Teen killed in Batman low zone at Six Flags Over Georgia

Very sad, indeed. My heart goes out to his friends and family. We've all done foolish things (most of us not on this level), but unfortunately this ended a life. Very tragic.

But what really gets me is how some people not directly associated with this incident now say they won't be going to an amusement park again because of this. That's like saying "A guy in Tokyo jumped off an escalator at a shopping mall so I'm not going to a shopping mall ever again!"

*** This post was edited by jephsteph 6/29/2008 11:25:51 AM ***

Why does this same thing keep happening with B&M inverts? Its always for a hat, or something trivial.

Fences are built for a reason. It would be hard to find sympathy for someone who loses playing russian roulette, and this is no different. I do however feel sad for the family.

Darwin Award candidate, hands down.

Wow. What an idiot. That was probably the dumbest thing to do for something that was not such a big deal. I hope his family does not sue Six Flags.

This is sad because it seems like something that is easily preventable. Where were the kid's parents during all of this?

I also hate how most of the news stories about this incident bring up last year's horrible accident, as if they are related.

What a stupid thing to do! What were these kids thinking? I feel bad for the family and friends of this kid and anyone who saw this happen. I do feel bad that the kid died but hard to feel sorry for him when he was doing something so stupid! He was 17 and should have known better, so it does not matter where his parents were! I hope 6 Flags does not get sued because this is not there fault!

^^He was 17 and even though it states that his family was in the park, at that age, you aren't required to hold your parent's hand all day. Of course, I would also think a 17 year old would have more common sense than that.

I agree about bringing up other incidents. I can understand the one about the worker in 2002, but the incident at SFKK is totally unrelated.

Are you kidding? The average 17 year old acts as though he is immortal and has full diplomatic immunity.

They call it the kill zone for a reason. I feel bad, but a 6 foot fence is not an invitation. He shouldn't have been in there in the first place, but even so, B&Ms aren't exactly the quietest coasters. Must not have been even paying attention. Does anyone know where this happened on the ride?

Where were the kid's parents during all of this?

They were probably in the picnic area with the rest of the church group. According to the latest report I saw the teen and a friend snuck away from the picnic area and jumped the fences in order to "touch the ride." Police are interviewing the second teen, who was unhurt.

I am reading reports he tried to jump on the ride
I am thinking he may have seen the drop tower story of the ride op going for a ride.He was reported to have been killed when his body struck a support.I am waiting to hear reports from the people on the ride when this happened.

The following questions will have to be answered.

Did any riders of the preceding trains see these kids ?

Are there any security cams on the fence line ?

Was another train dispatched before ride was shut down ?
(even in 2 train operation another train would be loaded)

I feel for the family.This was not the parks fault.
The family is grieving . So I will hold any comments about this kid until a more appropriate time.

"Did any riders of the preceding trains see these kids ?"

If anyone on the preceding train saw them, the other train would have already been dispatched when they got back to the station to tell an operator.

Brian Noble- "Diplomatic Immunity"

'has just been revoked."

UPDATE:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080630/ap_on_re_us/six_flags_death

^^They'll never know why he jumped the fences?? Ummm...ask the other person he was with!! Sheesh....

It just proves that those who wish to commit suicide nature or man will find a way to accomadate the request.

IT would seem that being 17 should give you enough sense not to jump two fences and trying to get back into the park the wrong way. If it's true that he lost a hat on the ride then tough crap kid and sorry that it cost you your life in trying to get it back.

^tig - police have questioned the second party. I'm sure more is known than is being told to reporters. Notice the comment by the family member at the end? That in itself is quite telling....

Can't seem to find any comment by family member.