A 12-year-old boy died today after riding the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios theme park, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The boy was declared dead en route to an Celebration Hospital. The rescue call came in this morning about 11:30 a.m.
According to state records reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, this would be the seventh person to die at a Disney attraction since the Christmas season of 2004.
Disney said, "We have closed the attraction pending an investigation. An initial review of the attraction shows the ride was operating normally. We have notified Orange County law enforcement. The state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection has also been notified and will observe the inspection and review of the attraction."
The coaster, known for its fast start and pulsating Aerosmith soundtrack, is the second-fastest ride at Disney, with a top speed of 57 mph. According to the Disney Web site, "This attraction pulls between 4 and 5 big, fat, monster Gs. Space shuttle astronauts, by comparison, experience 3 Gs at liftoff.''
The indoor ride, which opened in 1999, catapults people from zero-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, then takes them through a make-believe night in Southern California in a 24-passenger stretch limo. The ride climbs to 85 feet and goes by Hollywood landmarks on its way through five inversions.
It has the tallest height requirement in Disney's four parks -- tied with Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl. (There is a 52 inch height requirement to drive at the Magic Kingdom's Indy Speedway, but you can be any height on that to be a passenger.
The fastest ride at Disney is Epcot's Test Track, which can reach a speed of 65 mph.
CNN Reports:
The boy was unresponsive when he was found in his seat at the end of the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster ride, said Terry McElroy of the Florida Department of Agriculture, which regulates the industry.The boy, who was riding the coaster with his father, was given CPR and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.A Disney representative was with the family Thursday afternoon and Disney officials were offering the boy's family "deepest sympathies."The incident happened at 11:30 a.m.
Disney shut down the ride and a state inspector arrived to observe the Disney investigation. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation as well.Disney boasts of the ride on its Web site, "Zoom from 0 to 60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack and zip through Tinseltown in the biggest, loudest limo you've ever seen."It adds: "The 3,400-foot-long track is more than a half mile of sudden accelerations, dips, loops and twists and turns."Children shorter than 4 feet are not permitted on the ride, according to the Web site.One month ago, another child died on the Disney ride "Mission Space" at the Epcot Center.
"No evidence of injury was found, but congenital heart abnormalities were detected which will be further evaluated," the report from the District Nine Medical Examiner's office said. "The cause of death will be left pending until results of additional studies are obtained."
The boy was declared dead en route to an Celebration Hospital. The rescue call came in this morning about 11:30 a.m.
According to state records reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, this would be the seventh person to die at a Disney attraction since the Christmas season of 2004.
Disney said, "We have closed the attraction pending an investigation. An initial review of the attraction shows the ride was operating normally. We have notified Orange County law enforcement. The state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection has also been notified and will observe the inspection and review of the attraction."
The coaster, known for its fast start and pulsating Aerosmith soundtrack, is the second-fastest ride at Disney, with a top speed of 57 mph. According to the Disney Web site, "This attraction pulls between 4 and 5 big, fat, monster Gs. Space shuttle astronauts, by comparison, experience 3 Gs at liftoff.''
The indoor ride, which opened in 1999, catapults people from zero-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, then takes them through a make-believe night in Southern California in a 24-passenger stretch limo. The ride climbs to 85 feet and goes by Hollywood landmarks on its way through five inversions.
It has the tallest height requirement in Disney's four parks -- tied with Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl. (There is a 52 inch height requirement to drive at the Magic Kingdom's Indy Speedway, but you can be any height on that to be a passenger.
The fastest ride at Disney is Epcot's Test Track, which can reach a speed of 65 mph.
CNN Reports:
The boy was unresponsive when he was found in his seat at the end of the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster ride, said Terry McElroy of the Florida Department of Agriculture, which regulates the industry.The boy, who was riding the coaster with his father, was given CPR and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.A Disney representative was with the family Thursday afternoon and Disney officials were offering the boy's family "deepest sympathies."The incident happened at 11:30 a.m.
Disney shut down the ride and a state inspector arrived to observe the Disney investigation. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation as well.Disney boasts of the ride on its Web site, "Zoom from 0 to 60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack and zip through Tinseltown in the biggest, loudest limo you've ever seen."It adds: "The 3,400-foot-long track is more than a half mile of sudden accelerations, dips, loops and twists and turns."Children shorter than 4 feet are not permitted on the ride, according to the Web site.One month ago, another child died on the Disney ride "Mission Space" at the Epcot Center.
"No evidence of injury was found, but congenital heart abnormalities were detected which will be further evaluated," the report from the District Nine Medical Examiner's office said. "The cause of death will be left pending until results of additional studies are obtained."
