Maintenance To Blame In Accident at DL

[TennVolTony]

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A crash on a Disneyland ride that killed one passenger and injured 10 was caused by incorrect maintenance, company officials said.

Authorities have said the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's locomotive lost the assembly that carries the rear wheels Sept. 5, causing it to strike a tunnel roof. The first car of the roller coaster then ran under the locomotive, killing Marcelo Torres, 22.

"Our own analysis found that the accident was caused by incorrectly performed maintenance tasks required by Disneyland policy and procedures that resulted in a mechanical failure," Leslie Goodman, senior vice president of strategic communications for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said Tuesday.

"At no time have we ever done anything which we believe would compromise the level of safety required for the safe operation of our attractions," Goodman added.

Park officials declined to comment further until a report from the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health is released. According to a police report released last month, Disneyland mechanics had performed routine maintenance on the ride the morning of the crash.

Attorney Wylie Aitken, who represents Torres' family, believes a failure to tighten bolts on a wheel that holds the train to the tracks was to blame

 

[Disney Ella]

Not exactly reassuring news. I hope this results in better maintenance, the kind I've read they had in the old days.

 

[TLinden16]

At least Disney is owning up to the accident, and not trying to pass the blame. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder that they have to be more careful about the maintenance of the rides.

Karen

 

[KathyFP]

No one is perfect

 

[grinningghost]

I have a feeling all the bad press will force them to be more strict with their maintenance people.

I don't think that any department at Disney will ever be the same as "in the old days".