CPSC, Wisdom announce revised safety inspection program for Sizzlers

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.

Another inflatable ride accident; 3 children injured

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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.

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Kentucky fair ride malfunctions, 7 injured

The accident is under investigation.

Worker climbs across roller coaster track, struck by train

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.

Riders stranded on roller coaster in Hawaii

Ride operators say they shut the ride down after hearing a strange noise.

Superman Ride of Steel ready to reopen with new safety restrains

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.

Three Coleman Brothers rides fail inspection

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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Carnival worker arrested, charged with drunkenness after child falls from ride

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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Six Flags, Intamin to modify Superman Ride of Steel restraint system

"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.

Investigators: Superman victim was not secured; park workers should have turned him away

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.

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY May 1, 2004 Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA Superman Roller Coaster ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION On May 1, 2004 at approximately 1500 hours, a roller coaster accident occurred at Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts. Within one hour, park officials contacted the Massachusetts State Police of the incident pursuant to Massachusetts Regulation 520 CMR 5.00. A preliminary investigation was started by Mr. Mark F. Mooney, Assistant Chief of Inspections of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety on May 1, 2004 at 1845 hours. Mr. Thomas G. Gatzunis, Commissioner of Public Safety, assisted during the investigation... The scene was secured by Agawam Police Department, who also interviewed guests shortly after the incident. 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 traveling another 38 feet before striking a chain link fence bordering the property. At the time of this report, we do not have conclusive evidence that [the victim] did or did not suffer any loss of consciousness prior to being ejected. As the coaster came into the braking area, the ride operator and ride attendants were made aware of the incident and performed an "emergency stop" of the coaster. Some patrons jumped a chain link security fence in an attempt to assist the victim. Park emergency response officials arrived on the scene and began to provide medical assistance until an ambulance arrived... Due to the possibility of a pre-existing health condition that could have a significant influence as a contributing factor, the Department officials have requested the assistance from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in order to seek an autopsy of the victim. Complete results of the autopsy were not available at the time of this report... The hydraulic system of the "T" bar restraint was checked for proper function. The system appeared clean and free of leakage. The seatbelt system was also checked and mechanically functioned properly. Ride operational and maintenance logs were reviewed as well as the status of the Allen Bradley PLC, however, a printout of the PLC alarm log was not available at the time of the investigation. The system does not have a local printer set up, but has been requested. Based on this preliminary investigation, the Department has identified the following contributring factors: 1. Girth of the victim. The girth of the victim's lower torso was incompatible with the "T" bar restraint. Based on photographic evidence, it appears that the victim's body configuration prevented the "T" bar restraint from being in a position that would adequately protect the patron from being ejected. 2. Pre-existing medical condition. Massachusetts regulations 520 CMR 5.03(6)(e) requires patrons to notify the ride operator of any pre-existing health conditions that may negatively affect the health and safety of the patron if they were to ride an amusement device. 3. Varied seat belt sizes. The different sizes of seat belts enable people of unique size to enter the ride. This creates an opportunity for patrons, who may have a body size and type that is incompatible with the "T" bar restraint to ride the coaster, unaware of the potential hazard. 4. Failure of the ride attendant. In order for the "T" bar restraint to work properly, it is necessary that the bar be positioned firm against the patron's upper thighs. In the case where individuals with large torso girth, the lower abdomen can interfere with the proper position of the "T" bar restraint. There was a failure of the ride attendant to properly identify that the restraints were inadequately supplied. Had the ride attendant identified that the "T" bar restraint was not in a position necessary to protect the patron from ejection, the patron would have been removed from the ride. As stated earlier, due to the nature of the accident and [other factors] that could have a significant influence as a contributing factors, the Department officials requested the assistance from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in order to seek an autopsy of the victim. Complete results of autopsy were not available at the time of this report. Following the investigation, the Department officials held a post-investigatory meeting with park officials to review what were identified as contributing factors and outline the steps the park had to take before being allowed to re-open the ride to the public. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law chapter 140 section 205A, the ride shall remain closed until the operators and/or manufacturer implement a corrective action plan which is approved by Commissioner Gatzunis.

Witnesses: victim's restraints not checked; lap bar was up

Another witness told Connecticut's Vernon Enquirer that ride attendants made a last-minute change to his seating position and that of his daughter. Initially, the witness was seated directly behind the victim, in the second row of seats. However, attendants told him to move to another row of seats two cars behind him to make room for other passengers. Each of the ride's eight cars holds two rows of two seats; apparently, the rear row of seats allows more room for larger passengers. The witness moved back to a new row along with his daughter, who sat on the victim's side of the train. The witness says that he realized that his daughter's restraints were not checked physically. The witness tells the Hartford Courant: "One of the attendants casually walked by on the right side where I sat. They just kind of walked by real quick, but no one checked [the victim's] side, the left side where my daughter was sitting."

The same witness also told the Vernon Enquirer that, upon exiting the ride, he passed by the monitors which show pictures which are taken of riders at about mid-ride. When he looked up, he saw the first monitor which showed the victim in the front seat and noticed that his lap bar was "clearly up."

The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety has completed its official investigation into the accident and is expected to release its findings soon.

Man killed in fall from Intamin's Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England

One man claims that he witnessed the accident as he was waiting in line for the back seat, close to where the incoming train would enter the station. He says that he and three other individuals standing in line ran down to the area behind the braked track section where the man's body came to rest on its side against a chainlink fence. The witness says that he then noticed that the victim's left hand had been ripped off from the mid-forearm down, and it was lying 25-30 yards away. The individuals who ran to the victim -- at least three of whom were CPR certified -- checked for a pulse, but found none. They said that they also were able to see that the victim sustained a skull fracture.

According to another witness, the victim's body began to eject from his seat as the train passed over the second-to-last incline before the curve which precedes the brakes.

The ride was immediately shut down. It passed a state inspection last month and two park inspections on Saturday morning. Agawam Police, the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and Six Flags are investigating.

The victim's mother told the Hartford Courant that her son suffered from cerebral palsy, and that she believes he was "so sickly and handicapped" that she couldn't believe he was allowed to board the ride. According to Six Flags officials, the federal Americans With Disabilities Act prohibits parks from preventing disabled people from boarding an amusement ride as long as they are able to board without assistance from park personnel. Parks can deny patrons access to a ride if they do not meet height or weight requirements established by the manufacturer. In this case, the victim's height of 5 feet 3 inches and weight of 225 pounds were within the ride's design specifications and the victim boarded the ride on his own.

In an interview with the Boston Herald, 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.

After interviewing witnesses, Agawam Police say that there are no reports indicating that the victim tried to stand up or remove himself from the ride's safety restraints.

Superman Ride of Steel was manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland. It is the top-rated roller coaster in the world.

In August 2001, twenty-two people were injured on the same ride when the two roller coaster trains collided. A faulty air supply line in the ride's braking system was blamed for that accident.

In May, 1999, a rider was ejected from Intamin's Superman Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake theme park in New York. The victim, a 37-year-old man, was thrown from the ride near its end. He suffered only minor injuries. Investigators determined that the passenger restraint system was working properly, but that the man, who was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed about 400 pounds, was too big for the ride. The man later won a $4 million lawsuit against the park. The jury found that the park was negligent in its failure to properly train employees to assess a rider's potential risk for ejection.

In the wake of the Darien Lake accident, seatbelts were added to the lap bar restraint systems on all similar Intamin roller coasters.

Sunday's accident marks the fifth time since 1999 that a rider has fallen from an Intamin-made ride.

In August, 1999, a 12-year-old boy was killed when he fell from Intamin's Drop Zone Stunt Tower freefall ride at Paramount's Great America theme park in Santa Clara, California. An investigation into his death yielded no explanation as to why he fell from the ride.

In September, 2001, a 40-year-old woman died after falling out of Intamin's Perilous Plunge chute ride at Knott's Berry Farm in California, billed as the tallest and steepest water ride in the world. The woman fell more than 100 feet to her death, even though park officials say that her seat belt and lap bar "were in their correct and locked position" when her boat returned to the dock. Intamin says that the victim was too large for the ride's safety restraints and that the park's ride attendants should not have allowed her to ride. California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigated the accident and concluded that the ride's safety restraint system was flawed, and called upon the park to make modifications so that riders of all body sizes would be adequately secured.

And two weeks ago, a 16-year-old girl died after falling out of Hydro, another of Intamin's river plunge rides operating at Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire, Wales. That accident is still under investigation and the ride remains closed.

There are three Superman Ride of Steel roller coasters operating throughout the Six Flags chain. In addition to the Agawam and Darien Lake rides, a third operates at Six Flags America in Largo, Maryland. All three have been shut down and will remain closed until the investigation is complete.

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Nine people were treated at the scene for minor injuries including cuts, bruises and muscle strain. One rider sustained a cut to her forehead. In addition, six of those treated were also taken to area hospitals and were released.

The 27-year-old ride, more commonly known as Super Loops, was manufactured by Larson International of Texas. It is owned and operated by American Amusements, also known as Shamrock Shows. It passed a state inspection on April 8 and has no history of any major accidents.

New bill would prohibit minors from operating amusement rides

"For the sake of both the young employees and the park patrons, who are disproportionately children themselves, the Department of Labor should recognize that operating roller coasters and thrill rides requires split-second judgments that, if mishandled, can injure both the operator and dozens of riders. Let minors take the non-hazardous jobs in our parks -- let adults run the rides," said Markey.

Markey cited the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reports that 114 employees died while attending to amusement and recreation facilities during the 10-year period 1992-2002, and 7 of those fatalities involved children under the age of 18. During 2001, nonfatal injuries suffered by amusement ride attendants totaled 2,475, and nearly one out of every five injuries was suffered by a child employee.

"The fact is that in the past 15 years, the speed and complexity of amusement park rides has risen dramatically. All of the nation's 15 fastest coasters have been built in the last 10 years. But clearly, the margin for error is much narrower for the operator of a ride traveling at 100 mph than on a ride traveling 50 mph. People make mistakes, and the riders often act like children, because they often are children. This situation is dangerously compounded by allowing young teenagers to be put in charge of running these high-tech, high-speed machines," said Markey.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Carnival worker killed in accident

A 5-year-old boy was the sole passenger on the ride. He was not injured.

The men worked for Wade Shows of Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Last year, another Wade Shows employee was seriously injured when the Spider ride he was operating struck him in the head. He apparently walked into the path of the ride's whirling arms to throw his jacket toward a canopy at the center of the ride. When he backed away to return to his position, one of the ride's cars struck him, splitting his head open and knocking him unconscious. Wade Shows general manager Brad Cox called it "just a freakish accident."

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OSHA report faults 2 workers in latest Disneyland coaster crash

The Division [of Occupational Safety and Health] performed an inspection on the attraction known as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, located at Disneyland. This inspection was conducted on 4/5/04 and 4/6/04.

This inspection resulted from a complaint issued to the Division. During the Division inspection it was found that on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at approximately 2040 hours the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction went down for a problem with the station gates. The attraction was evacuated and cleared with no guests on the attraction. At this time the problem with the station gates was resolved, and operations began to perform its reset procedure (a procedure that does not involve guests at anytime). During this reset procedure the Tower [employee] gave an instruction to start Lift C with train #3 on the lift. As the train went over Lift C, it collided with train #5 which was occupying Brake Zone 4.

The Division has concluded that the Tower [employee] did not follow the proper procedure for resetting the attraction after an E-Stop evacuation. The Tower [employee] did not verify the position of train #5 that was occupying Brake Zone #4 prior to giving the clear to start Lift C with train #3 occupying the lift. Also the Division has found that the Lead [employee] did not fully perform her duties as the Lead and overseeing the resetting procedures.

The Division has also concluded that this incident was not a reportable accident, due to [the fact that] no guests were involved, and the owner/operator has performed its own internal investigation and prior to operating the attraction on Sunday, April 4, 2004, all [employees] were retrained.

At the conclusion of the Division inspection the following requirement was given to the owner/operator:

R1 - The owner/operator shall retrain the Tower [employee] and the Lead [employee]. These two individuals did not follow the proper procedures (a procedure that does not involve guests) to reset the attraction from and E-Stop and evacuation, at the time of the incident on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at approximately 2040 hours. This resulted in the two trains colliding. These two [employees] shall not operate the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction until this requirement has been complied with.

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Six Flags Magic Mountain employee struck by roller coaster, killed

A spokesman for Six Flags says that the woman was performing a routine safety inspection when she was struck during a test run. Investigators believe that she walked across the ride's track instead of using an exit gate. She was rushed to a local hospital where she died.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health found no problems with the ride and cleared it to reopen.

Gravitron rides banned in Florida

The accident happened Friday night at the Miami-Dade County Fair in Miami. A panel broke off the ride, ejecting three passengers at full speed. Four others were also injured. Three of the victims remain hospitalized, including one girl who remains in critical condition and another who remains in an intensive care unit. The parents of one of the victims is filing a negligence suit today against fair operator Conklin Shows, the owner of the ride, and the Miami-Dade Fair and Exposition.

Meanwhile, local police, fair inspectors and federal and state officials continue their investigation into the cause of the accident. In addition, two engineering professors from a local university and a private engineering firm are also joining the investigation.

"We need to find out what exactly went wrong and where the responsibility lies," said a spokesman for Florida's Agriculture Department, the agency responsible for the inspections and regulation of amusement rides in Florida.

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Gravitron cited ten times since 2002

According to the Miami Herald, Florida state records show the ten citations came after eight inspections since 2002.

The ride passed two separate inspections on March 17, a day before the Miami Dade Fair opened.

The ride, which operated at the fair under the name Old Blue, has been impounded. The National Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Miami Police Department are investigating.

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According to state officials, the operators failed to follow operating procedures as they rebooted the ride's computer system. Apparently, they did not clear the coaster track of trains before they initiated the procedure that restarts the ride, leaving one train sitting on the track and sending another through. The ride's anti-collision mechanism failed because the ride's computer system loses the memory of the locations of the trains when it is reset.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) has ordered the park to retrain two of the ride's operators, but says that the collision "would not have happened during the operation of the ride with passengers on it."

Witnesses in the park reported hearing a "horrifically loud metallic sounding" crash which could be heard throughout Frontierland.

Last September, one person was killed and 10 others were injured when two trains collided on the same ride. OSHA faulted the park for improper maintenance and poorly trained employees. The ride was shut down, but reopened last month after state officials were satisfied that the park had taken the appropriate measures to correct its problems.

The ride closed Saturday after the accident, but reopened on Sunday.

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Gravitron accident injures seven at Florida fair

The ride consists of an enclosed cylinder which spins at high speed, causing centrifugal force to hold riders against their seats which rise against the outer panels of the ride as speed increases. Investigators say that the accident happened when an old bolt securing one of the panels sheared, causing the panel to separate from the ride while it was running at full speed.

It is estimated that 40 to 45 riders were on board the Gravitron when the accident happened.

The ride passed two separate inspections on March 17, a day before the fair opened, however inspectors are not required to check the ride's bolts. The ride has been impounded as investigators from the state and local police begin an investigation. In the meantime, state officials are calling for all Gravitron rides to be reinspected.

Mike Rinehart, the chief investigator for the Florida Agriculture Department's bureau of fair ride inspections, says the accident is not the result of a manufacturer's defect or an operator error.

"It was a one-time thing, like wheels come off cars sometimes."

Reports indicate, however, that the accident was not a "one-time thing." On August 21, 1991, another Gravitron ride operating at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Missouri, experienced an identical malfunction. A panel separated from the ride after a pin broke. Four riders were ejected from the ride as it continued to spin, including a 12-year-old girl whose body slammed into a guardrail. In addition to serious head and shoulder injuries, she suffered permanent hearing loss in her left ear. Ten other children were injured in the accident.

In the wake of that accident, the Missouri State Fair banned the Gravitron from operation at its fairgrounds. In addition, the National Consumer Product Safety Commission called for changes to strengthen the ride design of the Gravitron.

"These changes must be made to ensure riders' safety," said CPSC Chairman Jacqueline Jones-Smith.

It is believed that those modifications had been made to the Gravitron operating in Florida.

Boy, 6, injured in fall from Ferris wheel

"The ride had stopped while people were being unloaded when the man felt his son slipping away from him ... and the child fell to the ground," a police statement said.

The boy was treated at the scene by ambulance crews before being airlifted to a hospital in Sydney.

The accident is under investigation.

Woman, 51, killed in fall from Tennessee ride

Gravitron malfunctions at Texas fair

The Gravitron consists of an enclosed cylinder which spins at high speeds, causing centrifugal force to hold riders against their seats which rise against the outer wall of the ride as speed increases.

In June 2002, another Gravitron ride malfunctioned and failed to stop for nearly 20 minutes at a carnival in Springfield, Virginia. That incident sent 6 people to the hospital and left 16 others with complaints of dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Another person fainted before the ride finally stopped.

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Disney worker killed at Magic Kingdom

Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Office say that all reports indicate the incident was accidental.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating.

Carnival ride catches fire; 3 injured

Amusements of Buffalo owner charged with manslaughter, reckless homicide in bumper car death

The victim was severely shocked on August 13, 2003 while he was waiting in line with his father to ride the Scooter, a bumper car ride owned and operated by Amusements of Buffalo. He died three weeks later as a result of his injuries.

Prosecutors say the ride was not grounded, a procedure that usually prevents electrical shocks.

Last week, indictments were brought against three others in connection with the boy's death: Ohio state inspectors Theodore Brubaker and Kalin Turner and fair worker Nick Rock. Each was charged with reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter. The inspectors were also charged with dereliction of duty.

A fifth person in the case has also been indicted, but he did not appear in court on Friday. Prosecutors may issue a warrant for his arrest.

The case marks the first time in Ohio that criminal charges have been filed as the result of an amusement ride fatality.

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Florida orders all Cliff Hanger rides shut down

The order, issued by Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, affects 17 Cliff Hanger rides in operation throughout Florida and will remain in effect until the investigation is concluded. Officials say the investigation may take up to a month.

Inspectors say that the Cliff Hanger ride operated by Wade Shows experienced a structural failure during its operation at the Florida Citrus Festival on Saturday, hurling one of its carriages 30 feet through the air. The carriage, which was carrying three children, crashed into an adjacent ride. One child, age 12, suffered a dislocated shoulder and a broken arm; another child, age 11, suffered a broken leg and a skull fracture; the third child, age 7, broke some of his teeth and received stitches in his chin.

The ride had passed its yearly inspection in October and another inspection before the fair began.

Dartron has notified other operators of its Cliff Hanger rides to reinspect them.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has joined the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, Dartron Industries and Wade Shows in the investigation of the accident.

Structural failure blamed in Cliff Hanger accident; fair bans ride

The Cliff Hanger -- a ride which carries passengers as they lie face down in carriages designed to resemble hang gliders -- malfunctioned Saturday at the Florida Citrus Festival in Winter Haven, Florida. A carriage carrying three children broke off from the ride, flew about 30 feet through the air and crashed onto the structure of a nearby bumper car ride. The children were hospitalized and treated for minor injuries and released.

Investigators say that a section of steel tubing fractured near a weld connecting the children's carriage and the ride's central support.

"It seems to indicate there is nothing we as a company could have done to prevent this incident," says Frank Zaitshik, owner of Wade Shows, the carnival company that operates the ride.

The ride had passed a state inspection before the fair opened.

In light of the accident, another fair has banned the ride from its midway. Officials speaking for the Central Florida Fair which begins in late February say that the ride will not be allowed to operate at their fairgrounds.

The Cliff Hanger is manufactured by Dartron Industries of Salem, Oregon. Dartron representatives have joined Florida state officials and Wade Shows in investigating the accident.

Carriage flies off carnival ride; 3 children injured

Firefighters from the Winter Haven Fire Department had to cut through the metal cage that surrounded the carriage to extract the girls, who were locked in. One child suffered a broken arm while the other two suffered minor injuries.

About 30 people were on the ride at the time of the accident, but no one else was injured.

The Cliff Hanger is owned and operated by Wade Shows. The company refused to comment on the accident.

State inspectors are investigating the accident.

Three face criminal charges in Ohio bumper car death

The accident happened on August 13, 2003. The victim was severely shocked while he was waiting in line with his father to ride the Scooter, a bumper car ride. According to witnesses, the boy was holding onto the rail which surrounded the ride and may also have been standing on a black electrical cord that was part of the ride. He was then shocked, calling out "Help me" as he collapsed to the ground. He never regained consciousness and died three weeks later.

Some witnesses told investigators that they had been mildly shocked at the ride earlier in the day, and one witness said she had been shocked by the same ride at the same location a year earlier.

Assistant Lake County prosecutor Vince Culotta said that the ride's electrical system was not properly grounded and that the accused failed to follow proper state codes concerning amusement ride safety.

All three men pleaded not guilty. Each of them faces up to five years in prison for each count.

Prosecutors said two more secret indictments in the case are likely to be made public next week.

The case marks the first time in Ohio that criminal charges have been filed as the result of an amusement ride fatality.

Tree falls on chairlift cable at Dreamland; 60 rescued

Woman sues Six Flags

Family sues carnival company

The 20-year-old victim, an employee of Crabtree Amusements, was electrocuted as he was preparing a Ferris wheel for the opening of the Gregg County Fair in Longview, Texas. He was working 40-50 feet off the ground behind some lights at the center of the wheel when his knee touched a power source.

The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to provide proper training to the man and failed to provide him with the proper equipment to do his job safely. It seeks up to $2 million for injuries and damages.

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There was no indication that the ride malfunctioned, and it was found to be in safe operating condition.

The boy was hospitalized and may lose a toe as a result of the mishap.

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The Ohio Department of Agriculture is investigating.

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