Ellen
06-29-2006, 10:05 PM
Associated Press
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A 12-year-old Kentucky boy died after riding a roller coaster Thursday at the Disney-MGM theme park, the latest in a string of tragedies that have stung Walt Disney World in recent years.
Michael Russell of Fort Campbell had ridden the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster with his parents and 7-year-old brother. As the family got off the ride, the father noticed his son was limp, said Barbara Miller, Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
The boy was pronounced dead after he taken by ambulance to Celebration Hospital at about 11:30 a.m., Disney said in a statement. No cause of death could be immediately determined. State officials say he is the ninth person to die at Disney World since 2003.
The theme park said a preliminary investigation showed the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was operating normally, but it closed the ride pending the full findings.
A Disney Web-site description of the ride says: “Zoom from 0-60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack.”
The sheriff’s office was investigating at the scene. State park safety officials were also notified.
A Disney spokesman said the company was assisting the family.
“Our deepest concerns are with the family,” Disney spokesman Jacob DiPietre said. “Disney cast members are with them providing any assistance that we can provide.”
Disney, like all large Florida theme parks, is not under direct state supervision and is not obligated by law to let state inspectors be present during accident investigations.
Disney and the other parks are exempted from most requirements of Florida’s laws regulating carnival and smaller amusement park rides.
Two people have died after going on another Disney ride: Epcot’s “Mission: Space.” The space simulator spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A 12-year-old Kentucky boy died after riding a roller coaster Thursday at the Disney-MGM theme park, the latest in a string of tragedies that have stung Walt Disney World in recent years.
Michael Russell of Fort Campbell had ridden the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster with his parents and 7-year-old brother. As the family got off the ride, the father noticed his son was limp, said Barbara Miller, Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
The boy was pronounced dead after he taken by ambulance to Celebration Hospital at about 11:30 a.m., Disney said in a statement. No cause of death could be immediately determined. State officials say he is the ninth person to die at Disney World since 2003.
The theme park said a preliminary investigation showed the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was operating normally, but it closed the ride pending the full findings.
A Disney Web-site description of the ride says: “Zoom from 0-60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack.”
The sheriff’s office was investigating at the scene. State park safety officials were also notified.
A Disney spokesman said the company was assisting the family.
“Our deepest concerns are with the family,” Disney spokesman Jacob DiPietre said. “Disney cast members are with them providing any assistance that we can provide.”
Disney, like all large Florida theme parks, is not under direct state supervision and is not obligated by law to let state inspectors be present during accident investigations.
Disney and the other parks are exempted from most requirements of Florida’s laws regulating carnival and smaller amusement park rides.
Two people have died after going on another Disney ride: Epcot’s “Mission: Space.” The space simulator spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity.