[sandanv1]

Records: Man, 30, died after Disney ride in April
Sentinel Staff Writer

July 22, 2005, 4:06 PM EDT

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- A 30-year-old Indiana man who wore a pacemaker lost consciousness and later died at a hospital after going on the Dinosaur ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom in April, according to records released today by the state.

Ryan Norman of Mooresville, Ind., complained that he wasn't feeling well and later died at a hospital, according to documents released from the Bureau of Fair Rides and Exhibitions and the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office. He was the second person to die after going on a Walt Disney World ride between April and June 2005.

An investigative report indicated that the April 30 ride didn't play a role in Norman's death since he had a history of heart problems, said Sheri Blanton, senior program manager at the medical examiner's office.

A Disney spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call today.

A 4-year-old Pennsylvania boy, Daudi Bamuwamye, died June 13 after riding Epcot's "Mission: Space," which simulates a shuttle ride to Mars. The cause of the boy's death remains under investigation.

A 16-year-old British girl remained in a hospital in critical condition today after suffering a stroke July 12 shortly after she exited the "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror," which depicts a haunted hotel elevator ride.

Earlier this year, A 77-year-old Minnesota woman, Gloria Land, died in February after riding the Magic Kingdom's "Pirates of the Caribbean." A medical examiner's report said Land was in poor health from diabetes and several ministrokes and her death "was not unexpected."

Florida's major theme parks are not directly regulated by the state, but reached an agreement with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2001 to report any serious injuries.

[Peppertink]

I'm sorry for both family members loss. However, it looks like the Sentinal is just looking to give WDW more bad press by sensationalizing this sad story....

[Dana]

My there is a black clood over WDW. All of these incidents seem to show prior health or heat realted issues to me, but what do I know? I'm not a doctor.

[jodilt]

I am very sorry for the families who have had to go through this. However, having said that, rides at WDW have warning signs telling you not to ride if you have heart problems, back problems, etc. While I know some of these tragic deaths where completely unexpected, others got on the rides knowing of the risks and their own physical condition. WDW should not be drug through the mud because a guest made a poor choice. Just another example of how poor the media is these days.

[Dana]

What disturbs me about all these incidents is the quick accusation that it happened "after riding" such and such an attraction. Kinda making it seem that the attraction killed them....that's not exactly fair is it? I am sorry for all these families, but just don't see how the ride killed them. All of them were sick or had conditions prior to riding the ride. How much do you think the horrible heat we have been having has to do with it? In NJ we are having yeat another heat wave and people are dying from it. No one says "fred died after gettting off the bus" It explained as fred had a heat stroke etc and died. I just really had the bad publicity they are getting. People dying, excpecially young kids, is sad enough, why try and place blame on WDW unless the ride actually killed them and in that case, why aren't they reading the signs that say what conditions should make you avoid a ride.

[Ready2Go]

It is very sad that these horrible things happen while these families are trying to have a great vacation at Disney. Unfortunately with the large number of people going to Disney the odds are that someone with an unknown health problem, or even someone with a known problem, will have it affect them while at Disney. Just my 2 cents worth because I could not imagine losing a loved one in such a manner. My heart breaks for the families.

[Disneywife]

My dad, who is 76 and has a pacemaker, went on Soarin (and loved it). I wonder if he shouldn't have.

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

My dad, who is 76 and has a pacemaker, went on Soarin (and loved it). I wonder if he shouldn't have.

Soarin is pretty tame..I think..especially compared to the jerkyness and bumpyness of Dinosaur

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by Dana

What disturbs me about all these incidents is the quick accusation that it happened "after riding" such and such an attraction. Kinda making it seem that the attraction killed them....that's not exactly fair is it? I am sorry for all these families, but just don't see how the ride killed them. All of them were sick or had conditions prior to riding the ride. How much do you think the horrible heat we have been having has to do with it? In NJ we are having yeat another heat wave and people are dying from it. No one says "fred died after gettting off the bus" It explained as fred had a heat stroke etc and died. I just really had the bad publicity they are getting. People dying, excpecially young kids, is sad enough, why try and place blame on WDW unless the ride actually killed them and in that case, why aren't they reading the signs that say what conditions should make you avoid a ride.

Well said Dana.

I also find it interesting that many of these articles mention that the parks are not state regulated. It makes me wonder if someone is taking advantage of these tragic events, and trying to swing a political move to have them state regulated. I'm not sure what the state could have done differently about pre-existing conditions, or why it even needs to be mentioned that the state doesn't regulate. Sure, if these deaths and injuries were results of an equiptment malfunction, then I'd see why it would be mentioned-- Just thinking out loud.

[mickaholic4077]

I think the reason why the Sentinel tries to drag up every negative thing about WDW that it can is during the early 60's when Walt was buying land on the QT for Disney World,the editor(or publisher,I'm not sure which) knew about it and didn't publish it,so Walt could buy land cheaper. They have been trying to make up for that ever since. That is one reason I don't trust the Sentinel.

[tiggerfan74]

Originally Posted by Dana

What disturbs me about all these incidents is the quick accusation that it happened "after riding" such and such an attraction. Kinda making it seem that the attraction killed them....that's not exactly fair is it? I am sorry for all these families, but just don't see how the ride killed them. All of them were sick or had conditions prior to riding the ride. How much do you think the horrible heat we have been having has to do with it? In NJ we are having yeat another heat wave and people are dying from it. No one says "fred died after gettting off the bus" It explained as fred had a heat stroke etc and died. I just really had the bad publicity they are getting. People dying, excpecially young kids, is sad enough, why try and place blame on WDW unless the ride actually killed them and in that case, why aren't they reading the signs that say what conditions should make you avoid a ride.

I agree Dana. I am sorry for all these families, but it seems like someone really wants to hurt Disney's image.

[tiggerfan74]

Originally Posted by daisyd

Well said Dana.

I also find it interesting that many of these articles mention that the parks are not state regulated. It makes me wonder if someone is taking advantage of these tragic events, and trying to swing a political move to have them state regulated. I'm not sure what the state could have done differently about pre-existing conditions, or why it even needs to be mentioned that the state doesn't regulate. Sure, if these deaths and injuries were results of an equiptment malfunction, then I'd see why it would be mentioned-- Just thinking out loud.

I noticed that too. Every article has said that!

[Dana]

What I find even more amazing is that in this year alone we are hearing about all these accidents and deaths. Surely these aren't the first times for these things to ever happen. With all the guests that stay there in one year, it would be impossible for nothing like this to ever happen. It just seems that this kind of information is getting more play than normal to me. This is why I don't read the paper or watch the news. EVeryone thrives from misery and that's all that seems to be reported. Who says you can believe it all anyway?

[tiggerfan74]

Yes, it is sad. Tell me about it. I don't even like watching the news anymore!

[Cavey]

I don't know what the Sentinal hopes to accomplish. If Disney were directly responsible for these deaths, they would have cause to point a finger.

But pretend the hidden inuendoes hit their mark...Orlando tourism would drop. People would lose jobs. No one gains from this.

Oh, and the Sentinal would blame it all on Disney.