Death on Big Thiuder Mountain at DL.

[Bob O]

Here is a link to a story of a man who died after getting off Big Thunder Mountain. Now i know why it was closed when i tryed to ride it on Sunday Dec 8.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/david/parkdeath.htm

 

[raidermatt]

Very sad.

 

[disneywy]

Hi, I am new to posting here, but have been an avid reader of the board for a few years now....

Just wanted to say that this past Saturday BTM was also closed around 9 pm or so, for a while. I was on the ride and headed up the second lift hill when it was shut down and we were all evacuated and escorted out. They said it was because of the train ahead of us having to stop and valleying out after getting too close to the train ahead of it. Obviously this is not nearly as serious as someone dieing after being on BTM, but just wanted to share that it was the second mishap for the ride that night. When I first read about the man's death I though maybe I was on the ride as it happened, but from what I have read it seems that was later in the evening, closer to park closing.

On a lighter note, we did get to see some of the inner workings of the caves and equipment as we walked out which was a lot of fun.

Hope to contribute more to the board in the future!

 

[Bob O]

Nice to have more people here disneywy!!!
From the reports i have seen i find that no mishap on disney's part took place at all but a possible misjudgement by the person who died in a very sad manner. As for the coaster being down on saturday i also wouldnt call that a mishap but would say it shows that all of the safety devices on the coaster worked properly and the ride shut it self down to avoid a collision or any injury. Something like what happened to Thunder Mountain isnt unusual for roller coasters.

 

[Muffy]

Very sad news.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

What a sad story. When my dh and I were on our honeymoon in WDW, we were riding Splash Mountain. Everything was going along smoothly, then the ride stopped. Unfortunately our log stopped in front of that big old frog hanging out on the hammock, and "everybody has a laughing place" was playing, over and over, and over - you get my drift - I cringe when I hear see that frog now. When we got off, I spoke to a cm I knew and found out that a man had a heart attack on the final drop and had to be whisked away! I guess they don't put those warning signs up just to give guests something to read while they wait on line

 

[eeyore0062]

Wow, that is too bad... and probably the man didn't even know he was at risk. Heart attacks and strokes can happen at anytime, anywhere... without notice, or even provocation, so the fact that he had just exited Big Thunder most likely had nothing to do with it. It could have easily happened on the Carousel, or just walking through the park. I feel for his family, loosing a loved one so close to the holidays, in such an unexpected way.

Also, they will likely never look at a trip to DL in quite the same way again.