August 9, 1999

Six People Injured On Water Ride at Riverside Park

Agawam, MA -- Six riders aboard the Blizzard River water attraction at Riverside Park were injured Saturday after the raft they were riding in flipped over.

The accident happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday evening according to reports.

The injured riders were taken to the Baystate Medical Center for treatment. Two of the victims were listed in critical condition suffering from cardiac arrest.

The Blizzard River is a brand new whitewater-rafting ride, which was built by O.D. Hopkins and Associates. The attraction opened at the park earlier this year.

The attraction features more than two dozen eight passenger circular rafts that take passengers down the 1,400-foot long river, through a series of man-made rapids, twists and turns.

At this time investigators and the park are unclear about what may have caused the raft to flip.

This is the second major accident on a whitewater rafting attraction at an amusement park this year. The first accident occurred at Six Flags Over Texas in late-March when a larger 12-passenger raft flipped, killing one and injuring several others.

Officials stated that the ride will remain closed while the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and the park conducts an investigation.

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