Safety—for everyone's sake

The death of the 11-year-old girl aboard SFGam's Raging Bull had me thinking about amusement park safety. Rides may break down at times, but the riders themselves also need to exercise all forms of common sense. In particular, I have a big beef about people wearing hats/baseball caps aboard roller coasters. Many people don't realize that if a hat falls of a person's head aboard a coaster, it can land on the railing and actually serve as a brake (and a very painful, and possibly even fatal, one at that) if a train's wheel catches it. This is why the loading platform of all roller coasters has this one warning: "Please secure all loose items, escpecially hats and glasses." I, personally, have ridden both American Eagle and Viper (ironically, Raging Bull is sandwiched in between the two) on an occasion where a person lost his cap as the train went down the first drop.
*** This post was edited by MrHaroldG 5/4/2003 2:39:28 PM ***

I'm pretty sure people losing hats on rides is a common occurence, but eating hard candy while riding is a little more risky than wearing a hat don't ya think? :)

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

It's funny how you mention that how loose articles such as hats and what not could cause the train to jam on the track. This has happened twice on Knott's Jaguar!, once a baseball hat was the culprit, the other was a leather jacket. Both times, a train was jammed to a stop in the middle of the course after the lead car of the entire train caught it between the wheel and track. Buena Park fire-fighters had to come in and bring down the guests.

What can you do? Some people just don't like to observe rules. And these are the people that end up suing a park for something they did.

Thats nothing my sister was once on Magnum and a guy lit up a ciggerette in the row right in front of her on the lift. Unfortunatly, she was in the first row of a car and could not reach the guy and his drag so she had to spend the rest of the ride ducking, eyes closed so an ash wouldnt land in her hair or eyes. But do not fret that guy was booted out of the park faster then you can say boo once Magnum returned to the station.

I am really sorry about this girls death, and I dont want to detract from this family's tradjedy but honestly rideing a coaster while eating hard candy is like riding a bike with a lollypop. Its just something you make sure your child doesnt do. I hate how stupid people manage to damage reputations of coasters and the like seriously I think every ride entrance should contain a sign saying "Idiots of the world please be aware that you and anyone in your care has an increased chance of being hurt or killed on this ride because you are an idiot and normal people just arent that stupid.";)

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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
*** This post was edited by Touchdown 5/4/2003 3:54:12 PM ***

AMEN!:)

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Anorexia is phat!
*** This post was edited by Gamfan 5/4/2003 4:04:53 PM ***

TouchDown, I agree that often these accidents are caused by idiots .. but I really think that's the case this time.

I know I would never think of spitting out gum before getting on a coaster (or any ride), and I'd bet that most people wouldn't think about it either. (I'm not suggesting that chewing gum on a ride is a good idea .. just that it doesn't really stand out as something not to do).

A lollypop is different, since it actually contains the stick sticking out of ones mouth.

Also remember that gum is easy to forget about while it's being chewed .. she may have been chewing it for hours, and not even noticed that it was still there. (Again, I'm not saying it's right .. just explaining how easy it is to overlook). This is another reason why I don't agree with your lollypop analogy.

I don't think that this will damage the reputation of coasters, nor do I care. I feel terrible for the family of the girl who died; it's a real tragedy, and my thoughts/prays are with them.

Cam.

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Cameron Silver

We don't know what happened to the girl, so I would strongly recommend passing any judgement before the autopsy. (Well, and after, but that's a much harder case to present.)

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
"It's not a Toomer" - Arnold Schwartzenkoph

ApolloAndy...from today's Chicago Tribune...

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...[the girl] had suffered a "choking episode" caused by a piece of taffy or gum, the Lake County coroner's office said Sunday.

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And from today's Daily Herald...

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An autopsy confirmed she choked to death on a gum-like substance while riding the Raging Bull roller-coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.

Paramedics at the scene Saturday and later the coroner found pieces of bluish-green taffy blocking her throat.

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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

This is what I think on all of this mess. I think that people should stop talking about what happen at Bull on this site. It is rude to be talking about this girl. For the respect of the family i think that this fourm should be closed if all your going to do is mention "her". If your just talking about safety than that is fine..otherwise it is bad enough that the family has to deal with the news..but seeing it on other sites like this is just wrong.

People just read the signs at the park that is what they are there for. For your safety!!! End of topic. Period. My statement is closed and made :)
*** This post was edited by Coastergal17 5/6/2003 4:42:41 PM ***

Yes, reading would be good. Also following the rules would be good to.