12-year-old boy dies on Disney's Rock'n'Roller coaster

[DreadPirateRoberts]

12-year-old boy dies on Disney's Rock'n'Roller coaster at Disney-MGM studios in Orlando, Florida, officials tell CNN.

[Ponine]

I was coming to post the same thing.... I'll keep refreshing

A 12-year-old boy died today after riding the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios theme park, officials said this afternoon.

The boy was declared dead en route to Celebration Hospital after the 11:30 a.m. incident.

Disney said it closed the attraction "pending an investigation. An initial review of the attraction shows the ride was operating normally."

"We offer the family our deepest sympathies," Disney said in an statement about 2:46 p.m. "A company representative is with them providing assistance."

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.

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.

Link to the Orlando Sentinal news story at this time.
The quoted text is the same as the link at this time.

[Ponine]

The CNN article

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A 12-year-old boy died on a roller coaster at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Disney could not be reached for comment, and few details were available.

The boy was unresponsive 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 was given CPR and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities don't know at this time if he was riding by himself or with family members.

The incident occurred at 11:30 a.m. Disney reported the accident to Florida police at 1 p.m.

Disney shut down the ride and an inspector was on site 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 0-60 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."

One month ago, another child died on the Disney ride "Mission Space" at the Epcot Center.

[Gemini Cricket]

Holy crap!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

This is awful....I can't believe how many deaths have been happening in recent years that are NOT due to guest stupidity. I feel awful for his family.

[Alex]

But, at least at Disney World, they also haven't been because of Disney stupidity. I'm wondering if the rate of deaths is really all that different or if we just live in a world now where anytime someone died with a day or two of visiting Walt Disney World we will hear about it.

[sleepyjeff]

That is a good point Alex. I wouldn't even know where to begin how to run the numbers but I have to wonder if the general population outside of Disneyworld is dying at any lower rate than those who are in Disneyworld.

[Ponine]

Both articles are now different than originally quoted. (Links still work)

[CoasterMatt]

They just don't make kids like they used to

[Alex]

I blame home schooling.