Ripsaw Falls Incident at IOA
For those of you who have read the accidents and injuries thread, or the IOA coaster rumour, and are interested in how I was injured on the "Dudley Doo Rights Ripsaw Falls". Here's what happend...
The boats hold 6 passengers, in 3 lots of 2's. The ride was a walk on in the late afternoon, and I sat alone right at the front, with my friend in the middle. On the final drop, when the ride plunges underground and then back up, my hands slipped on the rails and my torso was thrown backwards, allowing my head hit the back of the seat behind me. I was then hurtled forward again and nearly hit the front of my head on the front of the boat as the ride crested the "falls".
I suffered bruises, headaches, dizziness, and delayed temporary memory loss of the previous few days.
And now for the crunch, the ride operator who was aware that I had been injured gave me NO assistance whatsoever. He told me to "go up top" to report it, and actually said "sit down or you'll get some more" as I tried to leave the ride. I was left to walk across half the park to Guest Services feeling like I was going to pass out any minute.
Ride and Safety Management apologized for the incident and assured me that the ride was safe, but would be investigated. As for the member of staff, they said he would be quesitioned, and was in the wrong for allowing me to leave the ride without being seen by a member of first aid.
Not only did the incident ruin the end of my vacation, but I am still suffering from headaches.
I was offered a complimentary ticket, but the only escape pass I want, is one that takes me as far away from IOA as possible.
The boats hold 6 passengers, in 3 lots of 2's. The ride was a walk on in the late afternoon, and I sat alone right at the front, with my friend in the middle. On the final drop, when the ride plunges underground and then back up, my hands slipped on the rails and my torso was thrown backwards, allowing my head hit the back of the seat behind me. I was then hurtled forward again and nearly hit the front of my head on the front of the boat as the ride crested the "falls".
I suffered bruises, headaches, dizziness, and delayed temporary memory loss of the previous few days.
And now for the crunch, the ride operator who was aware that I had been injured gave me NO assistance whatsoever. He told me to "go up top" to report it, and actually said "sit down or you'll get some more" as I tried to leave the ride. I was left to walk across half the park to Guest Services feeling like I was going to pass out any minute.
Ride and Safety Management apologized for the incident and assured me that the ride was safe, but would be investigated. As for the member of staff, they said he would be quesitioned, and was in the wrong for allowing me to leave the ride without being seen by a member of first aid.
Not only did the incident ruin the end of my vacation, but I am still suffering from headaches.
I was offered a complimentary ticket, but the only escape pass I want, is one that takes me as far away from IOA as possible.
No, law suits are for morons who can convince juries and judges that people don't need to be responsible for their actions.
I question any claim of injury on a ride that has been open and established for an extended amount of time. Sure, the ride op was an idiot, but more often than not, rider injuries are caused by irresponsible riders. I've seen the ride in motion, even documentaries on its creation, and I have a hard time understanding how the ride could cause your alleged injuries if you were doing everything you were supposed to be doing.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I question any claim of injury on a ride that has been open and established for an extended amount of time. Sure, the ride op was an idiot, but more often than not, rider injuries are caused by irresponsible riders. I've seen the ride in motion, even documentaries on its creation, and I have a hard time understanding how the ride could cause your alleged injuries if you were doing everything you were supposed to be doing.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Moron is an awful strong word. I think the park does need to be responsible when accidents do happen that proper care is taken. HOWEVER, I don't think that people should go to a park looking to get hurt so they can cash in on it. THAT would be qualified for a label such as Moron.
No, Grant was just an unfortunate victim of a park accident. The rides are safe, but sometimes accidents happen.
D
No, Grant was just an unfortunate victim of a park accident. The rides are safe, but sometimes accidents happen.
D
I didn't say Grant was a moron, but I really don't believe we're hearing the whole story. Flume rides in particular are notorious for hurting people not sitting upright or whatever. Yes the ride op was an idiot for not taking the injury seriously, but most accidents happen because of rider behaviour. Should the family of the guy who wiggled out of PKD's Shockwave sue because he caused his own death?
What I'm getting at here is the comment Jephry made about law suits. Everytime something happens, people want to sue, and that's wrong. The most obvious example is the stupid woman who sued McDonalds because (gasp!) her coffee was too hot. People shouldn't be compensated for their own stupidity.
Again, I'm not passing judgement on Grant, though I suspect we're not hearing the whole story. What gets my panties in a bunch is people crying law suit when they shouldn't.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
What I'm getting at here is the comment Jephry made about law suits. Everytime something happens, people want to sue, and that's wrong. The most obvious example is the stupid woman who sued McDonalds because (gasp!) her coffee was too hot. People shouldn't be compensated for their own stupidity.
Again, I'm not passing judgement on Grant, though I suspect we're not hearing the whole story. What gets my panties in a bunch is people crying law suit when they shouldn't.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I have ridden nearly 100 coasters, and 20 water rides this year alone. I think that qualifies me to judge if the accident was my fault or not.
I was sitting in exactly the same position when the injury occured, as I was when the boat left the station. If this was incorrect and could have caused me injury, then one of the ride operators should have told me so before the boat left the station.
Also, I am quite sure there are cameras on the ride, so even if I did move (which I didn't), a ride operator could have made an announcement.
Furthermore, I have seen several log flume rides, where attendants have been sat at the top of the drop to ensure riders are seated and holding on. On a ride with an intense drop such as this one, I don't think that would be a bad idea. Not that it would have helped me because I WAS seated AND holding on. My hands were wet from the water of the previous drop, and they slipped. Not my fault.
And even if I was doing handstands, and stuffing my face with a funnel cake whilst riding. I still derserved proper medical attention immediately after my injury, instead of having to walk to first aid with possible concussion.
I was sitting in exactly the same position when the injury occured, as I was when the boat left the station. If this was incorrect and could have caused me injury, then one of the ride operators should have told me so before the boat left the station.
Also, I am quite sure there are cameras on the ride, so even if I did move (which I didn't), a ride operator could have made an announcement.
Furthermore, I have seen several log flume rides, where attendants have been sat at the top of the drop to ensure riders are seated and holding on. On a ride with an intense drop such as this one, I don't think that would be a bad idea. Not that it would have helped me because I WAS seated AND holding on. My hands were wet from the water of the previous drop, and they slipped. Not my fault.
And even if I was doing handstands, and stuffing my face with a funnel cake whilst riding. I still derserved proper medical attention immediately after my injury, instead of having to walk to first aid with possible concussion.
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