Great Adventure Outpost
Industry => Industry News => Topic started by: darkridedan on June 28, 2008, 05:05:08 PM
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CNN just reported that a teenage boy was decapitated after going into Batman: The Ride's track area.
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http://www.wsbtv.com/news/16736653/detail.html
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horrible that it happened, but the area is fenced off for a reason. but yet another kick in the balls for six flags and the amusement industry. even though it had nothing to do with riding the ride of safety itself, people will think another death means that the park isnt safe.
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Except, except, except...just like should the tiger have been able to leap the fence at the San Fran zoo (it turned out the fence was lower than standards required), should teens be able to leap fences around restricted coaster areas? Isn't it quite possible the fence was too low? I am in no way defending the kids here, but it appears to me the company and park may have a problem here...how DID that kid get in that area (and apparently other kids as well)? And think about this, it would appear that a rider's foot contacted the boy....was that rider hurt? Can you imagine living with that? How truly awful...one minute you are sitting there happily riding minding your own business, and then....
Same thing apparently happened at Great America in California on Top Gun, at the time the guest in the train suffered a broken leg, if memory serves.
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Great Nor easter killed a park employee after being hit in the head by a riders foot. That rider had a broken foot afterwards so that might be what you were thinking of.
This really does suck though. Both for the industry as Nitroblast pointed out and for the poor soul that had the unfortunate luck of hitting this person.
I know where you are going wow but a fence is a fence. And the warning signs are very clear. I remember Six Flags going bonkers over the last few years adding these signs around every single ride so there is no way there wasn't a warning within 5 feet of this kid.
Sadly, the park will probably be found at fault regardless and have to settle out of court.
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They certainly have not settled out of court with the Lassiter family at Kentucky Kingdom, and that case appears far different from this one...what did Ms. Lassiter do other than get on the ride? I would hope they would NOT settle a case like this Batman incident out of court, given what we know so far...in this case, the victim appears to have voluntarily placed himself in harm's way, quite literally.
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If anything, the rider that was presumably injured (no reports yet though) should be filing a lawsuit against the family of the kid that entered the zone. But most likely they will sue Six Flags since he managed to get in there.
The Lassiter situation is largely different since they are dealing with a ride malfunction but I see your point. I'm really curious to see where they go with this. A LOT will depend on the type of family this child comes from. Of course, there is no excuse and Six Flags deserves the book if the fence were not the right height because that would really be no different than leaving the gate open.
Somehow though, I don't think they will be able to find fault with the park. This is just a horrible horrible accident.
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Teenager + Saturday guest = trouble waiting to happen. ANYWAY, another accident happened at Batman at SFoG when a maintenance worker parked his truck in the path of an oncoming train.
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This article clears up if there were any other injuries. Somehow, nobody else was injured.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/06/28/theme.park.fatality/index.html
Something tells me we aren't getting the whole story. Perhaps he was hit by the actual train itself where there were no riders?
This is just horrible. I agree Dan, guests check their brain at the gate. Especially kids on a Saturday.
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The Six Flags official statement;
Six Flags Statement on Teen's Decapitation
Last Edited: Saturday, 28 Jun 2008, 5:33 PM EDT
Created: Saturday, 28 Jun 2008, 5:33 PM EDT
Six Flags Over Georgia
A 17-year old park visitor scaled two six-foot fences that secured the Batman roller coaster and was struck and killed by the coaster at approximately 2 p.m. today. We do not know why this person was intent on gaining access to this restricted area, as multiple signs clearly state: Danger Zone / Do Not Enter / Authorized Personnel Only.
Some witnesses have stated that the individual was trying to retrieve something he had lost. Others reported that he was trying to touch the ride. This is merely speculation at this point, and we are working with park visitors and local police to learn more. No guests on the ride were injured. The visitor?s family was at the park with him, and Six Flags representatives are currently with the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icJKWwVpBMEbT5HEKFrs_UBNUgWQD91JCRDO0
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It is a very sad situation . I logged on to AOL and there is a shot of TDK with one of our own members in the train... Cycloneman ... Go log on to see it . I hope it is not his brother I am pretty sure it is him though. I read the release on AOL news and to me I say it is the kids fault for being there BUT we all know that the park is going to be sued . I feel for the family of this kid but we have all seen the stupid things these kids do at the parks .
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Here is that link coastermom - http://news.aol.com/story/_a/teen-decapitated-by-six-flags-coaster/20080628184409990001?icid=100214839x1204956316x1200214403
They goofed (as usual) and used a picture of a "similar" batman ride from Great Adventure. Meanwhile, the "similar" ride at SFOG is inverted, has a different name, goes upsidedown, is built by a different manufacturer and is outdoors. Sigh...
Its only a matter of time before the accident in NJ from the 80's is brought into this or Ed Markey.
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two 6 foot fences
we will no be seeing 10 foot fences in all parks,audio warnings and giant signs.
Its like come on people know NOT to WALK IN TO A MOVING TRAIN in any given town.
This person may have been intoxicated or just crazy.
But the park will be blamed the stock my fall :-[ and my wife will really not want to get on a coaster.
yes those pics are just "stock photos"
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I guarantee a new memo will go out to all ride employees and maintenance employees. This is one thing Six Flags does quickly--make things even more idiot proof after the actions of one individual. A few years ago I posted on another site that walls should have been put up around the low lying areas of Batman when the park made changes after the SFMM employee stood on the tracks of Scream when an oncoming train hit her.
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Ed Markey Mark is gonna have another field day. Even though this is just visitor supidity, Im sure he is going to have a new bill written by monday for some regulations on fences.
And this event should not happen. Seriously. Even if somebody would jump the fence, to retrieve something, they would have at least checked for the train.
Then again, if its the attempting to grab somebody theory, its even worse. Six Flags can't do anything to prevent stupidity like this.
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Really? I hate to say it, but why would not a taller fence have worked?
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I'm sure it would have, but teens can jump anything these days. Although sounding like a feat, a taller fence is still jumpable.
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Maybe they should have used electric fences.
Then again that's another reason to sue.
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^^^ Seriously, a bigger fence? Not only did he jump one, but two 6ft fences. Next you'll tell me they should enclose the ride in a cage. If it's going to save a life, I'm all for the electric fence Ken
"Stupid is as stupid does" Forrest Gump 1994
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http://news.aol.com/story/_a/teen-decapitated-by-six-flags-coaster/20080628184409990001?icid=100214839x1204956316x1200214403
...I don't see me....
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That's because they have changed the photo...after being advised of their error, no doubt. Which brings up one of my pet peeves. It was the Gary Story Six Flags administration that changed an early Premier Parks policy. Premier was the company that bought Six Flags (and had been previously a real estate company named Tierco). Premier Parks had been VERY proud that it was wise enough not to name all its parks with the chain moniker (just like Cedar Fair has not called it Cedar Fair's Park Name...like Cedar Fair's Kings Island). In fact, they removed the Paramount's from the former CBS parks, taking a step in the other direction.
Just like what happened after the Louisville incident, many, many people in places from New Jersey to California will know that this most recent tragedy happened at their local Six Flags. To make things worse, since there are so many Batman rides, they will be certain of it and it happened on that Batman, right there. Heck, AOL has already pulled a stock Dark Knight photo and used it to illustrate the trains in Georgia.
Naming different things the same has advantages, but it also has huge disadvantages. What is bad and happens at one affects them all.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution article has been significantly revised and updated:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2008/06/28/six_flags_death.html
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http://news.aol.com/story/_a/teen-decapitated-by-six-flags-coaster/20080628184409990001?icid=100214839x1204956316x1200214403
...I don't see me....
They changed the photo... IT was a photo fo the dark knight and I am pretty sure you and someone else were in orange t shirts riding the ride . I guess someone must have realized it was the wrong photo for the ride in question .
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Yes, it was Dainan and Tom from Dark Knights media day. They likely fixed the error since six flags doesn't appreciate mistakes like this.
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FOX kept showing Goliath this morning and when a train of riders went by, one of the blonde clones said, "I hope I didn't just see people on that ride." She also kept asking why the park wasn't closed. Do we keep highways closed the day after an accident?
When we see how retarded the media is when it comes to amusement parks, imagine how bad they are with important stories. No wonder they are so surprised the day after a presidential election!
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You see, Fox was reporting that Goliath was actually just giving a terroristic fist bump to its wife.
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A bit more:
http://www.my58.com/news/16741134/detail.html
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I see a Darwin Awards candidate here :P.
I'm sorry (not), but i don't have any sympathy whatsoever for this guy.
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More on this:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2008/06/29/sixflags_0630_web2.html
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Yes, it was Dainan and Tom from Dark Knights media day. They likely fixed the error since six flags doesn't appreciate mistakes like this.
See I am not nutty I thought I knew those faces ...
On to reading more of this story ... The parents say they don't blame the park but I am sure there will be a law suite somewhere along the line. TO me the park isn't to blame there were TWO fences there and I am sure lots of signs . It is pretty amazing nobody else was hurt ... Thank God.
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A 6 foot fence is pretty high, the warning signs should set the alarm bells off that maybe i shouldn't go in there. Its sad but I have little sympathy.
Anybody know the motives behind the fence-jump?
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It looks like the motive was not walking around to the front of the park to use the entrance gate. They were at the picnic ground ajacent to the parking lot and felt it would be faster to jump two fences - one of which was the parimeter iron pointed fence? Then they had to get by the actual ride area fence.
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http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8580338
which then gets totally misinterpreted here:
Lawsuit After Coaster Death (that's the headline on the story):
http://www.wcbd.com/midatlantic/cbd/news.apx.-content-articles-CBD-2008-07-01-0008.html
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You can tell the $ hungry lawyers got to the parents.
Their tune has kind of changed.
I don't know how they can overcome a nomination for a Darwin Award (http://www.darwinawards.com/slush/new/pending20080628-143218.html) !
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The fence is only six feet tall is this laywer kidding me ?? OMG I just can't stand MONEY HUNGRY Laywers . Why isn't anyone asking WHY did this kid climb two fences to get that close to the ride ?? Are we the only sane people left ? Sorry after reading that I had to rant alittle ..
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On top of that, Six Flags Over Georgia now has to keep Batman The Ride closed because of this moron.
Honestly, (and I know this isn't exactly PC but still) if I were Six Flags I would sue the family of this kid. He has helped contribute to what was already a horrific stock situation. He has scarred the lives of many for the rest of their lives (including the operators). He has reduced capacity at the park for three days now while a key attraction is down; which further erodes into guest satisfaction. And finally, among other things, he has tarnished the reputation of the company as a whole since Six Flags is used hand in hand across the entire country.
If this goes to court, coaster enthusiasts across the country should stage a protest outside the courthouse lol
Yes, I feel bad for the family and yes I feel bad for anybody that witnessed this horrible accident but if anything comes of this, I have completely lost all hope and faith in our judicial system.
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What? Do you know that kid
or something?
I hope his pants get caught
and a bloodbath ensues.
What is with you today?
Don't get me wrong.
I don't wish the kid harm
but his mother should suffer
that horrific ordeal
so she'll learn
how to manage her child.
That's sort of a harsh lesson,
don't you think?
There's not a year goes by
that I don't read about
a Roller Coaster accident
involving some bastard kid
that could've been
easily avoided
had some parent
I don't care which one,
but some parent,
conditioned him
to fear and respect
that Roller Coaster!
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http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=118029&catid=3
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Respect that escalator!
And I'm glad "The existing signage, the Labor Department found, does meat state and national standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials."
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Does anybody else find the name of that TV station in the link above ironic?
Bubba, I'm emotionally unstable right now because I'm in the middle of a life altering change so don't question me LOL And YES, stupid people piss me off. As was evident at Great Adventure today!!!
I lost all respect when the word lawsuit was brought into this. I'm still not sure I blame the family for that though.
Ken, aside from the "meat" quote, this was my favorite comment; which was after the article White, Black or Mocha he still falls under the idiot category.
I LOVE IT! lol
This is so sad. It breaks my heart (I'm being serious now). We pray regularly and sadly it seems society as a whole is where the prayer is really needed. I sincerely hope this family manages to get through this and find peace. I know I'd probably be blaming the entire world right now as well. It just sucks that greedy slimy lawyers have to get involved - which sorta shocks me since Six Flags has no money!
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Yeah, but Six Flags' insurer does have money...and that's who the lawyers know will end up paying any judgments....
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Thanks for the links Wow. The final piece of the puzzle was put in place for me to think, 'figures!' although if this happened on a Friday I guess I wouldn't be too surprised either!
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Looks like were gonna need watchdogs and snipers to make sure nobody hops the fence....
The push for bigger signs is silly if you ask me...
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It is amazing how a news agency can publish an artilce and say that something "meats" standards.
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Please Disregard That We're Not Blaming The Park Thing:
http://overlawyered.com/2008/07/please-disregard-that-were-not-blaming-the-park-thing/
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I guess out of this we will now need to make fences 20 ft. high, barbed wire, and 5 ft. trenches on the other side. Maybe then idiots won't be able to get into ride areas anymore.
This whole thing is ridiculous. It all could have been avoided if common sense was used. WAIT, Six Flags Guests DON'T HAVE IT! (Not you guys, the GP...)
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It is truly amazing that this kid would still be alive today had he just waited in line to get back into the park. IT is truly even more amazing that a lawyer is so money hungry that he will not put the parents through more heartache if this goes to trial . These parents are also looking for dollars now that he has gotten his claws into them .
I agree with Wade we as rollercoaster fans should Picket if this goes to trial . Anyone with Common SENCE see's this is a joke lawsuit and it should be handled as such.
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SF Pulls Advertising From Atlanta Radio Station After Insensitive Comments Post Death on Batman:
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2008/07/02/72_six_flags_pu.html
Ride re-opens:
http://www.macon.com/220/story/394229.html
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You got to be kidding me....
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Teen's Death Leads To Sign Change at SFOG:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icJKWwV...BNUgWQD91MDG780
One British paper put it a little less delicately:
http://www.britainnews.net/story/378376
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Extreme Danger?
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2 fences couldn't stop this kid. What makes them think a new sign would have? ::)
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What happens to the real idiots who can't read ..gasp!!!!