[Soundgod]

Teen struck, killed by coaster at theme park, police say - CNN.com

I know this isn't a Disney park, but this is something very very important to remember in any amusement park!
A teen decided to climb the fence to gain access to an area restricted to park employees only, the fenced off area underneath an operating roller coaster, and paid for his negligence with his life. These areas are restricted for a reason, and even park employees are not allowed in these areas when the ride is in operation. Park rides are intended to create fun, but at their core, they are heavy duty industrial machines that are very unforgiving of flesh and bone.
You should NEVER attempt to access any area underneath an operating ride, not even Dumbo. The results can be fatal. You should never let your kids try to climb fences or other barriers designed to keep guest out and keep them safe and you should never do so yourself. If for any reason you have personal property that you dropped while on a ride, notify a park employee, preferably an operator of the ride you were on. Don't try to recover it yourself. I have seen reports where even park employees have been struck and injured or killed because they entered these areas while the ride was in operation. The park will attempt to recover your property while the ride is not operating, but if they can't, you need to bite the bullet and move on. You'll be much happier replacing a $20 hat than you will if you lose a friend or loved one.
Park safety and especially ride safety begins with YOU! Be smart, be careful.
Don't be stupid or careless and don't try to go where you aren't allowed. You'll live longer and keep your body whole.

[DisneyTeacher]

This is so sad. Such a waste for a hat.

[mickeysgirlz]

This very sad ...

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

This very sad ...

It's double sad because an SFoG CM was killed by the same ride because of entry while the ride was in operation.
The park tries to keep people safe, but you can't guard against everything.
Actually, it's horrible and it was avoidable. And now a family is left in pain.

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

It's double sad because an SFoG CM was killed by the same ride because of entry while the ride was in operation.
The park tries to keep people safe, but you can't guard against everything.
Actually, it's horrible and it was avoidable. And now a family is left in pain.

Yes for a $20 hat too . . . kids just don't think . . . gave me goosebumps!

I try to tell my kids . . . think before you act, please!

[Soundgod]

I don't think the park and police are sure if the teen was trying to get a hat or what his reason was for climbing the fence. The hat or something else dropped would be the most likely reason for his actions, but it doesn't even matter why he was there. It only matters that he was where he should never have been and that he had to defeat park safety equipment to do so and that he paid a terrible price for putting his brain on hold.

[Schultzie]

How sad. And how terrifying for the people on the ride that witnessed it! That family will need some prayers.

[Soundgod]

I've ridden five of the Batman The Ride coasters (all are the same layout) and it is possible that most of the riders never even saw a thing. Especially as it's likely this happened while the track was close to the ground where the speeds are greater, otherwise he would never have been hit.
Come to think of it Schultzie, I suspect you've been to SFStL and have probably ridden Batman yourself, so you might be able to picture what happened better than someone who has never ridden Batman. For those that haven't, think Dueling Dragons, Montu, Alpengeist, Silver Bullet, Talon, Raptor, or Great Bear (IOA, BGT, BGW, Knott's, Dorney Park, Cedar Point, or HersheyPark) as examples of this type of coaster.

[hanwill]

They were talking about this on the Atlanta stations this morning, and they said that he was trying to sneak back in through the park after lunch. He was from South Carolina, with a church group, but that his family was in the park.

Just so sad.

[Dana]

How tragic.......My thoughts and prayers are with this family. Such a waste and tragic accident.

Not a Disney thread, but I am going to keep it here...this is something everyone should talk to their child and loves ones about. Something that seems harmless like getting someting that fell off a ride cost someone their life. Talk to you children...tell them what happened.

[Soundgod]

My thinking was to put it in the theme park forum because ride safety is important, whatever park you're in.
One thing someone brought to my attention recently is that a girl died on a looping coaster at a different Six Flags park because she didn't spit her gum out before boarding and she choked on the gum during the course of the ride and died. Teach your kids ride safety and be an example to them. Pay attention to the warnings.
(OK, I admit I ignore the stuff about bad back and neck, but I am doing so at my own risk and experience and would not want my survivors to go after the park for actions that were entirely my own)

[Daisee]

How very tragic.. to say the least. Thanks for posting this Soundgod.. it is a good warning and lesson for many.

[Soundgod]

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Video report from CNN:

According to this report, there were two teens and they were outside the park. They were not even in the park at the time. There is a walkway that leads to parking lots that runs along the edge of the park. Rides are built close to the walkway, but in no way can it be assumed that there is any entry into the park, other than the main gate for guests.
In order for the teen to get himself that close to the ride he had to climb the park's perimeter fence and then climb the attraction fence that is designed to keep any unauthorized persons out.
I hate to say it, but this was a very stupid person who, had he lived, would have been charged with criminal trespass. Besides everything else, we've got some kids that were too lazy to even walk the 600 feet back to the main gate and decided to take a short cut.
This story keeps getting worse for the details. Parents, please teach your children better than this!

[DisneyTeacher]

I wonder what they were doing there. I had read earlier that he was going under the ride to get his hat that he had lost. It wasn't a smart thing to do but he was 17 and we all know that teens don't always think before they act. What a sad situation for everyone involved.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

I hate to say it, but this was a very stupid person who, had he lived, would have been charged with criminal trespass. Besides everything else, we've got some kids that were too lazy to even walk the 600 feet back to the main gate and decided to take a short cut.
This story keeps getting worse for the details. Parents, please teach your children better than this!

I think you're being a bit harsh calling him stupid, he was a kid. I think back to some of the dumb things I did at that age (and older) and it's a wonder I was seriously hurt or worse. Teens don't always make the right choices, they may look like adults but their minds aren't working like an adult. Let's give him and his family a break and not make judgements right now.