Update: attraction has reopened the next morning and preliminary autopsy results indicate a pre-existing condition in the child.
The Orlando Sentinel has breaking news that a Boy, age 12, died after riding the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney-MGM Studios today. Local6.com is reporting the child complained of being ill after experiencing the attraction and was being transported to a hospital, but died en route. However, CNN quotes a state official as saying the child was unresponsive when the car pulled into the station.
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.
An update from the Orlando Sentinel states a 911 call said the boy was unconscious and not breathing after the ride. So I’m guessing Local6 got some wrong information somewhere.
This marks the 3rd guest death in just over a year after experiencing a Walt Disney World attraction and the 7th since Christmas Season of 2004 (source, Orlando Sentinel).
Correction: no death was recorded in the 2000 incident. According to ThemeParkInsider there has been one previous major injury on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in April of 2000. A 43 year old man suffered a brain injury.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster opened at Disney-MGM Studios on July 30, 1999. The height requirement for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is 48 inches. It features a a high-speed launch that goes from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds creating g-forces of between 4 to 5Gs during some of the attraction’s corkscrews and loops.
According to Disney Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was operating as normal when the death occured. However, the attraction has been shut down for inspection and state agencies notified. More info as I can find it. My sympathies to the family of the child and to the cast members who witnessed the incident.
[ Tags: disney, wdw, disneyworld, disney+world, accident, death, injury, roller+coaster, themepark, theme+park, aerosmith ]
Oh, my. So sorry to hear that…
The next update with much more information is likely to come after 4 p.m., when Disney and Orange sheriff’s officials said they will hold a news conference. We expect to have something up soon after that. JC
CNN.com has a story here – http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/29/coaster.death/index.html
They also have a close-up picture of the large guitar outside of the attraction, which is made to look like the track of a coaster. Of course, it’s not, but people who haven’t been there will probably mistake this prop for being part of the actual ride. Way to go, CNN.
And in more disturbing news
Theres this . Something Ive always feared. I suppose its just like shark attacks. Yeah, statistically they might happen only a few times per year, but Im still a little cautious every time my toes hit the water. And, while …
We updated our article on OrlandoSentinel.com a while ago, with name and a few more details. JC
oh my god i ttly rode tha trollercoaster two years ago!!
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