Report says ride ops did not secure Six Flags New England victim

darienlakefan, your question is answered in the State report.

From everything I have read....well, no, let me try that again...from all of the facts that I have read, the fact that the man had cerebral palsy does not seem to be a significant factor in this incident, except to the degree that limited mobility may have been partially responsible for the man's size.

The next step, of course, is to figure out how to fix the system. And the question then becomes, what will satisfy the State.

Some possible changes are obvious. Shortening the odd-row seat belts so that they are the same length as the belts on the even-row seats would have excluded the victim from riding. Eleven inches is quite a lot of variation between seats! I wonder if we might also see the installation of either a limit switch on the lap bar to serve as a go/no-go as on the B&M rides, or perhaps a lap bar safety belt or some other limiting or measuring device to identify a minimum lap bar position. And I would also like to see the seating geometry re-examined. Intamin has obviously re-thought their train design, given that every successive model has been different. I hope the design changes that have already been implemented in later rides (a) will satisfy the State, and (b) can be implemented on the Six Flags coasters.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

While I am usually vehemently opposed to the Markey crusade, I do think this horrible tragedy needs to serve as a wake up call to the industry. Clearly there needs to be better training of attendants. Manufacturers should also do more thorough testing as to see what kind of body types are at risk on a particular ride. The more engineering they put into it the lesser the likelihood of human error by the $7 an hour employee operating the ride. Something probably also needs to be done to allow parks to be more stringent in their restrictions. What good is the Disabilities Act if it allows the people it is supposed to protect to be killed?

On a separate note, I was puzzled by this quote in one of the Boston Herald articles:
"The last roller coaster fatality in Massachusetts happened in the mid-1980s at a now-closed amusement park in North Dartmouth"

Wasn't a man killed in the late eighties on the then Riverside Cyclone?

A news item comes up about someone being turned away for being too large, or someone posts a TR in which they didn't fit into a coaster - everyone screams about the seatbelts not being long enough.

Someone dies, and a possible contributing factor is an extra long seat belt, and everyone screams about the seatbelts being too long.

Oh the irony ...

Now that I've read the report (what's with all of the blacking out in a report issued by a public agency?), I partially attribute the accident to the restraint, but not entirely.

The one pattern we can associate with this restraint is that big folks don't fit in it. Other systems preclude the same people from riding. Horse collars simply don't close enough, and ratcheting lap bars need to click at least once. In the case of this particular restraint, the measurement that determines the compatibility of the restraint to the rider is the belt since the bar itself is never actually "closed" (it has an infinite number of positions in between since it's hydraulic). I think it's safe to say that a belt 11" larger than the others is not a good measure, and I can't help but wonder if Intamin has some spec significantly shorter. If they do, I doubt they could be held legally responsible.

Now that I think about it, I'm starting to see why Cedar Point has such short belts on Millennium Force. It's a tight squeeze on there, and I've watched a lot of people have a really tough time with it. However, if someone is "incompatible" with that belt size, that's the measurement and there is no question. (Though as with their height restrictions, I think they err on the size of caution and it could certainly be a little longer.)

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As much as the "horse collar" is lambasted, I don't ever recall hearing a story of someone thrown from an Arrow coaster that had a horse collar.

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No, but we can attribute one to an Intamin horse collar on PGA's freefall.
*** This post was edited by Jeff 5/7/2004 10:35:55 AM ***

(so many comments while I was typing mine..)

Jim Fisher, some states do implement ASTM standards by reference, although some of the laws may not have been updated to refer to the most recent version (the recent total rewrite). Also, most rides now in operation were built before the most recent ASTM standards were adopted, and as a result, most will not be in full compliance (for example, there are perhaps two wood coasters with fully compliant PTC full-size trains on them: Timberhawk and Knoebels Twister).

wahoo skipper I can't think of any incident when a secured rider has ever been ejected from ANY Arrow train, regardless of the restraint used. I can think of an incident, though, where a rider was ejected from beneath an Intamin shoulder bar.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Jeff, what is even stranger about the blacking out on the report is that the blacked-out bits seem to be personally identifying information about Mr. Mordarsky, his family, and the ride operators. I can understand that; it's a privacy issue, and while thanks to the press we all know the man's name, have seen his photograph, and know his height and weight, the State is not supposed to disclose that information. The odd thing, though, is the way that some of that information is blacked out and some of it is not. Like they missed some bits and overshot on others.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

If you HAVE legs (i.e., non-prosthetic lower limbs) and the bar is SNUG against your thigh, you're not going anywhere...the seatbelt probably DOES serve to help prevent lateral *shifting* so you don't SLIDE out from under the T-bar with lateral motion.

Andy linked to a pic in the other thread that does indeed show the banking on that last turn....it ALSO shows however where the track "flattens" suddenly immediately following the turn. I'm *guessing* that the area where the track changes from BANKED to flat provided enough lateral force to eject an unsecured rider....:(

HIPAA regulations regarding privacy ARE very clear...they DID disclose too much info about the deceased already, but the rules DO change the moment of death, and SOME additional personal information DOES become "discloseable" at that point...in the interests of *CYA*, I wouldn't disclose ANYTHING to anyone who doesn't have a "need to know", that's the typical standard for health information for the living...

These Intamins have SERIOUS powerful ejector airtime....I had the bruises to prove it. SECURE yourself on EVERY ride....and make sure the ops check TOO...this is the *exception* to Brian's rule about making sure YOU ride safely...if you notice that the ops don't check ANY of the seats, it IS best to say something before dispatch, even if you personally ARE secured.
*** This post was edited by rollergator 5/7/2004 10:44:51 AM ***

In regards to the "blackened out" privacy issue of the report:

There was actually one part on page three of the report that actually listed Mr.Mordarsky's name followed by a blacked out segment.

Brings to mind an article I read in the local newspaper a few years back about a crime of some sorts... (and I am making this name up because I don't remember).... "One witness, Mrs.Betty Jean McAllister, who asked not to be identified, said she saw the suspect..."

*** This post was edited by SLFAKE 5/7/2004 10:45:08 AM ***

This whole episode just makes me sad...

As an adrenaline junkie and Dad of a 9 year old enthusiast, it should just remind us that we are experiencing forces that if not for the proper restraints would end our days. Since my son is at minimum height, I always check that he has no freedom of movement against the restraint points, and insist that the ride ops check his restraints if I am unsure to any degree. I know some people have sneered at me for "delaying" a launch, but safety should be the concern of every one of us all the time.

I have my SFNE tickets in my wallet, but I'll just have to wait it out and trust that the next time I'm strapped in anticipating all those great G's, that the ride is as safe as it can be.

It surprises me to learn that his lap belt was fastened. I've got a bit of a belly and I feel that if only the lap belt were secured on SROS I would still be okay. Not clear how he could have gotten out from under that and also avoid the round steel bar between his legs that is part of the "t-bar", regardless of how "loosely"it may have been put down. Also interesting to learn of the different lengths of belts. Two weeks ago when I rode SROS I was seated in the front seat of a car. A large man tried to sit in the rear seat of that same car and couldn't fit in. The ride op asked me to switch seats with him, moving from the front of the car to the back. I couldn't figure out why, thinking that all the seats should be exactly the same. Frankly, I declined to move as I was already strapped in, had already waited over an hour in line, and other people in line were grumbling because of how slow they were, and this man just walked on because he was with the post office and apparently they had some priviledge that day or something. Now I know why they tried to have me move back and him move up to the front of the car. If you ask me, such a design by Intamin is simply inviting a lawyer to rip them apart in a courtroom. Restraints that are different in different seats is not a good idea.

As I recall from riding SFDL and SFA Superman's can't you pull the lap bar down any time. Once the ride has started the bar can only be pulled down more. How many of you have gone up a lift hill and accidental pushed your lap bar a little to tight. If the rider has his hands on the lap bar during the first drop he might have been able to pull it tight.

Regardless the issue is not the restraints. Its the ride ops. The restraint system was no used properly. If it was there would be no problem. Both accidents with ejections occurred because only one of the 2 devices was used. I think shorter seat belts would work and maybe making the lap bars hug you a little bit.

I apologize for my clown comment early. I'm just a bit angry cause this accident should have never happened. Coasters are safe!

Superman is my favorite Coaster. Its not the biggest or the longest, but it is the best in the world. The first drop makes you feel like you are fllying. I have been on it's front seat at least 25 times. The T bar is never tight enough. It locks into place at various latches, and rarely is able to be set firm againt your body. On the first drop and even some of the bunny hilles, I always pop up out of the seat, but the restraint just manages to keep me in.

As much as I want the ride to open up again, the restraints must be improved, no ifs, or ands. The restraint must be made to hold "anyone" in.

11" larger? I'm shocked.

The lapbar must be "firm against the upper thighs". That's the same thing I heard over and over in my training at Millennium Force.

Does the lapbar on the Intamins have a design flaw? Not when used properly, but they certainly leave too much judgement in the hands of the operator.

I am all for some kind of redesign. With all the differant sizes and shapes people come in, I'm not sure just shortning the seatbelts is the answer. For example, suppose someone has a waist small enough for the seatbelt to fit around, yet their belly is still large enough to prevent the lapbar from resting "firm against the upper thighs"?

Wahoo Skipper - Besides PGA Dropzone, there is the Arrow Lightning Loops incident. But that rider was hardly secure.*** This post was edited by Rihard 5/7/2004 11:14:21 AM ***

not to sound like the new, naive, person I am to this site, but where do you go to read the report on the accident?

Bob D
what in the world are you talking about? Provided that you don't have a big gut you can push the T-Bar down as far as you want on SROS. It doesn't notch, it is a completely smooth adjustment. I have lost track of how many times I have ridden that coaster. Every time that I do I staple myself in and I have never come up out of my seat.
*** This post was edited by Figaro 5/7/2004 11:20:56 AM ***

COASTINGTHRU, the link is at the top after the opening paragraph; it's http://www.state.ma.us/dps/Six_Flags_Superman.pdf

BOB D, what do you mean about "It locks into place at various latches, and rarely is able to be set firm againt your body" - this is nonsence. The bars do not move 'in latches', they are hydraulic and have an infinate amount of positions.

Since the vast majority of riders are completely able-bodied and able-minded individuals 100% capable of securing their own safety devices, I would imagine that some ride operators tend to just go through the motions when checking the restraints before a train is dispatched. I would say that the majority of coasters I have been on, I have seen this occur by at least a few of the operators. Some of them really tug on the bar and check it, others just tap it with their hand as they walk by.

I don't fault them for this at all. It is human nature. We detect patterns and we alter our behavior to simplify our tasks. We all have things in our jobs that we are supposed to do a certain, usually a more time-consuming way, but we find easier ways to do these things and we tend to skip steps that aren't necessary. I would imagine that a large percent of the coasters that are dispatched could go out with no check at all, and no problems would come from those. I think the only way to prevent this from happening is to tell the riders to leave all restraints completely open and make the operators completely responsible for closing and securing every restraint.

Interesting report. Goes to show you why its useless to speculate before all the info is known.

After reading the report, I've a question:

It stated that the front car had longer seatbelts to accomodate riders of larger girth. I would assume that Intamin has specific specifications for length of seatbelt.
Were the front belts replaced with belts of a longer length than what is recommended by Intamin?

I've read many times in various forums, riders of larger girth complaining about accomodating them with longer seatbelts. It would seem to me that any park that adheres strictly to the seatbelt length requirement would prevent riders who are too large from riding, regardless of whether they are responsible enough to fasten their own restraints, or whether the ride ops checked to be sure the restraints are secured.

It sounds to me like it was unclear, based upon witness reports, whether the restraints were rechecked or not, but the seatbelt was still attached when the train returned to the station, causing me to conclude it was properly attached, but the length may have been too long to be attached in a correct position.

In a related note concerning the belts on S:RoS at SFAmerica...

The second time I rode this coaster I noticed that the belt did not want to close. A closer examination of this showed that instead of coming directly over me, the belt was in such a position that it was going across one of the metal bars that supported the seat before it was coming across me. Repositioning the belt so that it was simply me in there, and not the seat bar, allowed it to comfortably close. Had I been smaller, the belt could have easily closed, though it would not have been tightly around me (the support bar... on the right hand side of the seat) would have allowed a gap between me and the belt. Depending on the circumstances, this could cause a serious problem.

Not saying that this was a contributing cause here here... the belt in this accident seems to have been secured correctly according to the report, but it does bring up the fact that the Intamin restraints leave some room for error.