Man dies after falling off Superman at Six Flags New England

I'm going to ask that you not speculate about the details until they've been made public.

My prayers are with the family. With an accident rate this high with these restraints, I highly doubt it was his fault.

What the heck is going on with park safety so far this year? It's just the beginning of the season, yet so much has happened.

My sympathy to all directly envolved.

This is what WFSB had to say: http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1831812&nav=1VGmMlNi

I was there just yesterday and I rode Superman twice. I certainly noticed that the ride operators were stapling EVERYONE, without exception. This is by far the most disturbing news I have ever heared because of the fact that Superman is the most perfect steel coaster in existance. It was running incredibly well, with floating air on the way uphills, ejection air on the way down. If the rider is not at fault, Intamin is screwed. Regardless, this is a huge blow to all parties involved.

How awful it must be when a day out at a park results in such a loss. My condolences are with the friends and family.

This is, no doubt, devastating to park officials and employees as well. Having been a ride op once myself, I must add that my thoughts are also with them.

Rich Genthner / PTC99

My condolences to all those involved...

But from reading the article...he was "spinning"? Not something you'd expect to happen, one would think. But I'm not speculating anything. Just pondering. I would love to ride Superman at SFA in MD...are these two coasters very similar? How do the two ride compared to each other?

About the only similarities between Superman at SFNE and the Superman at SFA are that they are both hypercoasters, they are both Intamin products, and they are both Superman themed, that's about where the similarities end. Check out the pictures on www.rcdb.com and you'll see how remarkably different they are.
*** This post was edited by Coaster Lover 5/1/2004 8:10:46 PM ***

My thoughts go to the families, I mean riding roller coasters, somes favorite thing to look foward and then this. gosh, its so sad, i don't think i have much more to say. :(

there's a video available online now of the new's report from one of the local stations. you can view the report over at: http://www.wwlp.com/

Well, the video didn't help much except the same information as before except a few clips of the witneses.

Sounds like it happened at the final turn as it was coming in, not during the final half where the thing zig zags all over the place. The distance of the fall was estimated at 20'... that's about the same height the guy from Darien Lake's Superman fell out of during the last bunny hop in 1999. He survived, but not without life-long problems.

What type of restraints does Superman have?

Typical Intamin Hyper lapbar and seatbelt. Similar to what can be found on Millennium Force.

It has the same style trains and restraints as Millennium Force.
EDIT: You got the post in before me.
*** This post was edited by person 5/1/2004 9:08:00 PM ***

Well first of all, This is very sad news and my heart goes out to his family.

I just think with all these accidents with these restraints, I think we will see them being replaced with the curved bar restraints liek the ones found on TTD and Xcel. Those can properly support you and feel alot more comfortable.

I guess I just don't understand how this can happen with a seat belt.

Big D,

Regardless of today's accident, I would definitely be a major proponent of such a modification. That's not to say that I've ever felt insecure in a Intamin Hyper/Gigacoaster train, but it would significantly lessen the responsibility of the ride operators regarding their decision on who can and cannot ride.

Rich Genthner / PTC99

Guessing that Superman has the same seatbelts as Millennium Force, those seatbelts are impossible for me to get off. I also agree that Intamin should use the lapbars like those on TTD.

-rctfreak-

I just can't stand the media sometimes. All the Boston networks during the 11PM news tonight all stated incorrect info concerning S:ROS in one way or another. The best: "The coaster uses seat belts to hold riders in...similar to those on an airplane." No mention that the seatbelts are a backup to the main restraint system!! What happened is horrible and I am not trivializing the accident in ANY way. I just wish reporters would do more due diligence before stating misleading facts to further scare the public.