Premier Parks Closes All Whitewater River Rides

Oklahoma City, OK -- Premier Park officials ordered the closure of all whitewater river rides, at all of company's theme parks, in response to the accident at Riverside Park.

The accident last Saturday on the Blizzard River, a white water rafting ride was the second one this year on this type of attraction, at a Premier owned theme park.

In March a woman was killed and ten were injured when a raft on the Roaring Rapids ride, a similar attraction at Six Flags Over Texas flipped.

According to Premier the closure of these rides is merely a precaution, until investigation at Riverside is complete.

Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, the man-made river on the Roaring Rapids attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain was dry. Park employees declined to give any reasons for the closure, saying that attraction would be closed for an indefinite period.

An industry source acknowledged Thursday that the closure is not an indication that there is anything wrong with the design of these rides. These sorts of attractions have been around for more than nearly 20 years without too many serious mishaps.

As of Thursday afternoon, Riverside Park officials had still not releasing any details about what may have caused the accident last Saturday.

Related Stories:
Investigators Continue To Look For Clues At Riverside August 13, 1999
Six People Injured On Water Ride at Riverside Park August 9, 1999
Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Six Flags and Intamin AG April 13, 1999
Accident Investigation Continues At Six Flags Over Texas March 24, 1999
Six Flags Over Texas Suffers First Park Fatality March 23, 1999