Three Yr Old Boy Dies At Wdw !!!!!!

[dandave]

I don't wish to debate this tragic accident. I don't see one single question posted by the OP, either.

I'll refrain from any further posting on this thread, however, if that is your wish.

 

[PamOKW]

This is a terrible tragedy and I feel very sorry for this family. It may not be national news because it really needn't be. Disney is the size of a small city with thousands of people in the parks every day. Natural deaths and accidents happen just as they do in our hometowns. Tragic but not "news" such as if a ride were to malfunction.

To those who are concerned about Disney's response to emergencies....My personal experience has been that they are excellent. I don't know what occurred in this instance but I was overwhelmed by what the First Aid station could offer and the system they have in effect. I asked the first security guard I saw at Epcot to help us and the ball rolled along smoothly from that point on to get my Dad first to the Aid station and then to Celebration ER for additional treatment. I've also seen the response to someone reporting a missing child. Once again, they had an organized system in place as to who to call and how to start looking.

Sometimes when people are right in the emergency they lose perspective. Friends of ours maintain that the fire department took "a long time" responding to their house fire. I was there and the department responded in less than 10 minutes. It's a volunteer department and the people have to get to the fire house. What I saw as a remarkably quick response seemed like ages to the homeowners. My own experience waiting for an ambulance was similar. It seemed like hours but was probably about 6 minutes.

 

[TwingleMum]

Alex- I'm sorry if my post caused you any grief. I wasn't bashing Disney to assign blame. I was hurting for another Mom and didn't want to see it happen again. I am a Disney fan and was excited to find such a knowledgable place to get info.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Is there a link to a local paper about this death?

 

[Penny12]

Do the words <i>tragic accident</i> mean nothing these days?

A child can choke on just about anything if it goes down wrong (just as an adult can). When people are upset, it's only natural to point the finger looking to blame someone - it's just what people do - try to find a reason for an otherwise senseless death.

I think regardless of whether the OP is right or wrong to see fault with Disney, her reaction is probably similar to what <i>anyone</i> else here might be if they found themselves hurting in a similar situation - so cut her some slack.

Sometimes bad things just happen - and this definately qualifies

 

[Tinkbell]

Very sad story.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

DH said he would have opened up the kids throat and done a tracheotomy. Has worked in hospital over 20yrs.
May have been sued for doing it but as he says
"I couldnt just stand there and let the kid die"

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by mom2boys
I can't see how Disney can be blamed. This type of thing can happen anywhere.

I agree. At that age DS wasn't given an entire hot dog to eat. I cut it down the middle and then into quarter pieces. I would have asked for a plastic fork and knife to take care of it. Very sad!

 

[Olaf]

Originally posted by TwingleMum
I still am sceptical about WDW response efficiency but I think when something this horrendous happens you need to assign blame . . .

Why? Sometimes bad things just happen and no one is at fault.

Last year, when arriving at the Cape to board for a Disney cruise, I fell and hit my head while getting out of the car. I was so excited. Anyway, the Disney cast members were all over me. They couldn't do enough for me. I guess they've had problems with people trying to sue and all. I was a little bit dizzy, so they escorted me in and checked us through. We were the first family allowed on the ship and they escorted us to our cabin immediately. They couldn't have been more accomodating.

 

[CynJ]

Honestly with the sheer numbers that attend the parks I am somewhat surprised at the lack of similar incidents to this. I somehow would find it totally incomprehesible that WDW staff would "allow" a child to die. I am sure that everything that could have been done was done.

My heart goes out to the family of the toddler because we can all argue about blame amongst ourselves, and in days/weeks the topic will silently disappear from these boards, but that poor family will have forever lost their child and no amount of finger pointing, arguing or blame-placing will bring him back to them.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I am so sorry to hear about this.
but the child could have easily been at home and had the same thing happen.i just cant see that it is Disneys fault

 

[vald1977]

Originally posted by CynJ

My heart goes out to the family of the toddler because we can all argue about blame amongst ourselves, and in days/weeks the topic will silently disappear from these boards, but that poor family will have forever lost their child and no amount of finger pointing, arguing or blame-placing will bring him back to them.

Well said, CynJ.

This story breaks my heart. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family of this young boy. Thanks for the reminder, Twinglemum, that we should all take special care with our little ones and hotdogs. I know I'll be hugging mine a little closer tonight.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

People do die at WDW. You don't hear about it unless it involves a ride or something like that.
Anytime a child dies, it is tragic. I feel so bad for those people.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Unless someone actually timed Disney's response time, I think it's very hard to tell how long it took for them to arrive and how that may have affected the outcome.

I was on my way to a class one night many years ago, and witnessed a girl get hit by a car. I got out of my car, ran up to a house, told them to call an ambulance (pre-911), waited for it and the police to arrive, gave them my name and phone number, and got back in the car. I was SHOCKED at how LITTLE time had passed. But when you've got a child laying on the ground and you're waiting for help, it can seem like an eternity, particularly if that child is your own.

My heart goes out to the family.

 

[maryliz]

I agree ... in an emergency, 3 minutes seems more like 15 minutes. I have a 3 yr old ds, so reading this has made me especially sad. My heart goes out to that family. I don't see blame anywhere ... like others have said, sometimes bad things happen in life. An adult can just as easily choke on a hot dog. I think I need to go and give my sleeping kids an extra hug and kiss right now, and be thankful that I am able to do this tonight.

 

[Eugenius20]

Wow, that is sad. I'm going next week and taking my 5 and 2 year old DDs. I'm most worried about their safety on rides and in the public in general, but never would I have thought about food. Thanks for the truly sad, but eye-opening story. I will definitely be very careful of what food to get them.

 

[robinb]

I also have a 3 year old and I find this whole thread depressing and scary. I will still serve my 3 year old hot-dogs (one of the maybe 10 things she will eat), but I will keep a sharper eye on her.

Something similar happened at Six Flags in Illinois this weekend. An 11 year old girl choked on a piece of gum while on a roller coaster: http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article_lc.asp?storyid=40174

 

[FleurdeLise]

Originally posted by robinb
I also have a 3 year old and I find this whole thread depressing and scary. I will still serve my 3 year old hot-dogs (one of the maybe 10 things she will eat), but I will keep a sharper eye on her.

[/url]

Then the whole point of this thread has been in vain. Unless the hot dog is quartered(not just sliced) a child can choke on it.Keeping your "eye" on your child will not dislodge the hot dog. Capice?


Why some folks won't believe this happened ,simply because a google search doesn't show it happening? A death at
WDW that does not involve a mal functioning ride would not be reported to the media.Obituaries seldom indicate the reason or place of death.

 

[momsal]

Prays for the Family!
I can't imagine the pain they are in.
I have a 2 yr old Granddaughter and she loves hotdogs I will tell my Daughter to be very careful with them!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by FleurdeLise
Then the whole point of this thread has been in vain. Unless the hot dog is quartered(not just sliced) a child can choke on it.Keeping your "eye" on your child will not dislodge the hot dog. Capice?

I agree, FleurdeLise.


As with many child safetly issues, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has published guidelines and recommendations, based on statistics, research, and the experience and expertise of hundreds of pediatricians nationwide. I am continually dismayed at the numbers of parents who choose NOT to follow these recommendations ("I know my child best . . ." )

Here is some relavant information:

Choking Prevention



In addition to food, there are household items that can become choking hazards. You can help ensure a safe environment by keeping these items away from infants and young children:
Latex balloons
Coins
Marbles
Toys with small parts
Toys that can be compressed to fit entirely into a child's mouth
Small balls
Pen or marker caps
Small button-type batteries
Medicine syringes
Choking can be prevented. Before your child begins to crawl, get down on his level and look for dangerous items. If you have older children, pay extra attention to their toys and be sure your younger child can't get into them. In addition to thoroughly childproofing your home, keep this list of choking prevention tips in mind:

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (basic life support).

Be aware that balloons pose a choking risk to children of any age.

Keep the following foods from children until 4 years of age:
Hot dogs
Nuts and seeds
Chunks of meat or cheese
Whole grapes
Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
Popcorn
Chunks of peanut butter
Raw vegetables
Raisins
Chewing gum

Insist that children eat at the table, or at least while sitting down. They should never run, walk, play or lie down with food in their mouths.

Cut food for infants and young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch and teach them to chew their food well.

Supervise mealtime for infants and young children.

Be aware of older children's actions. Many choking incidents occur when older brothers or sisters give dangerous foods, toys or small objects to a younger child.

Avoid toys with small parts and keep other small household items out of reach of infants and young children.

Follow the age recommendations on toy packages. Age guidelines reflect the safety of a toy based on any possible choking hazard as well as the child's physical and mental abilities at various ages.

Check under furniture and between cushions for small items that children could find and put in their mouths.

Do not let infants and young children play with coins.
In addition to creating a safe environment for your child, it is important to learn basic life support skills. Post a first aid chart in your home; it can be a valuable reminder in the case of an emergency. However, these instructions should not take the place of an approved class in basic first aid, CPR or emergency prevention. Contact your local American Red Cross office or the American Heart Association to find out about classes offered in your area. Most of the classes teach basic first aid, CPR and emergency prevention along with what to do for a choking infant or child. Your pediatrician also can help you understand these steps and talk to you about the importance of supervising mealtime and identifying dangerous foods and objects.

http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZSEN9YA7C&sub_cat=104

Choking: Common Dangers for Children



When children begin crawling, or eating table foods, parents must be aware of the dangers and risks of choking. Older infants and children less than 5 years of age can easily choke on food and small objects.
Choking occurs when food or small objects get caught in the throat and block the airway. This prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. When the brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, brain damage or even death may occur. Many children die from choking each year. Most children who choke to death are younger than 5 years of age. Two-thirds of choking victims are infants younger than 1 year of age.

Food is one of the most common choking dangers for young children. When infants and young children do not grind or chew their food well, they may attempt to swallow it whole. If the food is in large pieces, it can lodge in their throat and cause choking. You can help reduce the chances of choking by not feeding children younger than 4 years of age any round, firm food unless it is chopped completely. Round, firm foods are common choking dangers. The following foods can be choking hazards:

Hot dogs
Nuts and seeds
Chunks of meat or cheese
Whole grapes
Hard, gooey or sticky candy
Popcorn
Chunks of peanut butter
Raw vegetables
Raisins
Chewing gum

http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QH03B7C&sub_cat=104