1 killed , 10 injured on Disney ride

[Msslaydbug]

I feel horrible for these families that were suppossed to be enjoying their vacations .....

http://msnbc.com/news/962424.asp?cp1=1

 

[Bete]

I just can't believe it. It gives me the shakes when you consider how many times you've experienced this ride at either park.

We'll have to wait for more info. I sure hope it wasn't a mechanical problem. Even if the ride is computer controlled the actual train I'm sure has maintenance, etc.

 

[sters]

That is very sad, especially on a vacation. My heart and prayers goes out to their families.

 

[lagirl]

I too am in shock! My thoughts and prayers are for those involved and their families!

 

[sanilacjack]

It is easy to take for granted life and how easily some little thing can go wrong......

-Kim

 

[Ambassador]

I'm sure it is a coincidence, but the Big Thunder Mtn ride at WDW has been closed for renovation from Aug 24-Nov24. BTM at Disney Japan closed yesterday after the tragic accident at Disneyland.

 

[donnsuz]

think about the millions of people that have been thru the gates of Disneyland and how tremendously slim the chances are of something like this happening. On the other hand, we all need to keep this in mind when we're grinching cuz a ride is shut down when WE want to go on it. Disney's safety record is tremendous. Call me crazy but I still can't wait til my next Disney trip and I love Big Thunder Mtn.

 

[swatts1]

I also feel terrible for the people that were involved and were spectators. It won't keep me from riding BTMRR because I think that they do a good job with safety and I understand that sometimes freak accidents occur.

The thing that I don't understand is why the info regarding this accident is so slow to come out. It has been 24 hours. We don't even know exactly how this man died. I've been following the news services and the LA Times and would like more information.

 

[momto2]

Our prayers too go out to anyone who has been touched by this tragedy.

I can't imagine dealing with something so awful at what should be a very happy time.

 

[cinder1]

I just read on Yahoo news that the man died of a heart attack. A 22yro man went to the hospital with several cuts on his face. The article made it sound as if this 22 yro was the next most severely injured. My understanding is that no one else's injuries were life threatening.

 

[Geoff_M]

I just read on Yahoo news that the man died of a heart attack.

There seems to be possibly contradictory information on this. Other statements indicated that the deceased had to be extricated from the ride vehicle by the responding paramedics. So it appears that he suffered some form of pretty severe physical trauma. It may be true that the trauma then triggered some sort of cardiac event.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the LP wire link that LaughingPlace posted.
It has the transcript of the press conference with Michael Eisner and Jay Rasulo (speaking for DL). This article says that earlier press reports that the man died of a heart attack or was thrown from the ride were not true.
I've also read reports that sya it is not clear whether the locomotive came off the track as the cause of the accident or the result of it, so there is a lot unknown.

 

[seashoreCM]

An accident of this kind could happen anywhere. Sometimes a mechanical problem can only be foreseen by conducting tests comparable to the taking of X-rays, on numerous parts of the ride. Minute cracks in metal parts such as what holds an engine on an airplane wing have been discovered this way before an actual part breakage occurs.

As far as I know, the locomotive is a decoration only, for the theming of the ride. It rides on the rails the same way as any of the cars. It does not contain a motor, and is probably not heavier than any of the cars when the train is fully loaded.

At one time I thought it would be nice if guests could sit in the cab of the locomotive, but there may be complications in the form of weight and balance.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[crystalb]

http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al090603a.htm