OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER BRENDA RENEAU
STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
4001 N . Lincoln Blvd. 
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5212


PRESS RELEASE


CONTACT: Trey Davis, Director of Communications
October 24, 1997
(405) 528-1500 ext. 353


REPORT IDENTIFIES CAUSE FOR FATAL ROLLER COASTER ACCIDENT


     Tulsa - The Oklahoma Department of Labor has released the Final 
Investigatory Report into the April 20, 1997, fatal Wildcat Roller Coaster
accident at Bell's Amusement Park in Tulsa. The report identifies the use 
of an inappropriately brittle material in the car's anti-rollback device 
as the cause of the accident which killed 14 year old Patrick Kurek and 
injured five others. "Bell's personnel substituted the plastic material 
used by the Wildcat's manufacturer with a plastic which is not recommended
for use in an anti-rollback device," said Oklahoma Labor Commissioner 
Brenda Reneau. "The plastic insert fabricated in Bell's maintenance shop 
shattered, rendering the anti-rollback device incapable of preventing the
accident."

     The six month investigation was conducted by the Department of 
Labor; the structural engineering firm, Zahl-Ford, Inc; and the accident 
and failure experts at EmTec. Extensive testing and examination ruled out 
several theories into probable causes for the accident. Occupant behavior 
and possible causes for premature release of the chain were eliminated 
based on testing, eyewitness testimony, and the overriding conclusion the 
accident would have been avoided had the anti-rollback device functioned 
properly.

     "A number of factors present on April 20th could have contributed to 
initiating the sequence of events which led to this tragedy," Reneau said.
"But, numerous tests only bolstered the evidence present at the time of the
accident. The car's only safety feature was dependent upon material which 
was not designed for that use."

     "Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the owner/operator of the
ride," Reneau said. "The general public may have a false sense of security
when it comes to amusement park rides. Therefore, the industry which 
charges admission to 'safely' scare its patrons must also be accountable 
for ensuring that safety. Rules and regulations are intended to fortify 
the precautions demanded of amusement park operators."

     The report identifies possible violations of the Oklahoma Amusement
Ride Safety Act. Copies of the report have been provided to Attorney 
General Drew Edmondson and Tulsa County District Attorney Bill LaFortune
for review and possible prosecution. The report also contains 
recommendations which will require action by the Oklahoma Legislature and
the Department of Labor to strengthen existing laws and rules. 

     "We took a long, hard look at our department, Reneau said. 
Unfortunately, there will always be an element of risk associated with 
this type of amusement. But, it is the very essence of danger and the 
associated adrenalin rush which makes amusement rides attractive to 
people. We hope this report and implementation of its recommendations 
will help to affect change industry-wide. Highly unregulated, the 
amusement ride industry needs to establish standards in an effort to 
ensure this tragedy doesn't occur in the future."

     This type of investigation is unique to the Department of Labor. 
It marks the first time an investigation of this magnitude has been 
conducted. Because it is not a standard practice of the Labor Department,
no format existed for agency investigators to follow.

     "We undertook extraordinary efforts to ensure thoroughness," Reneau
sald. "The process was deliberate, methodical and cautious. I'm comfortable in 
the knowledge that the report is fair and it's conclusions, accurate."