Woman Dies after Falling from Dixie Landin' coaster

This is so sad. From the reports I've read, it looks like she wasn't properly restrained. There are pictures of her up on some of the reports now. She was a big girl and probably shouldn't have been allowed to ride (I am in no way insinuating this was her fault at all).

When people complain that the restraints on rides are too tight for larger individuals to ride, this is why. And believe me after gaining 40 lbs in vet school I'm in no position to judge anyone's weight, just saying that when a park pushes the restrictions to the limit, things like this can happen. Add a poorly trained/careless ride op and you have a recipe for disaster (I realize that we do not know if this was the case here yet, just speaking in general terms).

She also has a facebook page you can look up if you'd like. It was sad to read it - made her much more of a person and not just a name in a news story.

Here's 2 reports with her picture:

http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/12/woman-dies-after-falling-out-of-roller-coaster-in-baton-rouge-l

http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=12788923

Jen

Devastating. I really don't know what to say... Sadly enough, she posted this as her status on facebook only 2 months ago:

CHILLEN FILLING OUT APP...FEELING LIKE SOMETHING GOOD IS SOON TO HAPPEN TO ME..WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
May 13 at 11:38pm

May her soul rest in peace.

I don't know if others do this, but I always double check the restraint. I also really like how Disney makes you check your own restraint on many of their roller coasters.

This poster has what I think is now my second-favorite screen name! That1stdropsadoozy! Terrific. And her home park is GrAdv!

Up Chuck, you're still first!

Mike

* This Post Has Been Modified *

> I don't know if others do this, but I always double check
> the restraint. I also really like how Disney makes you
> check your own restraint on many of their roller coasters.

You got me thinking about that. I realize that I do it every time. Maybe it's sub-conscious, maybe not. Maybe just force of habit...like making sure my pouch is still under my shirt AFTER a ride. I realized I even do it on the junior JUNIOR coasters. Never hurts to be sure.

Mike

> I don't know if others do this, but I always double check
> the restraint. I also really like how Disney makes you
> check your own restraint on many of their roller coasters.

> You got me thinking about that. I realize that I do it
> every time. Maybe it's sub-conscious, maybe not. Maybe just
> force of habit...like making sure my pouch is still under
> my shirt AFTER a ride. I realized I even do it on the
> junior JUNIOR coasters. Never hurts to be sure.

> Mike

I had to think about this for a few minutes but I do it too - I suppose it's like second nature for those of us who ride a lot.

Jen

> I don't know if others do this, but I always double check
> the restraint. I also really like how Disney makes you
> check your own restraint on many of their roller coasters.

> You got me thinking about that. I realize that I do it
> every time. Maybe it's sub-conscious, maybe not. Maybe just
> force of habit...like making sure my pouch is still under
> my shirt AFTER a ride. I realized I even do it on the
> junior JUNIOR coasters. Never hurts to be sure.

> Mike

Now if only you could remember to check to make sure you left your wallet in the car ...

Interesting. The Maurer Sohne do seems to have issues with large riders and actually one "fell off" at Disneyland Paris Crush Coaster. What happened is that this large guy felt he wasn't restrained properly, so, during the ride, he managed to get out of the seat and happened to land on one of the walkway next to the ride! Since then, Disneyland Paris has added lap bars sensors with go-no go light at dispatch and ride ops stapling every rider. Spinball Whizzer at Alton Towers requires 3 clicks on the lap bar to ride, etc.

Maurer Sohne will need to address and maybe force all the parks operating their spinning coasters to add the lap bar sensors.

> I don't know if others do this, but I always double check
> the restraint. I also really like how Disney makes you
> check your own restraint on many of their roller coasters.

I'm safety conscious, and I always do this anyways...

> Now if only you could remember to check to make sure you
> left your wallet in the car ...

Or keys.

Mike

> Maurer Sohne will need to address and maybe force all the
> parks operating their spinning coasters to add the lap bar
> sensors.

I do not agree. If this incident is exactly what it sounds like then this isn't a ride defect or a manufacturer problem. This is operator error and to a far lesser extent rider error.

It's the operators job to check to see that the restraints are locked prior to dispatch. In my opinion it's also our job to double check the restraint. Do you really trust an 18-year-old with your life? I didn't think so. Again, I love Disney's "push up on your lap bar" or "tug on the yellow safety strap" approach. All parks should do this to get riders used to checking their own restraint.

Operators also need to be trained to be on the lookout for riders who may not fit the restraint system.

Lap bar sensors sounds like a Disney modification, which is typical of Disney, so they can keep capacity high.

> Maurer Sohne will need to address and maybe force all the
> parks operating their spinning coasters to add the lap bar
> sensors.

> I do not agree. If this incident is exactly what it sounds
> like then this isn't a ride defect or a manufacturer
> problem. This is operator error and to a far lesser extent
> rider error.

> It's the operators job to check to see that the restraints
> are locked prior to dispatch. In my opinion it's also our
> job to double check the restraint. Do you really trust an
> 18-year-old with your life? I didn't think so. Again, I
> love Disney's "push up on your lap bar" or
> "tug on the yellow safety strap" approach. All
> parks should do this to get riders used to checking their
> own restraint.

> Operators also need to be trained to be on the lookout for
> riders who may not fit the restraint system.

> Lap bar sensors sounds like a Disney modification, which is
> typical of Disney, so they can keep capacity high.
>

I agree with you. On the other hand, Maurer already includes the lap bar sensors on some later installations, along with a visual guide on the restraint. There is a yellow mark at the hitch where the lap bar pivots and if the bar doesn't reach the yellow mark, you cannot ride. In the case of England's two custom Maurer spinners, its 3 clicks.

Did Xtreme have all those things to assist the ride operators so they can determine if a particular rider can ride? B&M uses seat belts on its OTSR, sensors on its hyper coaster, Intamin seatbelts and sensors, etc.

Eric said: “It's the operators job to check to see that the restraints are locked prior to dispatch. In my opinion it's also our job to double check the restraint. Do you really trust an 18-year-old with your life? I didn't think so.”

Not sure what it is, but I seem to be agreeing with Eric a lot lately. ;) It’s almost second nature for me to just give a quick push on my lap bar/OTSR to make sure it is locked. While being flung to my death from a coaster would be dying “doing what I love”, I’d rather leave the park in one piece and live to ride another day. It doesn’t require much effort at all and I know that I’m safe for that ride (well, unless it’s an Intamin…).

The “trusting an 18-year old with our life” comment is definitely spot on. When I was Cedar Point a few weeks back, I notice that ride ops are still supposed to say “Check” as they check each rider’s safety restraint. Problem is, on some rides that seemed to be all they were doing. On Maverick, the girl came by and tapped my OTSR without even checking my seat belt and whispered “check” as she walked by. Being an Intamin ride, I made sure I was secure. Over at Iron Dragon, the completely disinterested employees muttered something as they barely brushed each OTSR. I realize Iron Dragon isn’t going to do much damage to me, but still, I always thought “safety is our #1 priority”. Granted these kids are getting paid minimum wage, but it’s part of their job to make sure riders are safe. Or so I thought it was.

> Eric said: “It's the operators job to check to see that
> the restraints are locked prior to dispatch. In my opinion
> it's also our job to double check the restraint. Do you
> really trust an 18-year-old with your life? I didn't think
> so.”

> Not sure what it is, but I seem to be agreeing with Eric a
> lot lately. ;) It’s almost second nature for me to just
> give a quick push on my lap bar/OTSR to make sure it is
> locked. While being flung to my death from a coaster would
> be dying “doing what I love”, I’d rather leave the
> park in one piece and live to ride another day. It
> doesn’t require much effort at all and I know that I’m
> safe for that ride (well, unless it’s an Intamin…).

> The “trusting an 18-year old with our life” comment is
> definitely spot on. When I was Cedar Point a few weeks
> back, I notice that ride ops are still supposed to say
> “Check” as they check each rider’s safety restraint.
> Problem is, on some rides that seemed to be all they were
> doing. On Maverick, the girl came by and tapped my OTSR
> without even checking my seat belt and whispered
> “check” as she walked by. Being an Intamin ride, I made
> sure I was secure. Over at Iron Dragon, the completely
> disinterested employees muttered something as they barely
> brushed each OTSR. I realize Iron Dragon isn’t going to
> do much damage to me, but still, I always thought “safety
> is our #1 priority”. Granted these kids are getting paid
> minimum wage, but it’s part of their job to make sure
> riders are safe. Or so I thought it was.
>

Out of curiosity- what is the deal with the Intamin coasters? It sounds like I don't know them quite as well as I would like to think, and plan on taking Kingda on Friday.
Thanks!

>
> > > and plan on taking Kingda on Friday.

Just don't tell you-know-who.

Mike

These newer coasters make me nervous (Intamin,mostly)with the locking issues so I avoid them because I'm bigger.I don't like the Fireball(new Ring of Fire),Claw rides,that have senser locks.Like a little seatbelt is gonna hold that harness closed if it unlocks;O I prefer old school R keys and clicking harness like Vekoma Boomerang,Sidewinder,GASM and Nessie's harnesses I never had a problem.I definetly check my restraints its just like automatic.

> > > > and plan on taking Kingda on Friday.

> Just don't tell you-know-who.

> Mike

If you take my King please put him back when you're done or this forum friendship is over! (LOL)

The problem with Intamin is not really safety related, it's that they have been unreliable as far as breaking down a lot and needing a lot of repairs so I believe some think this could be a malfunction waiting to happen (correct me if I'm wrong). Ride with confidence - you'll be fine. What people are mostly saying here is to always push up on you're harness/lap bar and tug the seat belt that holds the harness down/is across your lap as a secondary precaution to double check the restraints before you dispatch in case the operators aren't doing their jobs properly. KK and El Toro cannot dispatch unless all restraints are properly in position, unlike some others, but check them anyway. ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.

Jen

ALWAYS
> better to be safe than sorry.

Unless you're on Dark Knight. Then you'll be both.

Mike

> The problem with Intamin is not really safety related, it's
> that they have been unreliable as far as breaking down a
> lot and needing a lot of repairs so I believe some think
> this could be a malfunction waiting to happen (correct me
> if I'm wrong).

Intamin's rides have caused quite a few fatalities/injuries from guests being thrown from their rides. The two Giant Flume rides at Knott's and Oakwood both threw a passenger to their death, the Superman hypers have either killed or ejected riders from the trains (usually larger folk), the Giant Drop free fall at SFKK resulted in a girl having both of her feet cut off, the cables on Top Thrill Dragster and Xcelerator have shredded while guests were being launched resulting in some nice metal shavings embedded into the riders... there's quite a long list.

I'm not dogging Intamin as 2 of my Top 10 coasters are made by them, but they have had more than their fair share of problems. :(

> Intamin's rides have caused quite a few fatalities/injuries
> from guests being thrown from their rides. The two Giant
> Flume rides at Knott's and Oakwood both threw a passenger
> to their death, the Superman hypers have either killed or
> ejected riders from the trains (usually larger folk), the
> Giant Drop free fall at SFKK resulted in a girl having both
> of her feet cut off, the cables on Top Thrill Dragster and
> Xcelerator have shredded while guests were being launched
> resulting in some nice metal shavings embedded into the
> riders... there's quite a long list.

> I'm not dogging Intamin as 2 of my Top 10 coasters are made
> by them, but they have had more than their fair share of
> problems. :(

As I understood it the riders on Superman that died/were seriously injured were a result of improper restraint due to riders being too heavy/large and shouldn't have been allowed to ride, which I think is mostly operator error. I wasn't familiar with the flume ride accidents so I looked them up and both say the riders were too large for the restraints. It seems that is the common theme here so is that the fault of the manufacturer or the operator? I see in the case of Perilous Plunge they were ordered to change the restraints but it was to accommodate larger guests. There are clear weight/size restrictions that were not followed on these unfortunate deaths. Manufacturer or operator? - hard call but I am leaning towards operator or perhaps park policy on the size of guests allowed to ride.

I got my information about the fatality incidents here:

http://www.rideaccidents.com/intamin.html

I knew about the cable issues but that has nothing to do with restraints (which is what I was talking about) although indeed concerning and a safety issue.

Jen

> The problem with Intamin is not really safety related, it's
> that they have been unreliable as far as breaking down a
> lot and needing a lot of repairs so I believe some think
> this could be a malfunction waiting to happen (correct me
> if I'm wrong).

I don't agree with that statement at all. Reliability issues with Intamin rides. What makes you say that? Who are you comparing them to?

> The problem with Intamin is not really safety related, it's
> that they have been unreliable as far as breaking down a
> lot and needing a lot of repairs so I believe some think
> this could be a malfunction waiting to happen (correct me
> if I'm wrong).

> I don't agree with that statement at all. Reliability
> issues with Intamin rides. What makes you say that? Who are
> you comparing them to?

I'm talking about the mechanical/technical issues of late with KK, TTD, Maverick, STR, etc when I say unreliable. It seems something is always causing the newer Intamins to break down, sometimes for long periods of time. I'm not comparing them to anything - simply on their own "track" record. I personally do not think that the mechanical issues have anything to do with the safety of riding them for the most part. I was just speculating what people were talking about regarding safety issues (wasn't clear to me, I was thinking along the lines of restraint systems), which is why I wrote correct me if I'm wrong (and apparently I was). I think the restraint issues are mostly related to obese riders and not entirely a manufacturer problem.

Jen

The second "flume death" was on Hydro at Oakwood and it didn't involve an overweight rider at all. It was a skinny 15 years old girl that was thrown to her death. Now, reports conflict between the typical "operator didn't check the restraint" or it could be an issue with Intamin not putting individual seats on a ride with individual T bars.

> The second "flume death" was on Hydro at Oakwood
> and it didn't involve an overweight rider at all. It was a
> skinny 15 years old girl that was thrown to her death. Now,
> reports conflict between the typical "operator didn't
> check the restraint" or it could be an issue with
> Intamin not putting individual seats on a ride with
> individual T bars.

I don't know why that was not listed on the site but I found info on it. I read the court reports and it said there was footage from a camera at the ride that showed her restraint was not secured and the ride op that day said she did not check the restraints b/c she was distracted by something. Sounds like operator error but who knows. Sad though.

Jen

What is STR?

The only reason I'd defend Intamin on the reliability front is because the rides you mention, while they have problems, are very technologically advanced compared to other rides in the industry. B&M is praised for reliability, but their technology is so much simpler.

^ STR = Shoot The Rapids at Cedar Point... the "technologically advanced" flume that has had so many issues in its inaugural year. But according to the park, the shutdowns are simply like getting an oil change on a new car.

(please note I was simply trying to be being funny about the technolgically advanced part, hence the quotes)

I think the restraint issues
> are mostly related to obese riders and not entirely a
> manufacturer problem.

> Jen

So if someone is fat, they shouldn't be allowed to ride no matter whether or not they fit the restraint?

Bottom line is people come in all shapes and sizes.

I don't think someone should or should not be able to ride based on someone else's perception on how fat they are.

The ride operators are paid to check restraints. They are paid to ensure that the rides are operable under the safest possible conditions within their control.

With many of the ride/coaster manufactuers being based out of Europe where people aren't as fat as us Americans are, in my opinion, the parks should have more of a "hands on" approach (if that is possible) when rides are in development for a park.

El Toro is the perfect example.

I'm 6'3", I weight 300 pounds, I have a 44 inch waist and I've never taken the walk of shame on The Bull.

So because the shape of my body fits the restraint system whereas it might not for someone who is shorter, weights less, and has a smaller waist size, I shouldn't be allowed to ride??

What sense does this make?

None.

Joe
Great_Ump

(I can't wait to see Paul's response insulting me for my opinions)

> (I can't wait to see Paul's response insulting me for my
> opinions)

While you are looking for it, afraid I will have to disappoint you this time, Joe. Arrow and Vekoma even PTC, managed to make restraints that fit almost everyone for 50+ years. Why is it that newer coaster designers are having such a huge problem doing the same? The restraints are just variations of the same technology.

Paul

> I think the restraint issues
> are mostly related to obese riders and not entirely a
> manufacturer problem.

> Jen

> So if someone is fat, they shouldn't be allowed to ride no
> matter whether or not they fit the restraint?

> Bottom line is people come in all shapes and sizes.

> I don't think someone should or should not be able to ride
> based on someone else's perception on how fat they are.

> The ride operators are paid to check restraints. They are
> paid to ensure that the rides are operable under the safest
> possible conditions within their control.

> With many of the ride/coaster manufactuers being based out
> of Europe where people aren't as fat as us Americans are,
> in my opinion, the parks should have more of a "hands
> on" approach (if that is possible) when rides are in
> development for a park.

> El Toro is the perfect example.

> I'm 6'3", I weight 300 pounds, I have a 44 inch waist
> and I've never taken the walk of shame on The Bull.

> So because the shape of my body fits the restraint system
> whereas it might not for someone who is shorter, weights
> less, and has a smaller waist size, I shouldn't be allowed
> to ride??

> What sense does this make?

> None.

> Joe
> Great_Ump

> (I can't wait to see Paul's response insulting me for my
> opinions)

Why are you so hell bent on fighting me on every thing I post? Have you nothing better to do? I never said that overweight people shouldn't ride. Do you go through my posts with a fine tooth comb and find one line you can take out of context and run with it?

There are limits, there are weight restrictions, there are height restrictions, there are body type restrictions. That's just the way it is. I didn't manufacture the rides or make the rules. Restraints can only hold so much weight - that's the way they're made. Ride ops have a responsibility to make sure those regulations are followed for safety purposes. If someone can't click the restraint because they are too large/wide/tall/whatever the reason, they shouldn't be allowed to ride. End of story. This is ridiculous that I even have to explain this.

Should they be made to accommodate larger people? That's another post that has already been done on this forum.

Where you got that I think you shouldn't be riding anything is beyond me. Why does everything have to be about you?
News Flash: It's not.

Jen

* This Post Has Been Modified *

I'm bigger girl,with my experiences I never had trouble fitting into an Arrow,Vekoma,or Swartzkorfh(sorry about the spelling).It all started with the B&M's,and I tried Storm Runner when it was new that year and was locked in but a superviser came up and didn't let me go.That scared the crap out of me because if he wasn't there would they have dispatched it? So I havent tried a Intamin since and plus I know about the test seats.I used Nitros in 08.

> Why are you so hell bent on fighting me on every thing I
> post?
> Should they be made to accommodate larger people? That's
> another post that has already been done on this forum.

> Where you got that I think you shouldn't be riding anything
> is beyond me. Why does everything have to be about you?
> News Flash: It's not.

We just have differing opinions and there is nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with debating facts and opinions.

Thank you for making me aware of what has been discussed in this forum. Having been posting here since 1997 I think I have a good idea of what has and has not been discussed.

I'm sorry that you feel like I'm personally attacking you. This is not the case.

Joe
Great_Ump

(oh, and I despise the New York Yankees ;0) )