Man killed at Cedar Point

[soccerdad72]

At first, I was confused by the story. I thought they got the name of the coaster wrong, or were calling it by its old name. I thought I read Rougarou had replaced Raptor, but it seems it replaced the stand-up coaster Mantis. Same track, from what I understand, just different sit down trains.

Have to get back to Cedar Point soon to ride Millenium Force again....and also the Derby Racers "carousel."

Yes, Rougarou is on the same track as Mantis - just different car design. Still kind of lame, unfortunately.

 

[Shutterbug]

Cedar Point is delaying its major announcement that was suppose to take place on Tuesday due to this incident.

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/08/cedar_point_postpones_major_ri.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

[justgrace]

What a terrible situation. I feel sad for the people riding the coaster when it happened. What a horrendous thing to have been a witness to.

No cellphone is worth putting your life in danger for.

 

[Planogirl]

Cedar Point is delaying its major announcement that was suppose to take place on Tuesday due to this incident.

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/08/cedar_point_postpones_major_ri.html#incart_m-rpt-1

That's classy of Cedar Point. They did nothing wrong but it's nice for them to show respect.

 

[Shutterbug]

No cellphone is worth putting your life in danger for.

I agree but have known some people who have gotten into a big panic about missing or losing their cell phone because they were afraid of what others might find on it.

 

[teller80]

I was with a friend recently and she dropped her iPhone and it shattered the screen and its all she talked about for a week. Her family is low income so she cant afford to replace it ( honestly, her family is on welfare, so she really couldn't afford the phone in the first place), and I could see her obsessing and risking injury to save her precious toy.

oh boy.

 

[spewey]

Their big announcement - set for just a few days from now - is rumoured/largely known to be for a B&M "dive coaster", also rumoured/known to be named "Valravn".

This is where it gets kinda weird for Cedar Point - Valravn is a mythical bird of prey (i.e. a raptor) that feasts on the slain.

I have ridden Raptor many, many times, most recently last month (it is now my 8-year-old DD's favourite coaster). What confuses me is how the victim actually got into the area where he was stuck (not by a rider, but by part of the train). It was near the helix at the end of the ride. The fences surrounding that area are quite tall, and have a plastic covering that makes climbing them very, very challenging.

Cedar Point takes rider safety more seriously than just about any park on earth. I wonder if this will result in any changes vis-a-vis loose article restrictions, a la what Universal has put in place.

 

[georgina]

Have to get back to Cedar Point soon to ride Millenium Force again....and also the Derby Racers "carousel."

Never ridden Millenium Force, but loved that old Cedar Downs!

I can't imagine leaving a phone in a cubbie or box - too many people likely to take it. Secure pockets or locker would be better choices.

 

[Kellykins1218]

The fences surrounding that area are quite tall, and have a plastic covering that makes climbing them very, very challenging.
.

No, they have just a regular chain link fence but it's covered with signs warning you to keep out.

 

[bethbuchall]

My teenage nephew lost his phone on that coaster (I think...it was definitely one of the ones in the park) a couple of years ago. He never got it back, but thank goodness he was smart enough to stay out of a fenced off area!

 

[low-key]

I would of hopped the fence

 

[North of Mouse]

What would there have been about danger keep out warnings, fences, and restricted area that he did not understand??

Sad, but some people just can't be saved from themselves.

 

[Cantw8]

What an incredibly senseless and embarrassing way to die

 

[spewey]

I just looked at a photo of the area where it seems the incident took place. I stand corrected about the fence - it is indeed simple chain-link. The fence with the hardware cloth is nearer the queue, which makes sense, I guess.

Either way it would not have been the easiest thing in the world to hop over. But possible, obviously and unfortunately.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Out of curiosity, does Cedar Point sell alcohol and could it have played a factor?

This was my first thought...was he under the influence?

The man was just hired as a school guidance counselor. How did he make such a poor choice...deciding to jump a fence and enter a restricted area to retrieve a cellphone and wallet?

Sad, sad, sad. My sympathies for his loved ones.

 

[Rhombus]

In an ideal world, NO tall chain link fence would be needed around the low parts of the track. No warning signs necessary. A fully-grown normally functioning adult should already know not to approach such an area. Yet there were signs and a fence, and he STILL went out of his way to put himself in danger.

No patience for crap like this anymore. Good riddance.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We were at Universal Studios Hollywood last week. They don't allow any carry-on items on the Mummy ride. It's an indoor roller coaster that doesn't go upside-down, but it's very fast. They do provide free lockers, good for 90 minutes right next to the ride. In the same area, they have the Jurassic Park ride (very wet) and Transformers (jerky and fast). We left our stuff in a locker for all three rides. My DS's only carry their phones and wallets if they have cargo shorts with pockets that button. Then they're very careful to double-check that everything is secure. DS tossed his phone, wallet, and glasses in the locker with my bag. Easy enough and we didn't have to worry about losing anything.

 

[wenrob]

I agree but have known some people who have gotten into a big panic about missing or losing their cell phone because they were afraid of what others might find on it.

This is what Find My Phone or other similar applications are for. You can lock that sucker down tight and/or wipe it clean in a matter of seconds. I'm amazed at the amount of people who do not use it though and usually out of sheer laziness. (because hitting the toggle and entering a password is too time consuming apparently)

My oldest DD was watching a sitcom the other day and Reba tossed a guy's phone from a roof. I jokingly said I'd go after mine and DD was horrified. Of course I wouldn't. At the end of the day it's just a phone. It can be replaced, a life can't. I feel so bad for the people who witnessed this and this man's family. I just can't wrap my head around doing something like that.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I wonder, if his concern was for the cellphone or his wallet? Possibly both? Neither was worth his life.

Just hard to comprehend.

 

[teller80]

For those of you wondering what the fencing situation is for this ride, there are two fences. One is about 4' tall, then when the ride reaches low points there is a second fence that is higher - 6' maybe?