Coaster riders question safety steps

[wdlove]

Woman says she lost grip on man who fell to death

By Connie Paige, Globe Correspondent *|* May 7, 2004

Eyewitnesses to the roller-coaster accident that claimed the life of a Connecticut man last Saturday say that Six Flags New England employees did not check to see whether Stanley Mordarsky's lap restraint and seat belt were secure before the Superman Ride of Steel took off from the loading dock.

One eyewitness said that after Mordarsky initially popped out of his seat, she grabbed the back of his pants and held on. But when the ride hit a dizzying curve, Faith Thomas of Raymond, N.H., said, she lost her grip. Mordarsky catapulted out of the seat sideways, smashed into the rail, and spun to the ground to his death.

"The G-force was just too much," said Thomas, 39, who wept yesterday as she recalled how Mordarsky was yanked out of her hands. "If the attendants had strapped him in right and pushed the bar down, he would still be here."

This story was very similar to "CSI Crime Scene Investigation: Runaway Train" 9pm EDT Thursday

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/05/07/coaster_riders_question_safety_steps/

 

[question fear]

scary....
ive taken that ride, i dont know what i'd do if someone fell out while iw as riding it.
this is why i practically clamp my hands to the bar.

 

[windowsblowsass]

there should be some way that riders can iniate an emergecy stop on rides

 

[Sun Baked]

There are problems even with the rides that really go nowhere, the Mission: Space ride at Disneyworld is having problems with the old-fart crowd -- heart attacks and frail old bodies.

But it is quite important for rides that really need the safety gear to keep park patrons inside the vehicle for the employees to check EVERY rider to make sure the equipment is engaged before sending them out.

You'd think these workers would know that there's always a change that there's a moron on the ride that can't follow directions, and it's their job to prevent them from going splat.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

And guess what, they are blaming the guys weight on the accident also.

 

[wdlove]

I feel very sorry for Ms. Thomas, having tried to save him but lost her grip. Can't even imagine how that must have felt.

Besides being overweight Mr. Modarsky had cerebral palsy. The Six Flags spokesperson said that they followed all the guidelines set for the disabled, "They have to be able to walk to the ride on their own and be able to sit up in the seat."

 

[Sparky's]

there should be some way that riders can iniate an emergecy stop on rides

Unfortunately as in subways, there would always be some idiot who would activate the emergency stop just to see what happens. The park worker should be facing severe consequences for not performing his safety proceedure properly (saying it mildly). If the ride would be programed not to function unless "ALL" the safety features were checked before launch, then it might gaurantee a "safe" ride.