CNN.com – Man killed in roller coaster accident at Disneyland
I really like the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction, which I’ve always called the runaway mine train. It is the only place and time I’ve ever seen my wife scared, and I truly enjoy riding it.
An accident on Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster Friday killed one man and injured 10 other riders, officials said.
The ride’s locomotive separated from the train cars behind it, but officials did not know whether that was the cause or an effect of the accident.
The man who died was in the first car behind the locomotive, and paramedics extricated his body from inside a tunnel section of the ride…
Eight of the injured, ranging in age from 9 to 47, were taken to the hospital, while two others were treated at the scene, Nicoletti said. One of those taken to the hospital had moderate injuries, while the other cases were considered minor, he said.
I’ll bet I know what happened: the locomotive breaks loose and runs ahead, then the train catches up, either due to an emergency stop signal (because the train isn’t doing what it’s supposed to), or, more likely, because at certain points the locomotive is used for braking, and was supposed to slow down there.
Amusement park rides aren’t supposed to kill patrons. I don’t want to die, but I want it back on line; this is one I really like. And the Matterhorn will be down until about 2005, they need enjoyable attractions.
And now I’ll never get my wife back on it.
