Cause of Fatal
Roller Coaster Accident
A state investigation has found that the
principle cause of the 1999 fatal roller coaster
accident in Ocean City was a faulty braking
mechanism – modified without approval less than
two weeks before the incident – that failed to
stop the backward plunge of the car carrying the
two victims.
The braking mechanism, known as an anti-rollback
device, had been modified without necessary
state approval 11 days before the August 28
accident on the Wild Wonder Roller Coaster at
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, according to a report
issued by the state Division of Codes and
Standards.
The report found that the metal "jaws" that are
supposed to clamp to the ride’s rail to stop any
backward motion had been replaced on August 17
and had become worn during the brief time they
were in place. The parts did not conform to the
manufacturer’s metal standards and were "out of
true" to the rail, contributing to the wear. The
out of true condition was due to the
unauthorized modifications.
"This wear meant that there was no sharp point
to grip the rail; so the anti-rollback mechanism
slid along the rail rather than biting into it
with sufficient force to initiate the cam
locking action which would have stopped the
car," the report found. "The fixed and mobile
jaws were not the manufacturer’s original
equipment parts. They were replacement parts
that had been fabricated locally. They were
installed on the cars on August 17, 1999. They
were not hardened in conformity to the
requirements of the manufacturer’s
specification. This contributed to the worn
condition which prevented the anti-rollback
mechanism from gripping the rail."
According to the report’s narrative, the Wild
Wonder is a gravity type roller coaster
comprised of four independent cars, each of
which accommodates four riders, two in a front
seat and two in a back seat. Each car is lifted
to the top of an initial lift hill by an
electrically driven chain that engages a pivot
arm on the bottom of the car and pushes it to
the top. Thereafter, the car proceeds down a
curving inclined track propelled by gravity
alone.
The accident occurred near the top of the
initial lift hill when the car slipped from the
chain and began to roll backwards, the report
stated. The anti-rollback device failed to
engage and the car accelerated backwards down
the hill and around a sharp curve located at the
bottom of the lift hill. The riders were thrown
from the car as it traversed the curve. The
report noted that the car was not designed to
safely traverse so sharp a curve while traveling
backwards at a high rate of speed.
The report also found that:
• The modified jaws were out of true to the
rail, causing the toothed surfaces to make only
partial contact with the rail, accelerating the
wear.
• The low friction conditions that were present
were caused by the partial engagement of the
worn jaw teeth, the relative weakness of two
modified springs used to keep the jaws in
contact with the rail, and light oxidation on
the rail.
• The manufacturer did not furnish the operator
with wear tolerance or replacement schedules for
the toothed jaws.
• The lap bar mechanism failed to function
properly due to an incorrectly adjusted locking
mechanism and a weak part.
• The car came loose from the chain drive
because the pivot arm mechanism had not fully
engaged the chain. This was due to a slight
left/right misalignment of the car with the
chain.
The Division of Codes and Standards has served
notices of violation against Zamperla, the ride
manufacturer, and the owners of the Wonderland
Pier with penalties totaling $55,000.
In addition, the Department of Community Affairs
will work with state lawmakers to develop new
legislation to require greater accountability on
the part of ride manufacturers, increase
requirements for maintenance and testing of ride
components, and increase the penalties for code
violations. |
More information on Twist and Shout:
|
Attraction Name: Twist and Shout
AKA: Wild Wonder Operated
from 1999 to 8/28/1999 at Gillian's Wonderland Pier
Operating since 2000
Attraction Type: Wild Mouse
Attraction Builder: Zamperla, Inc.
Top Speed: 25 mph
Cars resemble '57 Chevy's |
|
| Ride Operator
Hurt on Roller Coaster in England
7.29.06 - At Brighton Pier in
Brighton, England a female worker was injured while she
operated the Turbo roller coaster.
Apparently she slipped and had
her leg trapped underneath one of the roller coaster
cars. It took more than 15 Firefighters to free the
woman using winches and cutters.
The woman was transported to
the hospital with minor injuries. |
|
Man Dead After
Ride on Roller Coaster in Georgia
7.28.06 - In Austell, Georgia at Six
Flags Over Georgia a 45-year-old man lost consciousness
after riding the 200+ foot tall roller coaster,
'Goliath'. It is
believed he may have had a pre-existing medical
condition, which led to an apparent heart attack.
The ride was reopened to the public after an inspection
by the state found it to be operating properly. |
| Girl, 11,
Injured on Roller Coaster in Iowa
7.24.06 - At Adventureland Amusement
Park in Altoona, Iowa, an 11-year old girl was hit in
the head by a loose board that was placed on the side of
the Tornado roller coaster. The board, however, was not
part of the roller coaster.
Adventureland staff inspected
the ride immediately after the accident and they could
not find a problem with the ride. A Division of
Labor, Iowa Workforce Development inspector checked out
the ride as well and determined it was safe, too.
According to Adventureland,
"the park's No. 1 one concern is guests' safety." |
| Man, 52, Dead
After Ride on Busch Gardens Roller Coaster
7.24.06 - A 52-year old Florida
man died after riding the 'Gwazi' roller coaster at
Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida.
First Aid personnel at the park
administered CPR, but the man died later at University
Community Hospital.
Apparently, the man died of a heart attack.
[Staff
Note]: Attraction received negative reviews from
the public. More information below. Scoring a 1 out of
4. At this time we do not know what side the man was
riding.
Gwazi Roller Coaster
Information
|
Statement from Busch Gardens
July 25th, 2006
Busch Gardens is saddened that park guest Thomas
Welch of Palm Harbor died after suffering an
apparent heart attack while visiting the park on
Monday, July 24. We extend our deepest sympathy
to the Welch family.
Mr. Welch asked park attendants for assistance
after exiting the Gwazi roller coaster. He was
responsive when First Aid arrived two minutes
later, but subsequently required CPR, which was
initiated immediately. First Aid also applied an
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to
monitor Mr. Welch's heart activity.
Tampa Fire Rescue arrived about seven minutes
later and transported Mr. Welch to University
Community Hospital.
Gwazi is a double wooden roller coaster that
opened in 1999. It reaches speeds of 50 mph over
3,400 feet of track. The coaster's safety
systems indicated that the ride was operating
normally, and it was reopened following Mr.
Welch's transport to the hospital. Gwazi has
safely entertained millions of riders in its
seven-year history.
We will continue to do our utmost to provide a
safe and enjoyable experience at Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay for the millions of guests who visit
us each year. |
|
| 2 Killed And
13 Injured When Inflatable Ride Blows Away
7.23.06 - In Chester-Le-Street, England,Two
women were killed and 13 people were injured when they
fell from a huge inflatable artwork after it broke its
moorings and flew into the air in northern England.
At least 30 people were inside the walk-in exhibit when
a gust of wind blew it into the air. The artwork, called
the Dreamscape, is a massive inflatable structure of
tunnels and connected rooms in which people can walk
through.
The victims, aged 68 and 38, had been walking through
the artwork with children when it took off. A
three-year-old girl was seriously injured in the freak
accident on Sunday, too. |
|
Boy, 8, Dies After Ride on
Carnival Ride in Michigan
7.22.06 - An 8-year-old died after going on a carnival ride at
the Ionia Fair in Ionia, Michigan.
The death appears to be of natural causes.
The boy stopped breathing while he was on the "Fireball."
Paramedics could not revive him after his father pulled him off
the ride and began CPR. Like every ride at every fair in
Michigan the "Fireball" is inspected once a year, last being
inspected June 2nd.
Inspectors say there is nothing wrong
with the ride, and the boy's family is awaiting the results of
his autopsy. |
|
Roller Coaster Collision
at United Kingdom Amusement Park; 29 Injured
7.20.06 - At Alton Towers Theme Park in
Alton, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, four people were taken
to hospital and 25 others treated for cuts and bruises after
an accident on the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster.
Apparently the front carriages of the ride became separated
and rolled back into the rest of the ride at the park. It
took between 30-40 minutes to empty the train which was full
(46 riders) at the time.
The ride has been closed while the
Health and Safety Executive and Alton Towers investigates
the accident.
Here's some more information on the
ride:
|
Attraction Name: Runaway Mine Train
Operating since 1992
Attraction Builder: Mack GmbH & Co.
Length: 1000'
Max Speed: 22 mph |
|
| Carnival Ride
Malfunctions; 4 Injured
7.15.06 - In Colorado Springs,
Colorado at the Norris Penrose Event Center a carnival
ride crashed sending at least 4 people to the hospital.
The Hi-Roller came to a loud stop around 9 pm. Fire
crews from the Colorado Springs area had to use heavy
rescue techniques to cut some victims out of the ride.
Medical personnel indicated that the injuries appeared
minor, but 4 riders were taken to the hospital
for precautionary reasons.
The Hi-Roller, spins around on a base and track, while
the cars also move in a circle. The ride is operated by
Bill Hames Show, Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas.
Related Stories -- Carnival
Safety:
|
|
Two Roller Coaster Trains Collide; 21 Injured
7.15.06 - At Lisberg amusement park in Goteborg, Sweden,
two roller coaster trains collided on Saturday.
Officials are unclear what caused the accident. The park
was closed after the accident, which happened shortly
after 12pm Sweden time. None of the riders suffered
serious injuries, though.
Officials are investigating the accident to try and
figure out what went wrong. |
|
Amusement Park Worker Shocked
7.13.06 - In Aurora, Ohio at Geauga
Lake Amusement Park an electrician was attempting to
diagnose an electrical problem when she apparently
suffered burns to both of her hands during an electrical
flash near the Pepsi Plunge attraction.
The woman was transported to an
area hospital and later released. Officials at the park,
though, are unsure what caused the electrical flash. |
|
Amusement Safety
Organization Releases 5 Incident Reports on Son of Beast
Roller Coaster
Did crack cause coaster jolt?
"The safety organization raised
the issue with Kings Island officials but got little
reaction"
7.12.06 - Due to public
response, we have decided to release 5 randomly selected
incident reports sent to us here at Amusement Safety
Organization.
After sending an e-mail to
Kings Island regarding negative public feedback, the
early closure of the ride in 2005, and injury concerns,
the previous public relations manager at Kings Island asked us what we meant by, "the ride [Son of
Beast] shutting down earlier this year." We followed up
by simply asking Paramount's Kings Island to keep us up
to date on what was being done to make sure the ride is
safe, as it is our organization's goal to follow through
with our reporting process as an independent
organization [for the benefit and safety of the consumer
and the parks]. No response from the park on that. Did
they have something to hide?
Kings Island's Son of Beast
'could be shut down'
"the April 2003
accident was the only one known to the state until
Sunday."
Jason Herrera of Amusement Safety
Organization sat down last August 24th, 2005 with the
Ohio Amusement Ride Division Chief in his Reynoldsburg
office to discuss issues that ASO had received from the
public regarding Son of Beast, as well as other rides
within Ohio amusement parks. We currently have 74 ride
injury related summaries on Son of Beast. If the state of Ohio or
Kings Island does not know about the issues that we have
received, perhaps there was a break down in
communication, or someone didn't do their job? We're not
too hard to get a hold of. There has
to be further reports somewhere at Kings Island regarding injuries
sustained on Son of Beast. If we have 74 ride injury
related summaries, Kings Island
must have/know about them, too, right?
5 randomly
selected injury reports - Son of Beast at Kings Island
(PDF) |
|
Boy, 7, Loses Legs in Water Park Accident
7.10.06 - In Quebec, Canada, a 7-year old boy was
seriously injured in a swimming pool accident losing
both legs below the knee, when the boy got caught in an
intake pipe at the bottom of the pool
Apparently the boy was playing in a pool at the water
park in Saint-Pie, about 30 miles east of Montreal,
Canada. According to witnesses the little boy had his
leg sucked into the tube, and when he got out of the
pool 'he was missing a foot' and 'the other foot was
attached by just a little skin.'
The boy's heart had stopped, but once pulled from the
water and given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation his vital
signs returned. |
|
Woman, 35, Collapses After Riding Mission: Space
7.10.06 - A 35-year
old woman lost consciousness while getting off The
Mission: Space attraction at Walt Disney World in
Florida. A ride, which 2 people have died on within the
past year.
The woman told emergency personnel that she had tingling
in her arms and hands. Apparently she has since been
released from the hospital.
Related Stories -- Mission: Space:
|
| 27 People
Injured on Son of Beast Roller Coaster in Ohio
7.9.2006 - In Mason, Ohio at
Paramount's Kings Island, 27 people were injured when one
of the cars came to a sudden stop. Many of those injured
suffered chest and neck related injuries.
The ride issue happened around
4:45 p.m est.
The ride will remain closed
while state officials and park officials
inspect the ride and find out what went wrong.
UPDATE:
A preliminary inspection has found that a splintered
timber may have contributed to a sudden jolt that
injured riders this past Sunday. According to
inspectors, they are going to be focusing on the
'structural integrity' of the ride.
[Staff Note]:
This venue has had
re-occurring problems with this attraction, the public
submitted issue after issue to Amusement Safety
Organization. Communication with Kings Island regarding
this attraction did occur, but they have failed to acknowledge that
this attraction has problems.
The accident on this attraction
is not surprising, Amusement Safety Organization visited
with state officials last year regarding this
attraction, offering a sample of public comments
regarding the attraction. Those comments indicated neck
and back complaints, among other issues. More on this
issue as it become available. |
| Two Girls
Injured After Falling Out of Carnival Ride in Minnesota
7.8.2006 - In Hinckley, Minnesota
at the Hinckley's Corn & Clover Carnival 2 girls fell
about 25 feet from a popular carnival ride called, 'The
Zipper.'
According to one witness,
apparently he looked up when he heard screaming
from the ride only to see the ride spinning, the door to
the ride swinging open, and then the girls falling out.
The has been shut down since
and inspectors are going to determine the cause of the
accident. |
|
Child, 6,
Dead After Drowning at Amusement Park in France
7.5.2006 - In Phailly, France A 6-year old Belgian boy
drowned Wednesday afternoon in an artificial river
that has pumps which imitate rapids. The boy was rescued, but could not be revived. Members of the
public looked on while this was going down.
The small boy was part of a group of about one hundred
Belgian children.
More information as it becomes available. |
| Rides Unsafe
at Iowa Fair; State Inspectors Clean House
7.5.06 - In Logan, Iowa a carnival
was cancelled due to some dangerous amusement rides.
Apparently the rides felt unsafe to some members of the
community.
State inspectors from The Iowa
Elevator, Boiler and Amusement Ride Bureau found
numerous safety violations when looking over the
amusement rides. There were problems with the tracks
that support the rides and the connections that hold the
rides onto the rails. Photos also showed some
electrical problems with the rides. One of the rides
passed an inspection, though.
Officials asked the carnival
owner to pack up, even though it was going to cost them
$1800 (deposit).
Iowa state amusement ride
inspectors know where the carnival owner's next
stop will be and apparently they'll be there waiting.
According to an official
with the Chamber of Commerce, "you know those weren't
the original rides that we signed the contracts for."
[Staff note]:
A great job by
the state of Iowa. Hopefully other state and county
agencies follow their lead. |
|
Man, 43, Dead After Drowning at Playland Amusement Park
7.4.06 - In Rye,
New York, a 43-year old man drowned after wading into a
lake at a Playland amusement park. He's the third person
to die at the amusement park in the past three years.
Apparently the man, who was
celebrating July Fourth at Playland Amusement Park with
his wife and child waded into the man-made lake at
Playland and began struggling in the water. The man was
removed from the lake, which is apparently off-limits to
swimmers, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
According to Playland officials
the lake should be marked with "no swimming" signs, but
officials indicated that park visitors sometimes take
those signs down. At it's deepest point the lake is
about 40 feet deep and is primarily used by paddle
boaters and kayakers.
In 2004, a 7-year-old girl died
after falling from the park's Mind Scrambler ride. That
death, however, was due to the girl freeing
herself of her restraining bar.
Also, a 7-year-old boy was killed in 2005 when he
climbed out of his boat ride and fell.
Related stories:
|
|
Carnival Worker Electrocuted
While Setting Up Ferris Wheel
7.3.06 - In Houston,
Missouri a carnival worker was apparently electrocuted
while setting up a Ferris wheel.
The man, 34, fell and
got tangled up in a wire while setting up the Ferris
wheel. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Apparently the
carnival was operated by the deceased man's parents, who
closed the carnival for about an hour after the accident
and then resumed operation.
The deceased man's father told a co-chair of the event,
"You paid for a show and you're going to get a show." |
|
Disney Roller Coaster Death Due to Heart Defect
7.1.06 - The
12-year-old boy who died after riding Rock N'
Roller coaster had a heart defect.
The ride was shut down for a day on Thursday after the
boy, on vacation from Kentucky, fainted at the end of a
ride he took with his father and brother.
His father tried to revive him, but failed.
According to the medical examiner they found no evidence
of injury, however, congenital heart abnormalities were
detected.
Related
Stories:
|
| Child
Injured After Inflatable House Topples Over in Texas
7.1.06 - In The Colony,
Texas heavy winds and rain caused an inflatable bounce
house to topple over with children inside.
A small boy was injured and was taken to the hospital
apparently with a broken arm.
Wind gusts up to 50-mph blew through the area
subsequently toppling over tents and the bounce house. A
number of children were separated from their parents
during the accident, but were reunited with them. |
| 12
Stuck Upside Down on Roller Coaster in Indiana
7.1.06 - At Fun Spot
Amusement Park in Angola, Indiana, the 'Afterburner'
roller coaster stopped, trapping 12 riders upside
down.
The riders were
suspended about 40-50 feet in the air for about 35-40
minutes while fire crews worked to free them.
5 people, however,
were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Fun Spot
Amusement Park officials shut down the roller coaster.
Afterburner has a
single train with 4 cars. Seats are arranged 2 across in
2 rows for a total of 16 potential riders. The ride was
manufactured by Arrow Dynamics.
|
|
Boy,
12, Dead After Ride on Disney Roller Coaster
6.29.06 - At Disney
MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida a 12-year-old boy died
Thursday after riding the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
The child
complained about being ill after the ride and went to an
area hospital where he died. The state Bureau of Fair
Rides Inspection has also been notified and will observe
the inspection and review of the attraction.
Related
Stories:
|
Statement from Walt Disney World Resort
June 29, 2006
A 12-year-old male
Guest was transported by ambulance to
Celebration Hospital today at approximately
11:30 after riding Rock 'N' Roller Coaster. We
subsequently learned that he passed away.
We offer the family our deepest sympathies. A
company representative is with them providing
assistance.
We have closed the attraction pending an
investigation. An initial review of the
attraction shows the ride was operating
normally. We have notified Orange County law
enforcement. The state Bureau of Fair Rides
Inspection has also been notified and will
observe the inspection and review of the
attraction. |
|
| Boy,
10, Injured on Roller Coaster
6.28.06 - In
Seoul, Korea at Lotte World, a
10-year-old boy was injured Tuesday when a ceiling tile
fell on his head during a roller coaster ride.
One
of the 30-centimeter square tiles on the ceiling above
the tracks of Lotte World's 'Fantasy Dream' an indoor
roller coaster built for children, fell on to the head
of the boy. The boy was immediately taken to the park's
medical room suffering small cuts and bruising to his
head. The situation could have been much worse, however,
apparently the fallen tile had protruding nails on both
sides
Back in March, a
28-year-old man was killed after falling off one of
Lotte World's roller coasters. Close circuit television
(CCTV) images revealed park operators failed to check
passengers' safety belts before the ride.
Lotte World was forced to temporarily close the park
just weeks later, when dozens of people were injured in
a stampede after park operators allowed free admission,
intended as a public apology over the roller coaster
death. Three park operators were charged by police after
the roller coaster death and stampede.
Related stories:
|
|
Boy,7, Girl, 5, Injured After Fall
From Ferris
Wheel in Ohio
6.25.06 -
Two children fell 25
to 30 feet from the Ferris wheel at Tuscora Park in New
Philadelphia, Ohio on Sunday.
The children fell out of the roof of the gondola in
which they were riding. Apparently the riding car or
gondola of the Ferris wheel locked up, tilting
upside down as the Ferris wheel moved. That sent the
girl falling about 20 feet to the ground and the boy
falling to the canvass top of the lower gondola, where
he held on and was rescued.
Both children are in fair condition at Akron Children's
Hospital.
(Photo courtesy
http://www.wtov9.com
)
Related stories:
|
|
Roller Coaster Stops Mid-Ride in Virginia; 15 Stranded
6.23.06 - Two people were
injured and 15 were stranded when the 'Volcano: The
Blast
Coaster' stopped mid-ride Friday evening at Paramount's
Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.
A park spokesperson said the roller coaster stopped
around 5:15pm eastern time.
The coaster had just
pulled away from the station when it rolled back,
leaving the passengers stranded 12 feet above ground.
A 24-year-old man from Utah received a cut above his
eye, and a 12-year-old boy from North Carolina
complained of a sore leg. According to one of the riders
they heard a loud pop and "there was stuff flying" when
the incident occurred.
It took park workers
and members of the Hanover County Fire Department more
than two hours to remove everyone in heavy rains and
lightning that drenched the area just south of the park.
Volcano: The Blast Coaster debuted in 1998, reaching
speeds of 70mph. The ride will remain closed while park officials
investigate what caused it to malfunction. |
| ASO
Attends Lompoc Flower Festival; Unsafe Issues
Observed
6.23.06 - Between the hours of 6:30pm-7:30pm, ASO
staffers visited the Lompoc Flower Festival. 3 issues
really jumped out at them:
- Exposed wires and
parts left out all over the walk way leading out of
the carnival. Apparently, the Kamikaze attraction
was non-operational, however, someone decided to
leave tools and exposed wires lying around on the walk
way.
- 2 amusement rides
had fire extinguishers missing. Either someone
decided to walk away with them to use them or
perhaps they somehow 'forgot' to put them out.
- The Graviton
attraction looked like it had just been through a
hurricane [broken light bulbs, missing light bulbs,
broken beams, etc...]. The attendant was alerted
several times due to a
wobbling of the attraction, a really odd wave type sway
about it as it moved
through it's cycle. Public concern was obvious,
whether or not this was a serious issue, it should
have been looked into. The ride operator was
notified three (3) times about this issue within a
10 min time frame, so what
did he do? He let on about 11 children during the
next ride cycle. Would have
been more, but parents were alerted regarding
the issue at hand and they subsequently pulled their
kids. In the end, the
ride operator did not speak English. It begs the
question, "How could he ensure the safety of any
rider with an issue on this ride if he does not
understand what they are saying?"
Other issues were
observed, too, but clearly Butler Amusement is aware of
them and if they are not, well...
ASO will be back to visit
this venue again on Saturday, to see if any corrections
have been made.
Related Butler Amusement
Alerts:
|
|
Butler
Amusement to Operate Carnival Rides in Santa Barbara County;
Lompoc Flower Festival June 21st-25th & Santa Barbara County
Fair July 12th-16th
6.21.06 - After the death of a
child on the 'Giant Wheel' amusement ride this past Sunday,
Butler Amusement has set up a carnival midway in Lompoc,
California, which is about 50 miles north of Amusement
Safety Organization headquarters, which are in Montecito,
California.
We have alerted officials to
past incidents with Butler Amusement, but they have ignored
our information, if they're ignoring our information, are
they ignoring your safety, too?
Here are some helpful tips
if you plan on attending the Lompoc Flower Festival:
- Never assume your
safety on an amusement ride: Perform your own
observation/inspection. Look around, is the ride
operator watching the safety of the riders or too busy
smoking a cigarette and talking to people?
- Secure yourself on
rides: Re-check
your restraints. Pull on them to ensure that they're
locked. Visually observe your restraint to see if
anything is wrong. If something is wrong, alert the ride
operator and get them to fix it, if they cannot or are
unsure of what to do, get off of the ride. Alert the
carnival operator director about the problem.
Related Butler Amusement
Alerts:
|
|
Girl, 4, Gets
Stuck on Ride at Universal - Orlando
6.19.06 - A Universal Studio
park ride will reopen Tuesday --
a day after a 4-year-old
girl was injured getting off the roller coaster.
A park spokesman says the girl, who is not being identified,
was taken to the hospital to treat cuts to her foot.
Apparently the girl's foot got stuck in between the coaster
and a platform of the 'Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster'.
Her foot was later freed, but the roller coaster was closed
for the rest of the day while Universal inspected the ride
to ensure that it was safe to re-open to the public. |
Child, 6,
Killed After Fall From Ferris Wheel
6.19.06 - A 6-year-old boy fell to his
death while riding a Ferris wheel at the San Joaquin County
Fair in Stockton.
The boy was riding alone on the 'Giant Wheel' when he got scared
and
tried to crawl out only to find himself hanging 90 feet in
the air.
The boy's family was waiting for him on
the ground when the tragedy happened. Onlookers say the boy
hung on for about a minute and then let go.
The boy was transported to the hospital where medical staff
pronounced him deceased. A Butler Amusement official said,
"We put up all signs to keep it safe."
The Giant Wheel has been closed while Stockton police and
Cal OSHA investigate. They will be looking at the ride's
safety and if any operator negligence is involved. The
operator is Butler Amusement.
Butler Amusement has carnivals
in the works for the following cities in 2006:
June 14th - 18th
Shasta District Fair
June 14th - 25th
San Joaquin County Fair
June 21st - 25th
Lompoc Valley Flower Festival
June 23rd - July 9th
Alameda County Fair
June 30th - July 4th
Marin County Fair
JULY
July 12th - 16th
Santa Barbara County Fair
July 14th - 23rd
California Rodeo Salinas
July 18th - 23rd
Merced County Fair
July 18th - 25th
Jackson County Fair
July 25th - 29th
Coos County Fair
July 27th - 29th
Bite of Salem
July 28th - August 6th
Stanislaus County Fair
AUGUST
August 4th - 6th
Santa Clara County Fair
August 4th - 13th
Clark County Fair
August 9th - 13th
Nevada County Fair
August 10th - 13th
Redwood Empire Fair
August 15th - 20th
Southwest Washington Fair
August 18th - 27th
Western Idaho Fair
August 24th - September 4th
Evergreen State Fair
August 31st - September 3rd
Lake County Fair
August 31st - September 4th
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair
SEPTEMBER
September 2nd - 9th
Eastern Idaho State Fair
September 7th - 10th
Gold County Fair
September 8th - 17th
Spokane Interstate Fair
September 14th - 17th
Lodi Grape Festival & Harvest Fair
September 20th - October 1st
Kern County Fair
September 22nd - October 1st
Central Washington State Fair
OCTOBER
October 6th - 15th
Southern California Fair
|
|
Amusement
Ride Strikes Employee in the Head
6.18.06 - At the Red River
Exhibition in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a 31 year old
man was struck by a spinning car on the new Crazy Mouse
ride, suffering a skull fracture on Saturday evening.
Witnesses says the man, an employee of North American
Midway Entertainment, had been working around the Crazy Mouse
roller-coaster when he was hit.
The ride was inspected by
provincial health and safety inspectors and re-opened on
Sunday.
The Red River Exhibition is the first Canadian appearance for
the new ride. |
|
Disney Facing Lawsuit For Death on 'Mission: Space'
Attraction
6.14.06 -
The
family of 4-year old Daudi Bamuwamye, the boy who died
on the 'Mission: Space' attraction at Epcot, announced
they were filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Walt
Disney World.
The boy died on June 13, 2005. The
family says that Disney didn't do enough to warn
visitors of the ride's hazards and that the park
shouldn't have allowed a boy as small as their son to board. They're also
questioning why paramedics did not use a portable
defibrillator, which their attorney claims, could've
helped the boy.
An autopsy later showed that the 4-year-old died from a
rare heart condition.
Related Stories:
|
|
4 Children Injured After Inflatable Ride Topples
Sending Them Into The Street
6.11.06 -
4 children in
La Mirada, California, ranging
in age from 5-8 were hospitalized Saturday after being
injured when an inflatable bounce house that they were
playing atop of toppled, sending them tumbling out onto
a street.
One of the children was knocked unconscious and
airlifted to an area hospital in critical condition. The
other three children were taken to local hospitals with
minor injuries. |
|
Child, 10, Knocked Out Cold While Riding Tornado at Six
Flags Great America
6.10.06 -
A ten-year-old girl left Six Flags Great America
Wednesday with a nearly 3-inch gash in her head and no
memory of the water ride that sent her to the hospital.
On Wednesday afternoon, the girl
was on a field trip with students from her school when
she and her friend rode the Tornado water attraction.
The girl had a concussion,
short-term memory loss and cut sutured by a plastic
surgeon.
After the accident the park closed
the ride, called the manufacturer and tested it. All of
this according to the parks spokesman.
A Six Flags Great America
spokesperson indicated, "When you are in the business of
fun, you have to have a safe product," they also said,
"Safety is a top priority."
The spokesperson also said of the
injury, ""It was really kind of a minor thing," which
begs the question, when did the Six Flags Great America
spokesperson become a doctor and begin assessing guest
injuries, too? |
|
Knott's
Berry Farm Attraction to Use Over-the-Shoulder
Restraints
6.10.06 - After having a rider fall to their death
on the Perilous Plunge attraction in 2001, Knott's Berry
Farm "fixed" the problem by installing a four point
restraint system. Unfortunately, putting on a wet four
point restraint is something that not a lot of riders
enjoyed. Also, dispatch times were sometimes upwards of
10 minutes. In other words, a lot of people were not
happy.
According to sources at Knott's
Berry Farm that is no more, the park has now in it's
possession two new boats that will utilize an
over-the-shoulder restraint system.
In 2004
at Oakwood Theme
Park in, Narberth, West Wales, a girl was
ejected from their version of the ride; 'Hydro'. The
Hydro ride was closed at Oakwood for nearly a year
following the death but it reopened after changes
recommended by the Health and Safety Executive were
made.
The ride now has over-the-shoulder harnesses instead of
lap harnesses and has a new lock system.
In 2001 a 40-year old woman was
ejected from the Perilous Plunge attraction at Knott's
Berry Farm. The woman fell more than 100 feet to her
death.
The woman fell out of her boat
during its plunge down into the chute, she was treated
at the scene and rushed to a local hospital, where she
was pronounced dead.
Related Stories:
|
|
Boy Falls Out of Amusement Ride in Louisiana
6.9.06 - A 3- to 5-year-old
boy fell from a ride called Over the Rainbow about 8
p.m. Friday. The boy suffered moderate injuries.
A woman who witnessed the incident
said that she saw the boy fall from about 30 feet and
that he landed on grass.
Apparently a park patron ran to try to catch the boy,
but could not. The patron administered CPR, reviving the
boy, who subsequently coughed up blood.
State inspectors inspected
emergency brakes, seat belts, lap belts and the ride’s
speed and did not notice any problems with the 'Over the
Rainbow' attraction. |
|
Rider Stuck on Carnival Ride in New Jersey
6.8.06 - New Jersey State ride
safety officials will be busy following some trouble at
a church carnival in South Jersey.
Thursday night, a ride got stuck up in the air with
someone in it.
The Egg Harbor Township Fire Department brought in a
ladder to help bring the rider down.
The rider was not hurt, however,
state officials will be checking the ride to ensure that
it is safe for operation. |
|
Public Sounds Off on Amusement Safety in Minnesota
5.29.06 - The public has been
contacting Amusement Safety Organization regarding a
recent accident in Minnesota. Rather than steer off the
beaten path and use it as a chance to glorify the
implementation of federal regulation, we'll share with
you some replies from the public in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and
Minnesota are saying. Would federal regulation change
anyone of these people and their thoughts? We highly
doubt it. It would, however, create unneeded national
| | | |