Death at DW today

[chipscinderelly]

Disney does have defibulators, I beleive they are listed on the park maps

 

[AllyCatTapia]

"If I were a mother, I would most certainly be skeptical. But to be reasonable for my children (in case they did want to go on once we got there), I would have very detailed physicals and maybe if I were really paranoid, specific testing done before we went"


Well I *am* a mother, and if you did that, your pediatrician would look at you like you're nuts. "I KNOW we just had a physical at his one eyar appointment, but I'm going to DISNEY world and want another one" . . . "Please run every random heart and BP test on my kids that you have available" Yeah.Uh huh, that's gonna happen.

Not to mention, even the best of the best insurance won't cover tests ran solely for mothers paranoia, so don't count on have any $$$ left over for disney.

 

[vital]

My heart sank when I heard about this at work. I was on the RNR Saturday having the time of my life! My DS6 rode it with me last Tuesday. I had my hand on his leg the whole time to give him some comfort. He loved the ride but didn't want to do it again. I can't imagine looking over and seeing him slumped over after such an adrenaline rush. That poor family's adrenaline was already pumping and to have to go through that must be torture! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

One must also note that if it was truly a medical condition, it could've eventually happened anywhere; soccer field, airplane, etc.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I don't think it's a case of these incidents being more common at Disney, it's just that when it does happen at Disney, everyone knows about it. Like someone else said, in MA the one you always hear about is Six Flags. Out here it's Valley Faire (where a coaster derailed a couple of months ago) or MOA. Accidents and medical deaths are unfortunately just a part of the amusement park business.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know, last year my dd, then 11, was having fainting spells. No one could say, for sure, what was causing them. So, her pedi recommended she go in for cardiac testing. Most of it was pretty easy to handle but some was uncomfortable and some scary for dd. Not to mention the cost that was our share to pay....however, now I'm feeling that it was a good thing to have done. She came out of it with a clean bill of cardiac health. Seems she just is one of those tall, really skinny preteens that are predisposed to fainting. She hasn't fainted in about 10 months, so all is well. At least I know that she can handle the rides at WDW.
I feel so badly for that poor family. I can't begin to imagine the pain they are in. I'm relatively sure that this isn't a case of negligence on Disney's part, or that the ride itself is/was the cause. It is probably another case of something that wasn't detected in that poor child. I only wish we didn't have to wait for an autopsy to be done before we know that our beloved child may have a life threatening issue that was hidden from everyday, routine view. So sad.

 

[Miranda Danda]

One must also note that if it was truly a medical condition, it could've eventually happened anywhere; soccer field, airplane, etc.

Good point.

 

[ChrisFL]

It's natural to overreact when something like this happens, but in actuality, theme park rides are still hundreds of times safer than driving, flying or anything you do to get TO the theme parks.

Unfortunately there's an occasional situation like this. People also die playing basketball but that doesn't mean everyone should stop playing them.

Overall, RnRC is tame compared to most big coasters these days, but there's reasons why there are warning signs posted for these attractions, even Disney attractions may not be suited for everyone.

It is just sad that the odds are the family didn't know about a condition before it's too late.

 

[NotUrsula]

To give EMS credit, according to the Sentinel the 911 call was placed at 11:21am, and the EMT's arrived at 11:26 -- 5 minutes is an exemplary response time. Even if a portable defibrillator had been stored near the ride exit, it probably would have taken an inexperienced CM nearly that long just to take it out and open it up. I'm sure that 5 minutes must have seemed like an eternity to the young man's parents, but in most places in the world, having an equipped EMT arrive that fast is almost miraculous.

The article says that the father said that he noticed that something was wrong before the ride even stopped, and that he immediately started CPR as soon as it did. We don't know how long it took for the 911 call to get through; but I'm guessing that cell phones were pulled out pretty quickly by a lot of people.

 

[jenr812]

First, very sad story and I'm very sad for the family. That said, my husband works in emergency services and a defibrilator is NOT a cure-all miracle device. Several conditions must be met before one is used (ie heart issue rather than breathing, a certain type of rhythm) and even if it is, it isn't always effective. It's not like on tv where it works every time - in fact, MOST of the time it doesn't.

I agree. Although they really SHOULD have them available at rides where undiagnosed heart problems could be aggravated, such as MS and RRC. Also, people need to realize that you cannot use an adult defibrillator on children. THAT could/probably WOULD kill them. The majority of places that do have defibrillators in place do NOT have pediatric defibrillators.

That said, this makes me very sad. My heart goes out to this family (as well as the CM and other guests who witnessed this event!) and I will keep them in my prayers

 

[jenr812]

To give EMS credit, according to the Sentinel the 911 call was placed at 11:21am, and the EMT's arrived at 11:26 -- 5 minutes is an exemplary response time. Even if a portable defibrillator had been stored near the ride exit, it probably would have taken an inexperienced CM nearly that long just to take it out and open it up. I'm sure that 5 minutes must have seemed like an eternity to the young man's parents, but in most places in the world, having an equipped EMT arrive that fast is almost miraculous.

The article says that the father said that he noticed that something was wrong before the ride even stopped, and that he immediately started CPR as soon as it did. We don't know how long it took for the 911 call to get through; but I'm guessing that cell phones were pulled out pretty quickly by a lot of people.

VERY true!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Death is not that uncommon for those running in a marathon or a lesser road race. (I recall one road race where a man died from a heart attack just 1 mile into the race.) Yet, we usually don't hear anything about it past a local level.
And I never hear anyone wanting to cease or shorten courses, or insist on physicals before entrants participate. (Although entrants must sign releases beforehand for insurance purposes.)

Whenever a child dies, death is extremely sad. Sadly, it is a fact of life. And when it happens at Disney -- it's all over the news.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

How sad for the family! I can't even imagine!

I always wonder- they always report the death with the ride they were on last, but how do they not know that a ride they were on earlier "caused" the problem, but it just became evident later? (Does that even make sense? For instance if riding TOT triggered an unknown heart condition, and then the person went on RnR?)

5 minutes is really impressive for the EMTs to get there! I really think Disney does a great job putting a priority on safety in general. It does seem strange not to have a defib. at such an intense ride- I remember seeing them all over the All Star Resorts.

I really hope this is the last death at WDW for a very long time!

 

[my4kids]

Wow, I just heard... so sad we love RNR (especially my 12 year old)

Me head always gets banged from side to side though, I only ride it once and then wait for DD12 to ride it again (and again)

I had the same problem with my head being banged about. I rode once with DS10 toward the front and thought it was fun but was not anxious to do it a second time. He begged to go again, so we did and were seated in the very back row. It seemed much worse back there getting whipped around. I tried hard to keep my head against the backrest, but when we got off, I felt funny in my head, I was a little whoozy for a while after. I can't quite describe the feeling, but it was deep in my head.

 

[Luv2Roam]

RnRC (or any coaster I think) is smoother and slower the more towards the front you sit.
The nearer to the back the faster and rougher it is.
I think by far the most jarring coaster ride is Space Mountain. That one I avoid.

 

[Lizzybee]

Within the last 2 yrs we have had two deaths at Six Flags Great America. A couple of years ago a teenage girl choked on her gum while on the Raging Bull roller coaster and she died. There was also a man in his 50-60s who had a heart attack in the wave pool. It's very sad but neither one is someone's "fault". I have ridden that coaster with gum before, never thought twice til I heard of this young girl. I rode RnR and it's really not intense. Nothing at all compared to the thrill rides at SFGA, fun but fast and relatively small.
I also think of a boy whose parents knew he had a heart condition, but the parents, the teenage boy, and the dr decided to allow him to play soccer. His condition was such that he could die any time doing anything so they thought he should live his life to the fullest while he could. The boy went into cardiac arrest during gym class, they were walking the track not even running. The gym teacher performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. I was Assistant Director of Safety at the high school at that time and my job was to keep the parents from frantically rushing in and interrupting efforts to save their son's life with panic. The parents arrived calm and the boy died there on the field at the school. I imagine he'd have ridden all rides too when he was alive. I guess I understand their point of view, but that gym teacher was in therapy for at least a year.
It's so sad for the parents of this 12 yr old boy. They may spend alot of time second guessing the decision to ride this ride. Eventually they will get answers as to what happened, but those answers won't make it any easier. My prayers are with them.

 

[summerrluvv]

I had the same problem with my head being banged about. I rode once with DS10 toward the front and thought it was fun but was not anxious to do it a second time. He begged to go again, so we did and were seated in the very back row. It seem much worse back there get whipped around. I tried hard to keep my head against the backrest, but when we got off, I felt funny in my head, I was a little whoozy for a while after. I can't quite describe the feeling, but it was deep in my head.

I've only rode it once, but I had the same exact feeling you describe. I really don't like that ride at all.

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't think it's a case of these incidents being more common at Disney, it's just that when it does happen at Disney, everyone knows about it. Like someone else said, in MA the one you always hear about is Six Flags. Out here it's Valley Faire (where a coaster derailed a couple of months ago) or MOA. Accidents and medical deaths are unfortunately just a part of the amusement park business.

Someone posted a link on amusement park accidents on this thread or another one, I don't recall. Anyway, reading through the incidents, yes there were a lot, but most of them were not at the same park more than once or twice and most of them were because of rider fault or operator fault (i.e. rider standing up, or a ride attendant not paying attention). There is something with these Disney rides that is aggrivating underlying health problems that these riders have and resulting in death. It's sad, but I think they need to look into the rides a little further and their affects on the body with the g-forces or whatever (I'm not a coaster expert). Yes, there are bigger and faster rides at other places, but they are not the same as the ones at Disney and different rides can have different effects on the body.

 

[mommytomy3]

Unfortunately, I do know how the family feels, as I unexpectedly lost my 2 year 8 month old son in a drowning accident. I have been to grief support group, and I know from other parents that there is something called Long QT syndrome, and it is an undetected heart problem that can cause death from even an alarm clock going off- any over excitement can cause even death.. its from the hearbeat speeding up or something like that-- maybe this boy had some thing like that??
My heart goes out to this family, as I know that their lives will never be the same again.

 

[meredetrois2]

How very sad I feel so bad for this family. I have a son who is almost 12 and I can't even imagine what they must be going through. Our Disney trip starts Monday and I've told the kids not to even ask about the Rockin Roller Coaster. But I'm sure Disney will have everything in the park checked and rechecked for possible malfunctions!

 

[Harambe]

Very sad . . . As someone else said, this would be a good night to give all of our kids extra hugs.

God love that family!