BREAKING NEWS on CNN: Monorail Accident Kills One IN WDW

[walt's assistant]

We rode in Austin's car last month. He was a very nice and professional gentleman. I'm deeply saddened by the news of his death. I still haven't decided whether I should discuss it with the kids (7 and 9). I feel so sorry for his parents. I can't imagine the grief that they must feel.

Mark, thanks for sharing.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be very reluctant to say anything to my 7 and 9 year olds. Let them have their innocence and happy memories of trip, untarnished, I'd think.

 

[Missy1961]

So very sad. My thoughts & prayers are with his family and friends.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Mark, I don't think I'd say anything to your kids. If they happen to see his picture on the news and recognize him, I'd be honest. Otherwise, I would leave it alone.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Mark, thanks for sharing.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be very reluctant to say anything to my 7 and 9 year olds. Let them have their innocence and happy memories of trip, untarnished, I'd think.

I agree.

 

[Towncrier]

From Facebook:

Austin Wuennenburg's Memorial Service will be Wednesday July 8th at 2pm at First United Methodist. Reception to follow. The family has requested no flowers but to donate to a trust that they are setting up and especially no red flowers. There will be no visitation or anything like that at the funeral home, just the memorial service. If anyone would like to donate side dishes, please call the church.

As soon as anyone has information about the trust fund that the family is setting up, please let us know (if that is ok with the DISboards rules - if not, please send me a PM).

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Mark, I don't think I'd say anything to your kids. If they happen to see his picture on the news and recognize him, I'd be honest. Otherwise, I would leave it alone.

I concur. I am glad my kids are both away at summer camp where there are no TVs, computers, newspapers, etc., especially my daughter. She was so thrilled when we got to ride in the front of Purple two weeks ago (purple is our school color and we were there for her graduation) on our way to Epcot (IMHO - the best ride in WDW is the front of the monorail on the way to Epcot). I'd like her memories to remain happy and intact.

Having her away has spared me trying to keep the news from her.

My heart just breaks for this young man's family, friends, fellow castmembers, the entire Disney organization. As guests and those who have so many of our family memories tied to the monorail, this tragedy has touched each of us so deeply, I can't even begin to imagine the pain and grief those closest to him feel.

There is no need to have our children feel this sadness as well. I am very sure, from what little I've read about Austin, it's exactly what he would have wanted.

 

[KyleRayner]

Awesome....I did what was asked

Thanks BeachGirl! I really appreciate your efforts and helping make it happen!

 

[Belle0101]

Thank you for posting this picture. I cannot help but feel so emotional while looking at this. His poor mother. The fear he must have felt knowing the monorails were going to collide. I pray for them both.

I don't want to sound morbid but there was some talk on another board about what his options were and if it happened the way folks on that board surmise it did then he didn't really have any options. That's just so awful and sickening and I can't imagine.

Then to think of his poor mother, she'd already lost her husband years ago then to wake up Sun. morning to her lamp still being on. For her I wish somebody could have been there to comfort her instead of waking up and having what must have an awful feeling.

And it sounds like he was a brilliant student. What did the world lose that he may have had some hand in contributing to? We'll never know.

All the people he touched ...

 

[cherbear]

They interviewed Austin's aunt on the local news. Austin was an only child. His father died 19 years ago. He was very close to his mother. They had a system so that, if she woke up in the night, she would know that he was home safe. She would leave a lamp on in her bedroom. When he came home, he would turn it off. When she woke up Sunday morning, the lamp was on. The aunt broke down telling this story. I broke down listening to it.

As the single mom of an 21 year old only child, I can't imagine the grief his mom is going through. My heart breaks for her.

oh my gosh, how sad! and that picture that was posted recently, was a really great pic of him...but of course made me very sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

 

[DarthKTrava]

If anyone cares, we achieved our goal and the Orlando Sentinel posted a blog about it. See link below.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/et...ail-driver-austin-wuennenberg-on-twitter.html

Awesome!!

Can someone put in a few tweets for me since I don't do Twitter?

 

[Conservative Hippie]

From Facebook:

In this time of deep loss, it is important to remember the man that Austin was, one who is and always will be cherished by everyone he touched. Please join us in a Vigil gathering in the Town of Celebration, in front of the lake, at the end of Market Street This Saturday July 11, 2009 at 9pm.

**This vigil is being organized by former and current WDW Monorail Operations cast, and is not an official WDW sanctioned event.**

If anyone is local or in town this weekend...I am going to go.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Orlando sentinel has the cutest picture up of a little 4yo boy who road with Austin 1 week ago today.

Video is posted of their monorail ride.

Article with vidoe:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-disney-monorail-austin-wuennenberg-070709,0,2265988.story

Specific vidoe link:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=02609b6d-33c0-418a-b47f-be6a3635976c&src=front

According to the article, the little boy has not been told.

What evidece of a fine Disney Cast Member.


Trying embedding--let's see if this works:
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[iluvwdw4ever]

OH MY GOSH!!!! That is soooooo sad!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

They interviewed Austin's aunt on the local news. Austin was an only child. His father died 19 years ago. He was very close to his mother. They had a system so that, if she woke up in the night, she would know that he was home safe. She would leave a lamp on in her bedroom. When he came home, he would turn it off. When she woke up Sunday morning, the lamp was on. The aunt broke down telling this story. I broke down listening to it.

As the single mom of an 21 year old only child, I can't imagine the grief his mom is going through. My heart breaks for her.

 

[RadioNate]

Orlando sentinel has the cutest picture up of a little 4yo boy who road with Austin 1 week ago today.

Video is posted of their monorail ride.

According to the article, the little boy has not been told.

What evidece of a fine Disney Cast Member.

I just watched the video

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ail-austin-wuennenberg-070709,0,2265988.story

so so heartbreakingly sad. I hope Austin's family is glad that this family shared their video and hopefully the paper will get them a copy. I know they might not be ready for it right now but I think they will want it later.

He seemed like such a great CM and person.

I looked at the FB group and saw the posts by his girlfriend. She broke my heart too. I hope people remember her when thinking of his family.

 

[Belle0101]

Just watched the video and read the article, I swore I was not going to cry. Did it anyhow.

You just never know in any given day how you are going to touch someone. I loved when he told that little boy the monorial ran on "magic". That interaction is so precious.

Nothing can ever replace Austin but I would hope that in time his mom can see, hear and read about all the people he made so happy.

 

[Towncrier]

Just watched the video and read the article, I swore I was not going to cry. Did it anyhow.

Ditto on the tears. I am at a complete loss for words to describe how I feel.

 

[disney1990]

AAAWWW The video has been removed.

 

[lucas]

AAAWWW The video has been removed.

It still works here (top link to video from previous poster):

Article with video:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,2265988.story

 

[diznygirl]

It still works here (top link to video from previous poster):

Article with video:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,2265988.story

That link didn't work for me.

Try this one:

http://www.examiner.com/x-2200-Orla...monorail-pilot-Austin-Wuennenberg-with-guests