Girl upgraded to fair condition after Marine World accident (updated)

It's definately going to be interesting to see what the investigation turns up, because I'm intensely curious as to what causeed this poor little girl to get thrown.

Best theory I've heard so far is size difference between the girl and her mom. If that's what it turns out to be, then it'll be interesting to see what they do to remedy the situation.

Just curious, anyone know what the height requirement is on the Starfish? Knott's version of the wipeout has a 48" height requirement, just enough that my 6 year old can't get on yet.

-------------
Sometimes it's up. Sometimes it's down.
But with God, life is one thrill ride that you'll never regret being on.

It's always unfortunate to hear about any accident at a park.

I guess we'll have to wait to fnd the real answer to what happened... but...

In the article, it says that they installed low-pressure alarms, so it's probably not the same issue as the last injury.

There is one question that I'm curious about, and Sir Willow has a very good point. What are the height requirements and did the girl meet them?

Having been on a wipeout, I can see how a small rider could easily be thrown out of the ride by slipping right though the restraint.

I have noticed on most ejections the lapbars+otsr's are always still locked. So you either have a person who frees themself on purpose. These guys are the slow people, the kid who fell on dropzone and that guy who fell from rainbow, I am counting that pkd accident even though he did not fall he was still slow for trying to get out of his restraints. Then u have the people who are to small to really ride the ride, This girl for instance. And Then u have fat people who like to fall from intamin. They restraints still stay lock but they lard like body can take different shapes and they come right out, they bar is never really on there lap but on they lard like chest area.. Sorry for the way I put these terms into effect. I am really glad the girl is doing okay now. With overweight people I said it as best I could, to my understanding they can change shape somewhat and slip right out in the same way a smaller person would. But seriously wipeout restraints not really made for young people, now maybe if they lock down like a ptc train they would, but that would remove the fun

Dang, the Starfish has been closed forever and before it gets into redebut season it has an accident. Bye bye Starfish.

-----------------
Lake Compounce-So Fresh and So Clean Clean

At SFA today, at one of the rides, I noticed two young boys getting onto the ride, and *just* making the height requirement. Just wondering here - to those of you who have young children, do you feel comfortable with your child going on a ride when they *just* pass the height restriction?

Yes coderGirl. I do feel comfortable with my daughter getting on rides where she just makes it. I shouldnt have to play the guessing game for her if she is safe or not.

I am supposed to have confidence in the height restriction which in the state of Illinois, they require all rides with height restrictions that are set by the ride manufacturer to be strictly enforced. If she makes the requirement even if its by a small margin, she BETTER be safe!!!

-----------------
""To be the man, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!, You got to beat the man""!!!

The Wipeout at Kennywood Park is you have to be at least "46" inches to ride.

-----------------
:)KENNYWOOD:)

I must question the word-choice when it comes to the title for this article here.

Upgraded? To me, that is what you get when you pay an extra 50c at Burger King.

Aside from my pickiness, I think it is great that she is getting over this. It would be tragic to loose such a young child.

What type of ride is this exactly? I would like to see a photo of the ride, see what it does exactly, and how something like this has been possible.

-----------------
So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?

That wording is quite common when referring to hospital status -- "The patient has been upgraded from critical to serious", etc.

-----------------
--Greg
"Are you justified in taking life to save life?" -- The Great Debate, Dream Theater
My page

Here's a photo of the ride, auscoasterman:

http://www.sfmwonline.com/image.php?type=news&id=1

The size difference of the riders may just be the reason. If a an adult and a child ride together, and there is one lap bar, the bar can only come down tight to the adults legs. Any small child could come out of a ride in this situation. I have noticed this before on other single bar rides.....Solution is seat belts, matching height of riders, individual lap bars, or some kind of bar that will come down to the leg heights of different size riders.d

Oh, ok, yeah - we've got one of them at my home park. Now I see how this is possible, especially with a small child.

Can't say I'm exactly a medical expert, so don't blame me for being ignorant, GregLeg :) - my brother is a doctor, that's about it. And I've been to the doctor for about one in every worthy injury I've had in the past five years.

-----------------
So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?