Girl passes away after RB ride.

Jeff closed the last topic because it was not confirmed, but now it is.

Very good article mentioning Markey and relaying information that the ride had nothing to do with the fatality:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0305040219may04,0,2467032.story?coll=chi%2Dnews%2Dhed

One thing in this story stood out... the fact that she said something after getting off the ride and then she collapsed. Someone who is choking doesnt say something, they cant, their airway is blocked. Dont be surprised if another cause of death is determined...

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Bob Hansen

Operation Wicked Twister
Goal: Lose enough weight (50lbs) to ride Wicked Twister in 2K3
Progress: 25 pounds since 1-1-2003

Raging Bull is "bright teal"? Also, how much knowledge of safety factors and/or procedures are in Markey's head?

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Shaun Rajewski
CoasterLine
http://www.coasterline.com

Did she die getting off the ride or at a hospital? I am really confused about this and was at the park from 12 til closing and didn't notice anything going on except for Raging Bull being closed for a while.

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All who think Mean Streak needs a match taken to it say I.

On the news last night they were talking about it. She was announced dead upon arrival at the hospital. I believe that does mean she died on the way there. She collapsed when she got off the ride. They tried CPR and paramedics tried everything but could not resussitate her.

That is truely sad and a bad start for SFGAM this season. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this girl. I don't see how you can choke on gum because usually it would make you cough but it won't block your airway. I piece of hard candy might make you choke and block your airway but why didn't they use the himelich (sp?) on her after she got off the train? If she was choking and had passed out that would be the best thing to do then try CPR.

I was at SFGA when this happened, and now I feel like a jerk. Once they told everyone that RB will not open today I went to GR to complain. What I said was this park had the entire off season to do all repairs and here its opening day and V2, Dejue? & RB are not open. They asured me it was not a Maintenance issue. Man, they have never been more right.

Just the thought of your love one siting next to you on a coaster dying and theres nothing you can go to help.

It must of been horrible.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family.

Putting the tragic nature of the situation aside, it infuriates me to no end that the second graph states that the coroner saw "no indication" that the coaster contributed to the girl's death ... then the piece proceeds to devote 10 graphs to the Markey's 'debate' and his shamelessly opportunistic use of the tragedy.

Bob, your point is well-taken.

Let's also face this fact: If there's a coaster that can kill you, it's probably not Raging Bull. It is smooth as glass, and causes no head-banging. The only intense moment is the first drop, which, unfortunately, seems to be the time when she began to experience problems. But, if she did have candy or gum, I could see it getting yanked back in her throat at that moment, as the head jerks down quite dramatically at that point.

Prodjbp, don't feel too bad. I would have been infuriated as well getting to the park and seeing this sign at the entrance:

The following rides may not be operational today: Raging Bull, Deja Vu, V2.

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I was in line for Raging Bull when this happened! I was just before the stairs and couldn' t see that anything was going wrong. But none of the cars seemed to move for about 10 minutes. Then they told us to turn around leave the que. Since nobody new what was going on very few people turned around. Then the people in the que house, and the people on the stairs starting screaming go back go back, so them most of the people went back throught the que. I didn't find out what happened untill I got home at 9:30- 10:00!!!

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Check Out My WebSite: http://www.sfgreatamerica.com/
*** This post was edited by coasterguy25 5/4/2003 11:23:50 AM ***
*** This post was edited by coasterguy25 5/4/2003 11:25:04 AM ***
*** This post was edited by coasterguy25 5/4/2003 11:28:12 AM ***

I was in line when this happened. I thought it was a breakdown. To bad for Raging Bull and that girl.

There isn't a tamer ride in the park so it can't be related to the ride.

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All who think Mean Streak needs a match taken to it say I.

Very sad for the family and victim, my families prays goes out to the family.

My daughter(who by the way is also 11 yrs old and this made us scared when we heard the intial report as she was home when we saw the intial report on this site) ) was in the train station and was going to board the ride on the train that the girl died on. She said that as she watched the train pull into the station that the girl wasnt moving at all and and that other family members who were very happy thought she was faking until they tried to get her to move but she didnt.She said it was very sad as her family/mother were very upset over this tragic incident which of course is very understandable and most would have acted in the same manner. Other adults with her thought the park handled the situation in a very good matter, its just a tragedy that took place.

I was in the que line when this happened. At first they said there was a problem but didn't say anything specific. I figured the ride was down and will be up in ten or twenty minutes. Shortly after ride operators/park staff told everyone that they had to leave. Now I thought that it was just some big mechanical failure but I would have never thought this would take place... It is just so strange. My heart goes out to the family.

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Don't Fight It, Ride It, RAGING BULL!!!!!!- Six Flags Great America

The 5 oclock news tonight stated that she did choke on gum. This is very sad, my condolences go out to her family.
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In my CD player: Centaur - In Streams
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Fu Manchu - California Crossing

I didnt find out about this until I got home from the park and happened to turn on the news. I was like "when did this happen"?. We were obviously on the other side of the park at the time.

The strange thing is , my 8 year old daughter and I were in line for RB at about 7 PM(After the incident), and we saw a news chopper circle the park about 3 times. My daughter said "Daddy, something bad must have happened here". I assured her nothing happened at the park. I get home and I broke the news to her that a girl a little bit older than her had passed away at the park.

Very sad news.

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Arena football has arrived in the Windy City. Go "Chicago Rush"

i also saw the chooper flying by. later in the day.i think i was on the eagle again when i saw it.

The news says a doctor tried to save her, I wonder if he did mouth to mouth, assuming she wasn't choking...

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Airtime from a pretzel?...Oh yea!

First i'd like to start by saying, don't go complaining if a ride is down. Your complaint isn't going to help anything. You may make matters worse. Also, there might be a good reason for it to be down, like the Raging Bull was.

Second, for those of you who say "the ride is only 2 and 1/2 minutes long, the should have beenable to save her" answer me this.... How many people do you know can hold their breathe underwater for more than a minute and a half? Not many people can. 2 and 1/2 minutes is nearly doubled that, so we cant say that anymore.

Third, it had to be more than the gum. I think it was Kick the Skye that said it the best, if you have something lodged in your throat, you're not going to beabel to talk now are you. Also, Alf is Cool points out that any certified CPR people would know to check the passageway for a clog, especially doctors. I was CPR certified and i knew that. So I'm thinking maybe there needs to be a second opinion on this autopsy.

This was a tragic event and i do feel sorry for the family. BUT the rides DO say no food or drink allowed on the rides. And gum IS food. There is nothing they can tag on the park, so no sueing for them. Although, i think they will try anyways.

Moral of the story kids; "read the rules and follow them!" quote the booya.

This is very sad. I contributed another article out of the Daily Herald to news.

My prayers and condolences go out to her family in this time of hurting and greivance. I never do like to hear about things like this.

Also of note is based on the article (and to my own recollection) this appears to be the first death at Six Flags Great America.

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