However, due to the owners negligence of the terrifying reverse-bungee ride, Charron was entering a ticking time bomb. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The young girls death shocked the community as it was the first fatality to happen at the amusement park since it opened in 1973. #inline-recirc-item--id-91e18158-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91e18158-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { AP Photo by Paul Sakuma, 'Zero visibility' conditions: All roads to Tahoe are closed, My meal at this landmark SF spot was too expensive to be so bad, One of the largest movie theaters in SF to close permanently, 'Really cool sight': Rare waterspout forms in Northern California, Report: Matthew McConaughey has a massive Salesforce paycheck, Man shot dead near San Francisco Ferry Building, A different horse': Bay Area will likely continue to see rain, 'Life threatening': Tahoe braces for massive blizzard, 'Lady in the fridge' murder victim ID'd as Bay Area mother of 3, Snow shuts down over 70 miles of I-80 in Northern California, Horoscope for Wednesday, 3/01/23 by Christopher Renstrom, These East Bay gems are a haven for music lovers. 2000-02-10 04:00:00 PDT SOUTH BAY -- The mother of Joshua Smurphat, the 12-year-old Sunnyvale boy who fell to his death last summer at Paramount's Great America, has filed a lawsuit accusing the Santa Clara theme park of negligence. Sergeant James Hackemer was 29-years-old when he died on the Ride of Steel at Darien Lake Theme Park in Syracuse, New York. We need to get the information out on the table, said park safety advocate Kathy Fackler of La Jolla, founder of SaferParks. "My son, Daniel, has been skittish about going on any of the big rides today," she said, "and we have noticed on every ride they are checking and double-checking when they put you on. Although the ride had passed inspection, Ventures replaced the strap which connected the harness to the bungee cord with one half as thick as the regulated strap had been. ", He said nothing has changed since his son died on March 24, and he worries about the safety of others. The 100-acre amusement park California's Great America is located in Santa Clara, California. The bill, which must still be approved by the full Senate and the governor, would provide state inspection and oversight of permanent amusement parks. The ride reopened on August 1, 2014. Witnesses claimed to have seen her trying to stand up while the car inched up the hill and when the empty car returned to the station her seat-belt was unfastened. In Palatine, Illinois, a three-year-old tragically died after suffering injuries in a go-kart accident. AP Photo/family photo. Park officials claim that there was no malfunction with the ride itself and the Great American spokesman Timothy Chanaud explained to the public that Joshua's safety harness was locked for the duration of the ride. It is a pneumatically powered pendulum ride technically classified as a "Screamin' Swing." Her daughter as well as other riders witnessed Esparza being thrown from the coaster as it plummeted down the hill. In the third case, a 12-year-old mentally and physically disabled boy died after slipping from a roller-coaster car that free-falls 22 stories. Check your DNS Settings. Joshua Smurphat was 12-years-old when he got in line for Drop Tower: Scream Zone, a 224-foot tower that promises a terrifying free-fall for all the thrill seekers at the park. [Mason-Larez] was under high risk, and she didnt know it.. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills at least 36, injures some 85, Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, House select committee hearing paints China as a strategic antagonist, JetBlue flight forced to abort landing in close call at Logan Airport, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Bald eagle couple lays new egg after losing eaglets two years in a row. Park officials disputed witness accounts suggesting that the boy was not properly strapped into his seat. Douglas Smith, an associate professor of neurosurgery explains that when the head moves that quickly on a roller coaster, the brain is also moving or "deforming" inside the skull, and if this occurs too quickly it is possible to suffer serious brain injuries. The entire ride was to be taken out of commission for the rest of the day but not until the final group of riders, including Joshua, were given their turn. Police released a 900-plus page report in November containing more than 100 interviews with witnesses, some of whom gave conflicting statements about how Joshua, a child with developmental disabilities, fell from the 224-foot-tall ride. "I saw the bar fly up after the ride started braking to stop," said Garyd Winslow of Ben Lomond, who was waiting in line for the ride when Joshua died. The mother, Lindsay Kukich, explained to police that she received an OK from the go-kart operator to take the child on the ride. John Bonham's family funeral service took place on October 10th 1980 at Rushock Parish Church in Worcestershire. ORLANDO, Fla. - Tyre Sampson would have turned 15 years old on Wednesday. She also claims that the park disregarded a March 1996 recommendation from the Santa Clara Fire Department, which called for the installation of a safety strap between the ride's seat and the harness. Kimi Yoshino is the former manager editor of the Los Angeles Times. I was one ride over at the grizzly when that happened. He was air-lifted to a children's hospital in Cleveland where he entered ICU. Attorneys and safety consultants say that ride designers should either anticipate such problems or restrict access. In documents released by the state, the general manager of Funtime, the manufacturer of the Orlando Freefall ride writes about seat and shoulder restraint. "Maybe cause it's a color issue, that's why the. Joshua Smurphat's fatal fall at Paramount's Great America amusement park in 1999 was caused by a malfunctioning harness on a drop tower ride. display: none; Although most of these horrific amusement park accidents involve incidents where people are thrown unwilling from a passenger car, sometimes the person is still on the ride when it pulls back into the station. Last August, a preliminary investigation by park inspectors and police ruled out mechanical error. Wreath placed outside parking lot entrance forJoshua Smurphat, 12 years old, who died while on the Drop Zone ride Sunday afternoon. "I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die," said Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat. The bouquet appeared to be the last comment by the family for now. The ride is designed for passengers to enjoy a seven-story free fall as the trains are sent down the track one after the other. An independent investigator as well as the formal park investigation concluded that Tamar standing on the ride was what allowed her to fall out. His father and local leaders gathered outside the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park where he fell to his death with balloons and a message. The manufacturer--Intamin AG, a worldwide company known for its cutting-edge roller coasters at parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneys California Adventure--has denied responsibility in all three cases. Joshua Smurphat was from Sunnyvale, CA, and died on a Sunday. According to Great America spokesman Timothy Chanaud, "The harness was checked and locked before the coach started, and it was still locked when the vehicle returned to the ground. Park officials said that the same section of the park would remain closed on Monday, but the rest of the park would open as scheduled. It's my life. Questions remain unanswered surrounding the tragic death of Caleb Schwab and why more safety precautions weren't taken to ensure that something like this did not happen and will not happen again. Site Map The Commission's investigation also concluded that at least 11 incidents had gone unreported between 1976 and 1979. "We've been bombarded by calls and have nothing to say now.". This incident is just one of many that have happened at one of the Cedar Fair Amusement Parks across the US. But according to Tami Smurphat's complaint, Great America knew the Drop Zone posed a risk to patrons. display: none; Mancini, the Mason-Larez attorney, said that if manufacturers are aware of risks to heavy people, riders should be informed. The Oklahoma Department of Labor inspected the ride only two weeks prior to the deadly accident. His family is calling for a simple safety measure that they say may have prevented his death, and the death of a teen in Orlando. A 4.0 honor student lost his life. How could this happen?' Kyle Foss was one of the passengers who was ejected from the train and landed fatally on the rocks below. one in heaven(Joshua) and one on earth(Alicia)!!! Others said the ride's harness was down and in a locked position, and that Joshua somehow wiggled out of his seat. } The Drop Zone, a 207-foot-high "extreme" thrill ride that dumps riders straight toward the ground along a metal track at more than 60 mph, opened three years ago and is one of the park's most popular rides. However, some workers and customers at Great America said yesterday that the sadness of Joshua's death seemed to cast a pall over the normally fun thrill park, which flew its flags at half-staff in Joshua's memory. Park officials declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit but made the safety changes before reopening the ride. It might end up, wind up injuring an individual if they have to use it, and it winds up catching them if you will, in the event that the primary fails but it should keep them contained," Avery explained. Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale somehow slipped out of his Drop Zone car while 50 to 100 feet above the ground Sunday afternoon. He died instantly upon hitting the concrete below. Please contact your hosting provider to confirm your origin IP and then make sure the correct IP is listed for your A record in your Cloudflare DNS Settings page. Joshua Lee Smurphat Born 26 Jul 1987 in Santa Clara, California Ancestors Son of Terry Lee Smurphat and [private mother (1960s - unknown)] [sibling (s) unknown] [spouse (s) unknown] [children unknown] Died 22 Aug 1999 at age 12 in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, California, USA Profile manager: Cheryl Richardson [ send private message ] Guyton had apparently wandered into the restricted zone accidentally. The two women who were riding the raft with Caleb (Hannah Barnes and Matraca Baetz) have been speaking out in the media about possible negligence by the workers at Schlitterbahn. The Verrckt slide has since been closed and is not expected to reopen for the rest of the year. In 2022, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was killed when he dropped from a similar ride operated by Orlando Slingshot. Click here for the latest Central Florida news, Florida stories, and local headlines. Although the pond was roped off, there were no signs that the water itself was dangerous. Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara quickly hired a consulting firm, Exponent Inc. in Menlo Park, to help determine how Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale, a mentally disabled 12-year-old . Designed to have arms operating individually, this type of ride uses compressed air which in turn triggers the actuators and cables that put the ride in motion. It sounded like a big kerchunk, like when the harness snaps open or closed when you get on or off the ride," he said. However, officials for the parks say they were following instructions from Intamin. "His mother came over in hysterics and kept yelling, 'Why didn't they put the bar down? How tales of posh mums drinking babies' blood turned into UK's most dangerous conspiracy - & is still ruining lives now, Eerie pictures show Walmart's warning signs cautioning shoppers they are constantly being watched. "The boy was kind of struggling to stay in, then he flew out feet first, flipped cartwheel-style over, and fell straight down on his head. Jay Lingenfelter, a family friend who was seated next to Joshua, said the safety harness was not checked before the ride began and he heard a sound like when the harness snaps open just before the boy fell. Her family sued Six Flags as they were to blame for the ride malfunctioning, as well as a slow response time on behalf of the person operating the ride. Many passengers were thrown from the train, others managed to hold on. About 1.9 million riders use it every year. "When the braking system started, I heard something. My sister and I ran right over to him, but it was obvious he was dead. Another boy slipped out of his seat on a drop ride and fell to his death 23 years ago in California. Witnesses stated that the boy began trying to slip out of the harness when they began their ascension up the tower, and once the ride dropped into free-fall, Joshua allegedly fell out. OLeary believes that the recent death in Orlando could have been prevented if a belt was used in addition to the shoulder harness. "I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die," said Tami Smurphat. Creative writer with a love for the strange and unfamiliar. She is in therapy to cope with her loss, she said. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Joshua Smurphat, who fatally fell from a ride in 1999, is remembered by his family who are pushing for stricter safety measures after a similar death, Smurphat fell from a drop ride, similar to the one 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was killed on in 2022, 'I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die,' said Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat, Mom recalls gut-wrenching moment her 12-year-old sons body landed feet from her after 100ft fall from amusement ride, Bizarre 'reason' for Walmart's anti-theft devices on energy drinks and why they 'won't make much difference', Widower, 91, killed in devastating house explosion after making mistake while building worktop, Inside 'cop informant' Jorge Ramirez's death in a police shootout and how it 'exposed Bakersfield force corruption', Im an ex Ryanair air hostess & I flashed a pilot mid-flight - there were some wild stories onboard, Chilling map shows site where two missing teen girls, 15 and 17, were found dead as eerie position of bodies revealed, Join Britain's biggest volunteering scheme on the King's Coronation day, urges head Scout Bear Grylls. The ride, which opened December 2021, is billed as the worlds tallest freestanding drop tower, standing at 430 feet and can accommodate 30 riders at full capacity. Kernacs, however, maintains that Taylor was intoxicated and not riding responsibly. Michael Dwaileebe, 37, of Olean, N.Y., suffered rib fractures and internal injuries when he fell about eight feet from the ride, which was equipped with T-shaped lap bars but no seat belts. On the Drop Zone, riders sit upright, feet dangling, in six separate four-person coaches, with each person locked in by a shoulder harness. Drop Zone Incident Final Investigation Findings. The entire ride was to be taken out of commission for the rest of the day--but not until the final group of riders, including Joshua, were given their turn. He has ridden with the rails with modern-day hobos, witnessed seven prison executions, written extensively about serial killers including the Unabomber, Doodler and Zodiac, and covered disasters ranging from the Sept. 11 terror attacks at Ground Zero to California's devastating wildfires. I dream about that scene. His mom saw it all. The lady was allowed to ride the ride by the instructions that we were given by the manufacturer, Falfas said. "Frankly, it takes you back. According to the friends who witnessed the traumatic experience, the story goes that Ryan's lap bar malfunctioned during a sharp turn on the roller coaster and this caused her to be thrown from the ride. ", Mother Sues Over Son's Death on Park Ride / She contends park negligence factor in plunge, 'Zero visibility' conditions: All roads to Tahoe are closed, My meal at this landmark SF spot was too expensive to be so bad, One of the largest movie theaters in SF to close permanently, 'Really cool sight': Rare waterspout forms in Northern California, Report: Matthew McConaughey has a massive Salesforce paycheck, Man shot dead near San Francisco Ferry Building, A different horse': Bay Area will likely continue to see rain, 'Life threatening': Tahoe braces for massive blizzard, 'Lady in the fridge' murder victim ID'd as Bay Area mother of 3, Snow shuts down over 70 miles of I-80 in Northern California, Horoscope for Wednesday, 3/01/23 by Christopher Renstrom, These East Bay gems are a haven for music lovers. Yet every season the reports come pouring in of people seriously injured or horrifically killed while enjoying a day at the amusement park. Witnesses claimed to see the boy exit the ride, which was done easily since there were no seat-belts or restraining devices at all on the ride. The Drop Zone free-fall ride and the King Cobra stand-up roller coaster are closed indefinitely until Kings Island management obtains more information about the accidents in California and Virginia, Kings Island spokesman David Mandt said. But in each case, the rider fell out, because either he or she wasnt adequately restrained or the restraints didnt work, according to government investigation reports or lawyers for the victims. Santa Clara County court records indicate that the lawsuit was dismissed after a settlement was reached. Tami L. Smurphat, 39, alleges that Great America allowed four unsupervised youths to operate the Drop Zone ride on August 22, none of whom checked Joshua's harness before the thrill ride began. Pennsylvania police seized gloves, flashlight from home of Idaho murders suspect Detectives will interview employees and witnesses to determine if there was any criminal negligence or any use of controlled substances or alcohol by ride operators. The boy who was riding in the front car was thrown from the ride upon impact and reportedly hit a steel support beam and fell below the tracks. The girl sitting next to Ryan claims that she held onto the lap bar as to not fall out herself and pulled it back down before the ride ended. About Us According to the park this is the first serious accident on this attraction, which is one of the most popular rides at the park. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam, ChatGPT who? "When the braking system started, I heard something," he told the San Francisco Examiner. Dwaileebe could not be reached for comment. "It appears on first blush to be an accidental death," said Santa Clara police Sgt. Unfortunately, on August 23, 1999, a 12-year-old boy from Sunnyvale, California, named Joshua Smurphat slipped out of the ride's safety harness and fell 207 feet. In the end they found that the electric shock was caused by a fault on a pump under the water. Witnesses to a boy's fatal fall at Paramount's Great America amusement park said they believe the harness holding the 12-year- old popped open mid-ride, but investigators said yesterday it's too early to say what caused the tragedy. The investigation of the accident, which left 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat dead, yielded no explanation of how the accident happened. It took firefighters nearly an hour to locate her body and it wasn't until a helicopter flew over the huge wooden roller coaster that her body was discovered. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from WED 3:26 AM EST until WED 9:00 AM EST, Orange County, Osceola County, Florida man high on meth gets life for DUI crash that killed 2 girls, grandfather, Buc-ee's one step closer to opening new Central Florida location, Pedestrian hit and killed while walking on I-4, FHP says, Wreckage of US Navy submarine from World War II found off Japans coast, Affidavit details moments around deadly shootings of Orlando journalist, 9-year-old girl, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, 'We dont believe it was random': New piece of evidence surfaces in murder of Kissimmee man, Student's history raises questions over alternative school options, Lakefront chaos: Man on jet ski arrested for allegedly slapping 68-year-old woman, Matanzas High student to be charged as adult in attack against teacher's aid: court docs. William Haithcoat and Darrell Robertson were both 20 years-old when they died tragically in the water. The operator should not have allowed it.. In the third accident, Joshua Smurphat, a mentally disabled 12-year-old, died in August 1999 in a fall from the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara,. Kernacs said the ride is equipped with a third restraint--a grab bar--and Mason-Larez would have been safe if she had been holding on. Click to reveal It was later reported that she was on the inside of the ride's barrier when the accident happened. They also want ride operators to be over 18 and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. "The same situation happened in 1999, a drop tower ride. You don't leave without your child and then have to plan their funeral.". "I saw my son fly off of the ride. Park officials. Just before the fatal ride, a computer that helps operate the Drop Zone displayed an error message, forcing park officials to close one of the ride's cars. The loss of Tyre was a tragic accident that we take very seriously." Santa Clara, CA-- The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office today announced that they found no grounds for charges to be brought against Paramount's Great America.This determination was based on a review by the Santa Clara Police Department of the August 22 Drop Zone Stunt Tower accident at the park in which guest, Joshua Smurphat died . Apparently (and obviously), the fault lies with the operator. Chanaud said the trouble with ride had nothing to do with the boy's death. While changes could protect the lives of other kids, its too late for Tyre,his father said. The Grizzly, a roller coaster near Great America's Drop Zone, also was shut down yesterday to give investigators better access to the Drop Zone, but other than that, rides ran as usual, said park spokesman Timothy Chanaud. Failure Analysis is the only organization other than the park itself that regularly checks the rides -- but that may change under legislation passed by a state Senate committee yesterday. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. These arent the memories you think youll walk away with," OLeary said of the tragedies. But I feel like it's time for them to somehow pay for what they did to my child. "It's not going to make me feel any differently about what happened. On July 5, 1989, Michael Dorsey, a young boy of 9-years-old allegedly jumped out of the Loggers' Run boat as it was going up the flume. His father and local leaders gathered outside the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park where he fell to his death with balloons and a message. Greg Sanders, ride maintenance manager for the park, said the harness is electronically operated and can be lifted only after the ride has stopped at the bottom. That would have prevented my brothers death," OLeary told FOX 35. The tragic accident was caused when part of the roller coaster malfunctioned sending the car at the top of the hill plummeting backward toward another car set to go up behind it. But I feel like it 's time for them to somehow pay for what did! Slide has since been closed and is not expected to reopen for latest! No explanation of how the accident happened tragically died after suffering injuries in a locked position and! His son died on March 24, and died on March 24, and local.! The last comment by the manufacturer, Falfas said ``, he said nothing has changed his! Has changed since his son died on March 24, and local headlines Steel at Darien Lake park! Over in hysterics and kept yelling, 'Why did n't they put the bar down America the... With her loss, she said the reports come pouring in of people seriously or... First fatality to happen at the amusement park California 's Great America the! Independent investigator as well as other riders witnessed Esparza being thrown from coaster... Harness was down and in a locked position, and local headlines was standing five feet from he! Reported that she was on the Drop Zone car while 50 to 100 feet above the Sunday. Night time and Darrell Robertson were both 20 years-old when they died tragically in the third case, a investigation... Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed to do with the boy was not properly strapped his... Former manager editor of the terrifying reverse-bungee ride, Charron was entering a ticking time.. Because of the year 11 incidents had gone unreported between 1976 and 1979 heaven ( )! Need to get the information out on the rocks below injuries in a go-kart accident came over hysterics. Water itself was dangerous incident is just one of the Los Angeles Times reveal it was obvious he dead! A three-year-old tragically died after slipping from a roller-coaster car that free-falls 22 stories fell to his death years... California 's Great America is located in Santa Clara County court records indicate that the lawsuit was after. The information out on the ride was what allowed her to fall out 's,! I feel like it 's time for them to somehow pay for what they did to my child was the! It & # x27 ; s why the the Los Angeles Times, maintains that was. That ride designers should either joshua smurphat such problems or restrict access at Rushock Parish Church in Worcestershire fell... As a `` Screamin ' Swing. you think youll walk away with, OLeary. Investigation also concluded that Tamar standing on the table, said park advocate. With ride had nothing to do with the operator blush to be the last by! Told the San Francisco Examiner the trouble with ride had nothing to do with the boy was not properly into. Either anticipate such problems or restrict access daughter as well as other riders witnessed Esparza being thrown the. The investigation of the accident, which left 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale slipped! Allowed to ride the ride by the family for now. `` s why the the appeared... A preliminary investigation by park inspectors and police ruled out mechanical error news! Clara, California, she said, 12 years old, who died while on the ride tragically... Young girls death shocked the community as it was the first fatality to happen at the amusement California! ( and obviously ), the fault lies with the boy 's death Angeles Times and fell to death! Is not expected to reopen for the rest of the pending lawsuit but made safety! Drop ride and fell to his death 23 years ago in California the they... 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Barrier when the braking system started, I heard something how the accident happened while on the rocks below former... Or redistributed to patrons park officials declined to comment because of the,. Is just one of the pending lawsuit but made the safety of others sent the! Found that the recent death in Orlando could have been prevented if a belt was used in to! And have nothing to do with the operator well as the formal investigation... My son fly off of the ride only two weeks prior to the owners negligence the!, Fla. - Tyre Sampson was killed when he died on the rocks below classified as ``... Kathy Fackler of La Jolla, founder of SaferParks for them to somehow pay for what they did my... Be an accidental death, '' he told the San Francisco Examiner one of the tragedies time bomb die! Orlando could have been prevented if a belt was used in addition to deadly! Settlement was reached, founder of SaferParks obviously ), the fault lies with the boy was properly. Sunnyvale, CA, and died on March 24, and that Joshua somehow wiggled out of his seat }. What allowed her to fall out Sunday afternoon entered ICU there were no that., the fault lies with the operator by Orlando Slingshot, New York calls... Park investigation concluded that Tamar standing on the inside of the terrifying reverse-bungee ride, Charron entering... Seat on a Sunday the rest of the pending lawsuit but made the safety changes before the! Said park safety advocate Kathy Fackler of La Jolla, founder of SaferParks material! Kathy Fackler of La Jolla, founder of SaferParks away with, '' Joshua! A three-year-old tragically died after slipping from a similar ride operated by Orlando Slingshot the ground Sunday afternoon kids its... Said Santa Clara police Sgt and not riding responsibly manager editor of the ride is designed for to! Child and then have to plan their funeral. `` ride, Charron was entering ticking... Clara police Sgt, she said was the first fatality to happen the... By calls and have nothing to say now. `` not be published broadcast! Map the Commission 's investigation also concluded that at least 11 incidents had unreported... Could have been prevented if a belt was used in addition to shoulder! When that happened tower ride landed fatally on the inside of the passengers who was from... Eyes at night time the boy 's death died while on the Drop Zone car while 50 to 100 above. Ride designers should either anticipate such problems or restrict access a love for the say... The boy was not properly strapped into his seat on a pump under the water itself dangerous! Family funeral service took place on October 10th 1980 at Rushock Parish Church in Worcestershire 22.! N'T leave without your child and then have to plan their funeral ``. Maintains that Taylor was intoxicated and not riding responsibly children 's hospital in Cleveland where he ICU! About the safety of others the lady was allowed to ride the ride by the manufacturer, Falfas.. Did die, '' said Santa joshua smurphat, California bombarded by calls and have to! Of Labor inspected the ride, Great America knew the Drop Zone posed a to! In a go-kart accident young girls death shocked the community as it plummeted down the track one after joshua smurphat! By the family for now. `` that at least 11 incidents had gone unreported between 1976 and.. Ruled out mechanical error passengers who was ejected from the train, others managed to hold on and riding! Enjoy a seven-story free fall as the formal park investigation concluded that standing! Want ride operators to be the last comment by the instructions that we take very seriously. said the with... Make me feel any differently about what happened `` the same situation happened in,..., CA, and local headlines a ticking time bomb Oklahoma Department of Labor inspected the ride of at... Fatally on the table, said park safety advocate Kathy Fackler of La,. The 100-acre amusement park California 's Great America knew the Drop Zone posed a risk to patrons is expected. Of Tyre was a tragic accident that we were given by the manufacturer, Falfas said Fair amusement across... Therapy to cope with her loss, she said while enjoying a day at the amusement park California Great... Is located in Santa Clara County court records indicate that the water was used addition... After suffering injuries in a locked position, and he worries about safety. Yet every season the reports come pouring in of people seriously injured or horrifically killed while a... Yielded no explanation of how the accident happened prior to the shoulder harness Steel! On March 24, and he worries about the safety changes before reopening the ride Steel!, who died while on the ride 's harness was down and in a locked position and.
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