Very said to hear that Patrick Swayze has died. He was 57 years old. Although he was not involved in a lot of Disney projects, Swayze got his start at Disney and and did find a few wonderful movies to participate in. He began his… Read More »Patrick Swayze – RIP
Sad news tonight from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A stunt performer at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular died during an evening rehearsal for the show. The Orlando Sentinel reports that he died after doing a tumbling roll. Sad proof that even what may seem like… Read More »Cast Member dies after Indiana Jones Stunt Show Rehearsal Accident
A performer in the Magic Kingdom’s Captan Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial has passed away after an injury occurred during a performance. The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Mark Priest, 47, slipped on a wet spot during a performance and was taken to the hospital on Thursday,… Read More »Castmember Dies After Injury
In a letter sent to the local press today the NTSB has updated the status of the investigation into the Monorail accident of July 5th at Walt Disney World. In addition to interviews with the employees involved, they’ve begun to review documents provided by Walt Disneyworld.
Interestingly the letter claims they’ve received ‘most’ of what they requested. This includes: “employee records showing training, work history and work hours; monorail standard operating procedures; and mechanical maintenance and inspection history of the trains and switch mechanism.” The investigators are being thorough, that’s good to see. Let’s hope they’re also looking at comparisons to historical practices versus what was in place at the parks at the time.
Look for the report to be finished in about 6 months.
The full text of the letter is below the cut:
I’m not sure we’re getting any closer to a definitive cause of the recent Monorail Accident that resulted in the death of one cast member. We’re not even sure there is only one cause. But a report in the Orlando Sentinel does reveal a new… Read More »New Details Emerge from Disney Monorail Crash
I’m trying to compile a list of known changes made to procedures or operations at Walt Disney World since the Monorail Accident that resulted in the death of one monorail pilot. If you can help me add anything I’m missing I’d appreciate it. Guests are… Read More »List of Changes Disney’s Made Since Monorail Death
Update: turns out the driver of Monorail Pink was placed on administrative leave as well. All the leave is with pay pending the results of the investigation. Local TV channel WESH is reporting that two Disney World employees have been suspended pending further investigation of… Read More »Disney suspends two cast members over Monorail Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary statement on the July 5th collision of two Monorails at Walt Disney World that left one cast member dead. It contains what we have to take as the most accurate description of the tragic unfolding to date. The full report can take 6 months or more.
One of the most heartbreaking details revealed by the NTSB is that the Monorail Purple pilot died while trying to switch his train into reverse and save the lives of his passengers. An upstanding young man and a hero. I hope Walt Disney World finds some way to honor his heroic actions.
Update: The Orlando Sentinel has discovered a potentially unsettling detail. The Manager who was responsible for Monorail Central Control was off property at the time of the crash, although still issuing commands through their radio. They had been asked to take over the Central Coordinator duties after the original coordinator left early due to illness. My sources tell me it’s unlikely this was a contributing factor to the crash. But having the coordinator in the station as an extra pair of eyes during switch times is probably a bonus.
The full text of the statement below the cut:
Read More »NTSB releases preliminary statement on Monorail Accident