Man falls about 50 feet from Lagoon Sky Ride

Here’s what I learned, and I don’t think the park sells Lemon Chill. Dippin Dots, yes.
Anyway, I spoke separately to a couple of security/police types, and those here that know me know I have a knack for turning a conversation while holding a straight face. Once we were on the subject they all said the same thing. The fellow was indeed intoxicated and was showing off. His girlfriend was watching and the first thing out of her mouth was “oh he’s a dummass and was showing off, as usual.”
One thing I noticed was how close the chairs come to the midway after leaving the station. One end was especially bad- if someone climbed onto the brick on the raised flower bed in front of the station it would be an easy reach for the chairs as they started their climb. But in asking about that no one seemed to know.

The possibility that he jumped up and grabbed the bar, and quickly discovered there was no way down that didn't involve at best breaking bones in both legs, makes more sense to me than the idea that he was drunk enough to think hanging from the bar was a good idea, but not too drunk to execute a tricky maneuver in climbing out, turning himself around, and grabbing on to the bar while the ride was moving.

Quite separately: Does Lagoon sell alcohol?

They do. I was gonna try to include this info in an upcoming trip report but since you asked…
Utah is a strange state with weird laws. (Even they will tell you). A lot of it is led by the fact that 68% of the population is Mormon along with 90% of the state legislature. So they feel they have a moral obligation.
Lagoon has always valued themselves as a park with a family reputation, and they hold on to it to this day. However: 2 or 3 years ago they opened up a Beer Garden near the Wooden Coaster. It’s large, with a sit down restaurant, a separate bar, and patios. It’s quite cute with Bavarian style architecture. I asked the security man how that goes over with so large of an LDS population and he said when they first opened it the line to get in the place went down the midway. He also added that alcohol has always been allowed at Lagoon, but you had to bring your own. (I’m sorry… what?) And it can be in anything except glass containers for, you know, “safety reasons”. Ok then. (Had I only known…)
So back to this unfortunate fellow. It’s quite possible that he arrived drunk and stayed drunk. The girlfriend did verify that he was a dummass always showing off like this.
My experience with drunks is that they will frequently try and even sometimes accomplish strange and dangerous feats. (Hey y’all, watch this!)
I think he somehow grabbed it from the ground. I rode the ride yesterday and I came to the conclusion it would be pretty hard for a grown man to wiggle out and over.

RCMAC said:

Anyway, I spoke separately to a couple of security/police types...

I asked the security man

I am seeing a pattern here:)

Did the lemon chill guy transfer to security?

RCMAC said:

My experience with drunks is that they will frequently try and even sometimes accomplish strange and dangerous feats. (Hey y’all, watch this!)

Yes indeed! And a pint/half-pint/flask fits easily in a pocket/cargo pocket.

This is horrible and I feel bad for the guy drunk or not. But especially the people and kids who had to watch this. Good thing for videos... I hope we don't lose any more sky rides.

That seems unlikely, as everyone seems to recognize that the guy was at fault and not the ride. Besides, the t-shirt still hangs in the gift shop. (Yes, there really is one and you don’t know how close I came. None in my size, though)
Everyone at the park is devastated that it happened. People in Salt Lake are super nice.

Well, great stories usually start with “hold my beer”…

Did a search to see any updates on why or how the guy was hanging and found a blurry cam picture of what looks like him climbing out of the ride (4th picture down).