Danger:Amusement park rides

MyBlueEyes

MyBlueEyes

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Girl losing feet in amusement park ride in stable condition:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 13-year-old girl whose feet were severed in an accident on an amusement park ride is in stable condition in a Nashville, Tenn., hospital, her family said in a written statement today.

Kaitlyn Lasitter, whose name had not previously been released by officials, was riding the Superman Tower of Power ride Thursday at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville when a cable broke loose on the ride, cutting off the girl's feet above the ankles, authorities said.

State officials were investigating the incident.

"The parents of Kaitlyn Lasitter would like to acknowledge everyone across the country that have been supporting their daughter with many positive thoughts and prayers over the last six days," according to the statement, which was issued through Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Authorities and the hospital have declined to say whether her feet were reattached. The statement included a plea for privacy for the girl's family, and the family has instructed the hospital not to comment further.

The family's statement said no one from the theme park had contacted them since the accident, as park representatives had told reporters. "At no time has any representative of the theme park been in touch with members of the family," the statement said.

Wendy Goldberg, a spokeswoman for Six Flags in New York, disputed that account. Goldberg said two representatives from Kentucky Kingdom went to the hospital following the accident and stayed for "some time" before the Lasitter family asked them to leave. She would not say who the representatives were.

"We are deeply saddened by this incident and of course have genuine concern for the well-being of the entire family. We stand ready to be of any assistance we possibly can," said Kentucky Kingdom spokeswoman Carolyn McClean.

The ride passed inspection in each of the past four years, according to records. The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops them nearly the same distance at speeds reaching 54 mph.

Six Flags shut down similar rides at parks in St. Louis; Gurnee, Illinois; and near Washington as a safety precaution, Goldberg said. Those rides remained closed today, and were to undergo safety inspections..

Six Flags Over Texas, near Dallas, also has a Superman Tower of Power, but it is not the same ride, Goldberg said.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. of Sandusky, Ohio, also shut down drop tower rides at five of its amusement parks for inspection after the accident.



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I hope she gets better quickly and is able to walk again and life a normal life. Pray for her ...poor little girl ... :hug::hug:
 
wow... that's fucking creepy.. O_O i feel so bad for the poor girl.. at the least, she's all right and, hopefully, gets well much sooner. :( :give her hearty :hug::

funny, it reminds me of Final Destination 3 movie. (0.o)
 
I have heard about the unfortunate event. I have been to 6 Flags - Kentucky Kingdom so many times. The ride that is now called Superman Tower of Power used to be "Hellavator". I believe that ride has been in operation for around 10 years or so. I have to wonder, Just how often the ride was inspected and how well and how often was it inspected? I'm wondering how many parts of this machine were original, parts that would have been in much use in 10 years or replaced as well?

It's sad to see that the girl was only going on the ride for a fun and at the end, had to be severed by the ankle. I cannot imagine the betrayal of going on a "thrill" ride and getting maimed in such a horrific way. Regardless of culpability, I hope Six-Flags is planning on helping this girl for the long term.
 
I read about that this one just recently, a little girl got her feet cut off riding a Superman ride at Kentucky Kingdom.
 
Those are sad stories; they are not a danger to me because I refuse to get on any of them, lol.
 
These are horrible, horrible accidents, and I feel for all of the victims and their families. It is unfortunate that amusement parks keep coming up with more dangerous rides and amusements every year because the public demands it. It is a competitive business, and they are all trying to outdo each other with bigger, more dangerous rides to keep people flocking in.
 
I've never liked crazy rides like the ones people have been getting hurt on. I say we just shut them all down. :rifle:
 
morbid-mongoose said:
I've never liked crazy rides like the ones people have been getting hurt on. I say we just shut them all down. :rifle:
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Not a bad idea. But the people that engage in that kind of risk taking behavior will just find another way to satisfy their impulses!
 
Thrill rides overall are safe and thorough safety precautions are taken. I love roller coasters and anything similar. I'd trust my life in those moreso than in my own car.
 
I know accidents could happen anytime and anywhere. I'm truly sorry what happened to that 13 years old teen, It's a frighten image that would happen to anyone, but I would not let that stop me from riding my favorite ride, which that is roller coasters.
 
hohDougRN said:
Thrill rides overall are safe and thorough safety precautions are taken. I love roller coasters and anything similar. I'd trust my life in those moreso than in my own car.
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On a general note, yes. But the rides keep getting more and more risky, and maintenance seems to be causing problems. In your own car, or on a thrill ride, you are still at the mercy of someone other than yourself. Just because you are a safe driver doesn't mean every one on the road is, and just because one park has a similar ride that is maintained well, doesn't mean they all do. Get on an bungeee cord jump, and it is a risk you accept. Get on the road in bad weather with several others on the road, and it still is a risk you accept.
 
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