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HAWK AMUSEMENT RIDE INCIDENT ABBREVIATED REPORT |
Brubaker pleaded no contest and was found guilty of dereliction of duty.
In July, the electrician who worked for the fair was also sentenced for his role in the accident. Nick Rock was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide for having improperly wired the ride. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 200 hours of community service. Also in July, ride owner Eugene Chaffee was sentenced to six months in jail after he pleaded guilty to attempted involuntary manslaughter. Another ride inspector, who has already pleaded no contest to a charge of dereliction of duty, is expected to be sentenced next month.
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JARO AMUSEMENTS, INC. CARLISLE, MASSACHUSETTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JARO AMUSEMENTS CRITICAL OF |
The mishap occurred in December of 2002 at Brighton Pier. Neither the operator of the roller coaster nor the passengers were aware that a 16-foot-long section of the ride's track had been removed for routine maintenance. Twelve people were allowed to board the ride. As the train of cars neared the end of the ride, where the track section was missing, the operator noticed the gap and engaged the ride's emergency stop brakes. The brakes stopped the train just in time, leaving the front car hanging off the edge of the track. The passengers were not injured.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said, "What that meant is that innocent members of the public were allowed to use a ride that was in a highly dangerous state and that is clearly unacceptable."
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCIDENT REPORT OCTOBER 28, 2004 JARO AMUSEMENTS, SHREWSBURY, MA SIZZLER AMUSEMENT ACCIDENT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
BACKGROUND |
The North Carolina Department of Labor is investigating the accident.
The woman fell from the wall at a sporting event in Columbia, Missouri, on July 14, 2003. She fell 25 feet and landed on pavement. She died at a hospital within 24 hours.
A police affidavit filed in connection with her death indicated that the woman's safety cable appeared to be rusted, and that that there was duct tape covering the point of break on the cable.
Floyd was given a suspended sentence of two years of supervised probation and 30 days in jail.
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On September 19, in Shrewsbury, Mass., a fatal incident involving a Sizzler occurred at a church-sponsored event. Two occupants of one seat were thrown from the ride when the end of the seat structure gave way. One of those victims died and the other was injured. One other person was injured on the ground.
CPSC is investigating the causes of this incident and is working with Wisdom Industries to alert state and local officials and ride owners/operators to immediately perform critical safety inspections. CPSC is asking state and local officials to locate these rides and require owners to cease operation of the Sizzlers until they complete a thorough inspection to prevent future incidents. In brief, some of the elements of the inspection program include: inspect, grade and torque the four (4) internal frame bolts; inspect foottub hinge bolts for proper grade and all metal locknuts installed; inspect internal frame welds.
These new safety inspection guidelines are being sent to all owners of Sizzler and Deluxe Sizzler rides, state inspectors and amusement ride insurers. CPSC recommends that owners not allow Sizzlers and Deluxe Sizzlers to operate until they have met the requirements of the new inspection program.
CLICK HERE TO SEE RELATED STORIES |
The operator of the ride claims that the marquee was properly secured. The ride was reopened after inspectors deemed it safe for operation.
The accident is under investigation.
The accident is under investigation.
The accident happened on March 14. A 51-year-old woman fell 60 feet from her seat on a ride called the Hawk when her safety harness flung open. Investigators say that a safety system had been bypassed. The system is designed to detect whether all of the riders' harnesses are properly locked. If the system detects a problem, it prevents the ride from starting.
''This is more than just carelessness or someone not tightening a bolt,'' says R. Price Nimmo, the attorney representing the family of the victim. He is planning to file a civil lawsuit on behalf of the victim's family in the near future.
Martin faces 15 to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Massachusetts grand jury to investigate Sizzler fatality - WCVB News, October 21, 2004 Wild ups, downs in Mass. carnival ride inspection- Boston Herald, October 12, 2004 Union: plan to add 18 inspectors greatly inadequate - Boston Herald, October 8, 2004 Inspectors union head: training, staff needed - Boston Herald, October 7, 2004 Legislature sets hearing on carnival ride inspections - Boston Herald, October 1, 2004 State withholds report as investigation continues - Boston Herald, September 30, 2004 Fatal rides linked to slipshod inspections - Boston Globe, September 28, 2004 |
The state's six amusement ride inspectors will make up the new task force. They will inspect each carnival ride in the state as well as each ride's maintenance logs before the end of the year. In addition, they will begin a new system of marking the rides with stickers indicating that the ride passed an inspection within the last year.
The work of the task force has already begun.
The new system of inspections will not require that all of a ride's parts be inspected. Rather, state inspectors will examine only the parts of rides that are directly related to the assembly and disassembly of carnival rides as they are transported to different locations. The inspection of other parts, such as the bolts involved in Sunday's accident, is not the responsibility of state inspectors. Instead, that responsibility lies with the ride's insurer, which is required to perform a thorough inspection annually.
The Sizzler was inspected in March by its insurer, a company called Allied Specialty Insurance, however investigators have not yet determined whether the faulty seat bolts were installed before or after that inspection.
Initially, it was reported that the ride had passed a state inspection in July, however records show that the ride had not been inspected by the state since its owner purchased it in 2002. Regardless, the state inspection of the ride would not have included a check of the seat bolts.
On Wednesday, a 39-year-old man fell as he was attempting to board the ride in the front row of seats. He fell off the loading platform and struck his head on the ride's steel track four feet below. He suffered from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. He underwent surgery at a hospital, but later died as a result of complications made worse by a pre-existing liver disease.
Officials have not yet determined how the man was able to fall onto the ride's track. A park spokesman said that he "misstepped." The medical examiner ruled the death accidental, based on a park report and a statement from the man's wife, who did not witness the incident. Universal Studios is conducting its own investigation into what happened, however the results of that investigation will be kept secret.
Universal Studios says that the ride did not malfunction. Park officials will investigate.
"We have shut them down across the state." |
- Massachusetts Public Safety Commissioner Tom Gatzunis |
A 38-year-old man was killed and a 48-year-old man was seriously injured when their car broke apart, ejected them and hurled
them to the ground. One of them was subsequently struck by another of the ride's whirling cars. A woman who was standing by
the ride suffered minor injuries when she was hit with debris.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety has suspended permits for all 11 Sizzler amusement rides operating
in the state, pending notification from the rides' owners that they have performed a complete re-inspection of their
Sizzler units.
"We have shut them down across the state," said Massachusetts Public Safety Commissioner Tom Gatzunis.
The state-ordered inspection must include a thorough check of all the bolts, which means that owners must remove the
fiberglass seat and side panel from each car.
In 1994, Wisdom Industries, the company that manufactures Sizzler rides, released a safety bulletin addressing the
maintenance and inspection of the rides, in particular, their seat mounting bolts, requiring owners to inspect them on a
regular basis.
The Sizzler involved in Sunday's accident was manufactured by Wisdom in 1980. The ride's owner, Jaro Amusements of
Carlisle, Mass., bought the ride used in 2002.
Gatzunis says that the ride passed a state inspection in July, but that state inspections do not include a check of the bolts.
State inspectors do not check the condition and maintenance of rides, but only how rides are set up, to ensure stability and
safe clearances. The rest is left up to insurance companies -- in this case, a company called Allied Specialty. According to
Gatzunis, insurers inspect rides once a year, at the start of the season.
Jaro Amusements has been in business for over 30 years, previously known as Jaro Foods. Keough started as a concessionaire
selling foods at various fairs and festivals. Keough has been involved in the amusement industry for over 40 years.
"Jack Keough is a very active member in the amusement industry. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for New
England Association of Amusement and Attractions, a 91 year old amusement industry trade organization based in New
England. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Outdoor Amusement Industry Association and serves on their
Safety Committee.
"Jack’s involvement with the industry does not stop there. He is also a member of the F24 committee on Amusement Rides
and Devices for the American Society for Testing and Materials, (ASTM), the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety
Officials (NAARSO) as well as a member of the International Association of Fairs & Exhibitions and the Showmen’s League
of America.
"Also here at home in the Commonwealth, Jack Keough is a member of the Amusement Ride Advisory Board for the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In fact, Jaro Amusements is a link on the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety’s
website, " Ramsay stated.
Jaro Amusements owns 16 rides and operates seasonally here in New England from April through October each year. Jaro
Amusements acquired the Sizzler ride in 2002 from a carnival in the Midwest.
Each year, Jaro Amusement’s rides are inspected by its insurance company. In addition, the ride has been inspected by
officials in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and State Of New Hampshire.
The ride previously operated at the end of July in Massachusetts at a fund-raising festival. The ride has been racked on its trailer
in the interim until it was set up a few days prior to the opening of the event in Shrewsbury.
"All ride operators that are employed with Jaro Amusements receive training by the company. The employees are trained by a
staff person on the ride covering all aspects of the rides operation and important operational and safety information as required
by the manufacturer. In addition, the trainer stays with the employee to ensure that the training has been completed and does
follow-up checks with the employee. The ride operator who was operating the ride that day had been trained in a similar
fashion," Ramsay stated.
Informational Signage including ride rules and regulations as required by the manufacturer was posted at the ride entrance, as
it is at every ride.
Jaro Amusements expects that there will be a lengthy in depth investigation into this incident. Jaro Amusements has been
contacted by the CPSC and is scheduling an appointment for officials from that agency to inspect the ride. We will be cooperating
with them at all times to ensure they have access to all the information they need.
Witnesses say the two men fell out of their car when the outer side of their seat broke off. One of them was then struck by
another of the ride's cars as he attempted to get away from the ride.
The ride is owned and operated by Jaro Amusements of Carlisle, Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, the Worcester district attorney's office, and local police are investigating the
accident. The National Consumer Product Safety Commission is also expected to investigate.
Rep. Markey is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and the author
of the National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act, a bill to improve the oversight of amusement park rides throughout the United
States.
Ontario's Labour Ministry is investigating.
Sizzler ride improperly bolted, say investigators
(Monday, September 20, 2004) - According to Massachusetts state investigators, the car that broke apart on a Sizzler ride at
a carnival yesterday was incorrectly bolted together. Upon their examination of the debris from the victims' seat, investigators
found that one of the bolts was the wrong size and another did not meet the specifications of the ride's manufacturer.
Statement of Jaro Amusements, Carlisle, MA
September 21, 2004
According to Jaro Amusements Spokesperson, Alan E. Ramsay of CLM Entertainment spoke with Jaro Amusements President
Jack Keough today. On Sunday, September 19, 2004 a 38 year old man was killed and a 48 year old man was injured on the
Sizzler Ride operated by Jaro Amusements while it was operating at St. Mary’s Parish Family Festival in Shrewsbury,
Massachusetts. This was the 4th time that Jaro Amusements had played the festival. Ramsay stated that Jaro Amusements
President Jack Keough offers his deepest condolences to the victims, their families and friends.
Sizzler breaks apart at Massachusetts carnival; 1 killed
(Sunday, September 19, 2004) - At a church carnival in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, one man was killed and another was
critically injured when parts of a Sizzler ride broke apart. A third person suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Statement of Mass. Rep. Edward Markey:
"For the sake of the riders who have been injured and for the children who may ride this or similar rides in the future, this accident
should be investigated thoroughly. I am asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which has jurisdiction over
carnival rides, to assist the state in getting to the bottom of this tragedy as soon as possible.
"Statistics gathered by the CPSC suggest that more accidents occur on whirling, spinning rides than any other type except
roller coasters. While many amusement park ride accidents are blamed on rider error, initial reports in this case suggest some
catastrophic mechanical failure.
"Hundreds of rides just like this one operate throughout the United States every day. We must find out why these machines
flew apart so that the manufacturers and/of the operators make sure this never happens again."
Fair worker struck by roller coaster
(Friday, September 17, 2004) - At the Western Fair in Ontario, Canada, a ride operator was hospitalized after a roller coaster car
struck him. The accident happened on the Zyklon roller coaster.
Ride malfunction injures 24 at Canadian National Exhibition
(Monday, September 6, 2004) - At the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, 24 people suffered minor injuries when a ride
called G-Force malfunctioned.
The ride consists of a circular spinning gondola that is lifted about 20 feet into the air where it is then turned upside down as it spins. Witnesses say they watched as the ride seemed to jam and stop suddenly as it lifted riders into the air. The ride then dropped 12-15 feet. Reports indicate that parts of the ride platform came apart and the wooden stairs leading to the ride were crushed.
The victims were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries such as sore backs and necks.
The ride is owned by Conklin Shows. It was closed for repairs on Saturday, however it passed an inspection on Sunday. Investigators have not determined whether Saturday's maintenance issue is related to the accident.
RELATED STORIES -- CONKLIN SHOWS:
Police have ordered the ride closed while state inspectors are expected to investigate.
The ride is owned and operated by Ray Cammack Shows.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.
Disneyland officials agree with the findings of the report and have complied with a state order to retrain the operator and correct the software problem.
Greg Hale, the chief safety officer of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, says that Disney remains at the "forefront of ride safety."
CLICK HERE TO SEE RELATED STORIES |
The ride, operated by Cumberland Valley Shows, consists of a circular gondola which seats 24 passengers. The gondola rotates at 15 rpm, and is attached to a swinging arm which swings to an angle of 120 degees at heights of up to 60 feet. It has been shut down as state inspectors and police investigate.
Last Friday, another carnival worker was killed as he was working to set up a ride at a fairground in Belmont, New Hampshire. Investigators are blaming a frayed power cord for his death.
Firefighters were called to the scene where they used special cutting and lifting devices to free the man, who had been trapped for about 45 minutes. Reports indicate the man suffered a heart attack at some point during his ordeal.
The 30-year-old ride will remain closed while the Health and Safety Executive investigates.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
The girls were taken to local hospitals where three of them were treated and relased and the other -- a 12-year-old girl who was at the park celebrating her birthday -- was hospitalized in fair condition.
The ride passed a state inspection in June. Nebraska safety officials are investigating.
A park spokeswoman told reporters, "We want to keep our track record going and definitely prevent anything like this from happening in the future."
In November, 1988, a 17-year-old girl was killed when a similar ride broke apart at Florida's Broward County Fair. The arm carrying the victim's car snapped and, during its 10-foot fall to the ground, an adjacent arm, which was still whirling, crashed into the victim's car. The victim was struck in the back of the head. Six other riders were injured.
In February, 1997, an 11-year-old girl was killed and two other people were seriously injured when an arm broke off an Octopus ride at the Rylstone fairgrounds near Mudgee, Australia. Investigators found that a bearing cap had cracked, causing the ride to collapse.
In September, 1998, seven people were injured at the Lee County Fair in Sanford, North Carolina, when a Spider ride arm broke off and crashed to the ground. The ride had passed a state inspection just five days earlier.
In October, 2003, four people were injured after a support arm fell off a ride called the Giant Octopus at Dream World amusement park in Pathum Thani, Thailand. The arm was carrying four 2-passenger cars. Three of the injured riders were hospitalized and the other was treated and released.
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No criminal charges will be filed.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating.
The man was an employee of Fanelli Amusements.
Police say that a gust of wind lifted the ride and tipped it upside down.
The chairwoman of the fair refused to release the name of the ride's owner, who had packed up the ride and left the site within an hour of the accident.
CLICK HERE TO SEE RELATED STORIES |
The ride, operated by Rainbow Amusement, passed an inspection before the carnival opened on Thursday. It has been shut down while police are investigating.
According to witnesses, two ride attendants were in the process of securing the girls into their seats when the third attendant released the carriage.
The ride has been closed pending an investigation. Three park employees face charges of negligent manslaughter.
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Police are investigating.
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The ride broke apart at the Miami-Dade County Fair on April 3. Three riders were flung out of the ride and were seriously injured. Four other people suffered minor injuries.
An engineer was hired by the department's Fair Rides Bureau to investigate the accident. He concluded that poor maintenance of the ride had led to extensive cracks in the frame, causing the accident.
ITRS was hired by Conklin Shows, the fair's carnival operator.
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WADE SHOWS:
The man was a camp counselor and was at the park on an outing with a group of 350 people. He was reportedly a good swimmer.
|
Cedar Point shuts down coaster after riders hurt |
- Toledo Blade, July 14, 2004 |
Cedar Point roller coaster riders upset after incident |
- WLKY News, July 14, 2004 |
The injured were left with cuts and minor injuries. Some riders also complained of minor burns caused by an oily substance.
The injured riders were treated at the park's first aid station, and two of them sought further medical attention at a hospital.
The ride has been shut down indefinitely.
Top Thrill Dragster is the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster. It was designed and manufactured by Intamin of Switzerland.
Last week, an electrician who worked for the fair was also sentenced for his role in the accident. Nick Rock had been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide for having improperly wired the ride. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 200 hours of community service.
The case marks the first time in Ohio that an amusement ride fatality led to criminal charges.
Ohio state inspectors Theodore Brubaker and Kalin Turner face charges of reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and dereliction of duty in connection with the boy's death. Their case is expected to go to trial within months.
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The Wind Shear is owned and operated by Midwest Midways. The ride has been ordered closed until it passes another state inspection.
Disney World had rigorous safety inspections even before accident |
- The Orlando Sentinel, September 12, 2003 |
Three people suffered minor neck and back injuries when the trains collided at the loading station. They were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released hours later.
The collision was the ride's third since September.
Initially, park offiicials were planning to reopen the ride late Thursday evening, however state officials have yet to determine the cause of the accident. They say that the park may not reopen the ride until the investigation is complete, even if it should take several months.
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A Disneyland spokesman explained, "We had a bump of two coasters on Big Thunder. They were coming in at the loading station at a slow speed."
Police say that the accident was "not serious enough to warrant a police investigation," however the ride was shut down and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) is expected to investigate.
Thursday's accident is the third time since September that trains have collided on the ride. Last September, a collision killed one person and injured 10 others. OSHA faulted the park for improper maintenance and poorly trained employees. In April, two unoccupied trains collided as ride operators restarted the ride. OSHA faulted the ride operators for failing to follow operating procedures when they rebooted the ride's computer system. OSHA ordered the park to retrain the operators.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a runaway mine train-style steel roller coaster. It opened in 1979.
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The case marks the first time in Ohio that an amusement ride fatality led to criminal charges.
Two Ohio state inspectors will also stand trial for charges of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the accident. The owner of the ride has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted involuntary manslaughter and is expected to be sentenced later this summer.
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The fatality is the park's first.
Park officials say they are pleased with the rescue operation. No one was injured.
The ride did not malfunction, however it was shut down to allow for an investigation.
None of the passengers was injured.
A preliminary investigation by the South Brunswick Fire Safety Bureau found that the operators of the ride -- AA Mabrouk Entertainment of Oakhurst, New Jersey -- did not obtain a permit to operate the ride from the state Division of Fire Safety; that the operators did not have a license to operate the ride as required by the state Division of Community Affairs; that ride attendants were unaware that the maximum load for the ride was only two children; that the ride was not properly anchored to the ground; that the ride was improperly powered by extension cords; and that the ride was operated by persons with insufficient guidance about safety issues.
New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, local police and fire safety officials are investigating.
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The ride is operated by Ray Cammack Shows of Laveen, Arizona.
The ride opened this spring as one of the park's newest attractions.
Friday's plea to the lesser charge of attempted involuntary manslaughter comes three days after a jury convicted a fair worker for failing to properly ground the ride. Nick Rock, an electrician who worked for the Lake County Fair, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide.
Both Rock and Chaffee will be sentenced next month.
Ohio state inspectors Theodore Brubaker and Kalin Turner are also facing charges of reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and dereliction of duty in connection with the boy's death. Their case is expected to go to trial within months.
The case marks the first time in Ohio that an amusement ride fatality led to criminal charges.
The Lake County Fair Board has hired Amusements of America as its new operator for this year's fair (IN THE NEWS: Amusements of America operator to plead guilty to obstruction -- JUNE 3, 2004).
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On April 2, 2004, at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition in Florida, a wall panel of the Gravitron ride gave way, ejecting three riders. Seven people were injured, including two bystanders who were hit by debris. Injuries included broken bones, concussions, and bruises. A 16-year-old girl ejected from the ride was critically injured.
CPSC's investigation of this incident and its work with the ride manufacturer, Wisdom Industries Ltd., resulted in a revised safety
inspection program to prevent future incidents. In brief, some of the elements of the inspection program include:
These new safety guidelines have been sent to all owners of Gravitron rides, state inspectors and amusement ride insurers to help improve maintenance of the rides.
CPSC and Wisdom Industries announced a modification program to improve the safety of the Gravitron rides in 1992. That program included the installation of corner pin reinforcement plates, which were in place on the ride involved in the recent incident. The revised safety inspection program should be performed in addition to the previous modification program.
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The victim, an 8-year-old boy, was severely shocked on August 13, 2003 while he was waiting in line with his father to ride the Scooter -- the bumper car ride owned and operated by Amusements of Buffalo. He died three weeks later as a result of his injuries. Other people also claimed to have been shocked while they were on the ride.
Prosecutors argued that Rock failed to connect a green grounding wire that several electrical experts said would have prevented the shocks. Rock testified that he believed that the ride was grounded elsewhere and that no one told him to connect the grounding wire.
Rock is scheduled to be sentenced in August. He faces up to five years in prison.
Assistant County Prosecutor Karen Kowall told reporters, "This case should serve as a wake-up call to amusement park owners that they have a greater responsibility than selling tickets and setting up rides."
"Hopefully it will have a ripple effect in improving safety standards."
The case marks the first time in Ohio that an amusement ride fatality led to criminal charges.
Ohio state inspectors Theodore Brubaker and Kalin Turner and ride owner Eugene Chaffee are also facing charges of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter. The inspectors are also charged with dereliction of duty.
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Fair ride investigation under way |
- BBC News, June 7, 2004 |
The scene was described as "mass panic." One witness told London's Sun Newspaper: "The ride collapsed like a deck of cards. Kids were flung into the air from the carriages and the air was filled with screams."
The newspaper ran pictures of bloodied riders being treated by paramedics.
The ride is owned by John Manning & Son Fun Fair Amusements.
The Health and Safety Executive has begun an investigation.
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The accident is under investigation.
The Mind Scrambler will undergo safety modifications before it reopens, including the addition of seat belts to each of its cars. The park will also assign an additional ride attendant to operate and monitor the ride from a second station within the ride area. In addition, changes will be made to the lighting in the dome-like enclosure in which the ride operates, giving ride attendants a better view of the ride area and the ability to see potential hazards posed by riders' behaviors.
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OPINION:
"Each time a young child is killed or maimed by a standard-compliant thrill ride, the industry whips up its personal responsibility
rhetoric to shift the focus away from the ride's inadequate restraint design." - Kathy Fackler, Saferparks, May 28, 2004
Intamin's T-shaped safety restraint bar -- used on both California rides -- was recently banned by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety after an investigation into a fatality involving Intamin's Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England theme park in Agawam, Massachusetts. In addition, a similar restraint device was deemed "clearly inadequate" by California safety officials in 2001 after their own investigation into a fatality involving Knott's Berry Farm's "Perilous Plunge," an Intamin-made water chute ride. Another Intamin ride is the subject of an ongoing investigation in Wales after a 16-year-old girl suffered a fatal fall from another chute ride called Hydro in April.
A spokesman for the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health says that the parks were asked to keep the rides closed until safety modifications can be made. The action marks the first time that California officials have asked parks to close a ride in response to out-of-state incidents, and the first time the state has ordered changes on rides which have not been involved in accidents.
Officials at Knott's and Magic Mountain say that they will follow the state's recommendations. They say they are unsure as to how long the process will take.
Intamin's Superman Ride of Steel roller coasters at Six Flags New England, Six Flags America in Largo, Maryland, and Six Flags Darien Lake in New York reopened last weekend after the parks modified those rides' safety restraint systems in accordance with the findings of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. Those modifications took about one month to complete.
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Investigators say that the area in which the man was struck is a restricted area open only to maintenance workers when the ride is closed, and that the man had jumped over a safety barrier and crossed the track in violation of the park's safety policy. It is believed that the man may have been rushing to a bathroom.
Health and Safety Executive inspectors are investigating.
Ride operators say they shut the ride down after hearing a strange noise.
The new system includes several modifications. All of the ride's seat belts, which had been black, are now orange, and they are all of the same size. Previously, seat belts in the front row of each car had an extra 11 inches to adjust compared to the seats in the second row due to the fact that they were secured at different locations. In addition, the lap bar, which attaches to the floor of each car, includes small horizontal bars which rest against riders' shins for extra security, and vertical bars which run along the outer sides of riders' legs.
Six Flags also says that a "size check" gauge will require the lap bar to be closed to a minimum closure point. If the bar can't reach that point because of a rider's size, then the passenger won't be allowed on the ride.
The park expects that many large people who were able to ride the roller coaster with its old restraint design may now be unable to ride, but says that safety is the top priority.
Six Flags is training its employees in the proper operation of the new restraint system and expects that the ride will reopen this weekend. The same modifications have been made to the Superman Ride of Steel roller coasters at Six Flags parks in New York and Maryland. Those roller coasters are also expected to open this weekend.
Six Flags would not comment on the cost of the new modifications.
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The accident is under investigation.
The Mind Scrambler is also known as the Scrambler.
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Last weekend, there were two separate incidents with Coleman Brothers rides at a carnival in Manchester, Connecticut. On Friday, a wheel fell off a ride called the Ring of Fire, and on Saturday, police arrested a ride operator for drunkenness after a 3-year-old boy fell from the company's Yo-Yo ride. Investigators say the child unlatched a safety bar, but that the ride operator -- who faces charges of reckless endangerment -- should not have let the child board the ride. In addition, an inspection of the Yo-Yo revealed that several seats were cracked or fatigued. The company was ordered to replace all of the ride's seats.
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Police say that ride's 34-year-old operator was drunk and refused to cooperate with investigating officers. Police are charging him with reckless endangerment in the first and second degrees, risk of injury to a minor and interfering with police. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Connecticut's WFSB News reports that the man -- an employee of Coleman Brothers Shows of Middletown -- was a convicted felon who had 12 prior arrests dating back to 1988.
The accident was the second at the weekend carnival. On Friday, a wheel fell off a ride called the Ring of Fire. No one was injured.
The Yo-Yo features swings which rotate about a central column that lifts and tilts. It was ordered closed by state inspectors after they found cracks on the seats. Investigators say that the child's fall was not related to a mechanical problem, but that the three-year-old should not have been allowed on the ride. According to the ride's manufacturer, riders must be at least 42 inches to board the ride. Reports indicate that there were no signs posted at the ride informing riders of height requirements.
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The accident is under investigation.
The ride was rented from a company called Club Pneuma.
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"A thorough investigation of this ride has been collectively conducted by park staff, Six Flags safety engineers and safety experts, independent safety engineers, the ride manufacturer as well as the Department of Public Safety and the Agawam Police Department," said the park's general manager, Ron Sevart.
"We have decided to modify the restraint system on this coaster to address concerns identified by the Department of Public Safety."
The same modifications will be made to the Superman Ride of Steel roller coasters at two other Six Flags parks: Six Flags America in Largo, Maryland and Six Flags Darien Lake in Buffalo, New York.
"We believe that the current restraint configuration was the primary factor in Saturday's tragic accident," Sevart said.
"We are making several modifications to address those concerns including: the length of the ride-manufacturer-supplied seatbelts in the first row of each coach will be shortened to conform with all other seatbelts in the coaster. By shortening these seatbelts, those guests who may be too large to be safely accommodated by the restraint system will not be able to ride.
We are also continuing to examine other modifications to the primary restraint system to further increase guest safety. We are currently condusting the engineering to modify the lapbar to fit more securely and restrict those individuals who may be too large to be safely accommodated by the existing restraint system. We also are looking into extending the seat bottoms forward to improve rider position and further enhance the effectiveness of the restraints. By extending the seat bottom, we will help ensure riders maintain the proper position for the duration of the ride cycle." Six Flags is also in the process of reviewing all operating procedures for the Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster.
"We are committed to making all necessary modifications to our Superman coaster to continue our pledge to delivering a safe and fun experience for all of our guests."
Sevart also assured the victim's family that the thoughts and prayers of Six Flags New England employees are with them.
The victim rode a scooter to the boarding platform and witnesses say that the ride's attendants assisted him to his seat. Six Flags says that ride attendants are not allowed to assist passengers who are boarding the ride.
While investigators found "no apparent mechanical defects," it says that Six Flags workers should have denied the victim access to the ride because his large girth prevented his lap bar restraint from fitting firmly against his thighs. The victim was 5-foot-2 and weighed about 230 pounds.
"Had the ride attendant identified that the 'T' bar lap restraint was not in a position necessary to protect the patron from ejection, the patron would have been removed from the ride,'' the report says.
The victim's brother claimed that ride attendants turned the victim away when he attempted to board the same roller coaster during a visit to the park last year.
The report says that the man's left hand was severed before he plunged 31 feet to the ground.
State officials say that, in the wake of Saturday's accident, the use of T-bars as a primary restraint will now be banned. There are no other rides operating in the state of Massachusetts which are affected. Before the state will certify the ride and allow it to reopen, Six Flags must replace the T-bar restraint with a new device, or acquire a state-approved fix from the manufacturer.
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May 1, 2004 Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA Superman Roller Coaster ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION Upon investigation, it appears that the victim arrived at the Superman coaster ride on a scooter/mobile chair. Several ride attendants were aware of [the victim] and his scooter/mobile chair and made accommodations to allow him to park his scooter where he then walked to the front seat of the coaster. Based on witness testimony, it appears that the victim was guided to his seat by a ride attendant and entered the ride by himself. The ride attendant was "going to sit him in the 2nd or 3rd car," however due to his larger size, the attendant sat him in the front seat because "those cars have a larger seatbelt so he would not have any problems buckling." It was observed, after the accident, that the [victim's] seat belt was still connected and latched. The position of the latching mechanism was pulled between the seat and the side restraint. The ride photo taken by an automatic camera on the coaster 10 to 20 seconds prior to the accident demonstrated that the seat belt was secured around [the victim]... Upon his ejection from the seat, his foot caught the seatbelt and pulled the belt into the final position. [The victim's] sock was also tangled with the seatbelt. One shoe was still in the car at the time of the investigation. This could have been knocked off by the lap restraint or the seat belt upon ejection. The second shoe was found on the ground near the point of ejection. According to witness statements, during boarding, a second patron was asked to move from his original seat to the seat in the 1st row next to the victim. This was also "because he was larger and could not fit into his seat belt," "standard procedure." It should be noted that measurements taken by Department of Public Safety Inspectors indicated that the front row of each car seat belts had eleven (11) extra inches to adjust compared to the seats in the second row because they are secured at different locations. Since [the witness] had already attempted to pull the "T" bar lap restraint forward, to move, the operator had to release the restraints from all passengers. Once [the witness] was in his new seat, the park procedure required ride attendants to check all the passengers' seat belts and "T" bar restraints. The ride operator as well as several patrons provided statements as such, however, there were some statements that indicated that the seatbelts were not pulled tight enough or the "T" bar lap restraints did not get pushed against the patrons firm enough... Once the ride attendants did their checks, they signaled to the operator "all clear." The operator then started the ride and the coaster left the station. As the ride was underway, the patron behind the victim saw that [the victim] was “getting air” on some of the hills and grabbed his suspenders in an attempt to keep him in his seat. [The patron] indicated that [the victim] was leaning forward in the seat the entire duration of the ride. On approaching the final bunny hills, [the patron] noticed that [the victim] was coming out of his seat high enough to take notice. At the last bunny hill approaching the last turn, [the victim] "came up too much" and he began to fall out of the left side. [Two witnesses] attempted to hold onto [the victim] as the ride came into the last turn, however the forces applied on [the victim’s] body were too great for them to hold on and his body was quickly thrown from the ride. The maximum peak instantaneous negative value in that section of the ride was -0.4 G, and the maximum peak instantaneous positive value in that section of the ride was +2.9 G according to ride accelerometer data. As [the victim] came out of his seat, the ride track begins to turn, which caused his body to move out of the car. As the coaster comes down the last bunny hill, the design of the track causes the coaster to pitch into the turn. At the point when [the victim] was exiting the coaster, and the coaster began to bank into the turn, his left hand landed on the left track of the coaster and the rear wheels of the 1st car struck his arm at his wrist, severing his hand. It should be noted that it is not physically possible for a hand to come into contact with the coaster wheels when a person is properly secured in the seat restraints. The severed hand struck a cross members on the coaster track before flying free of the track, landing 25 feet from the point of separation. Once the victim was clear of the coaster, his head and upper torso struck the #6 support column and he then traveled 31 feet before striking the ground and traveli |