Homer Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060225/BREAKING/60225014 WINTER HAVEN -- A boy fell off the Triple Hurricane roller coaster at Cypress Gardens Saturday night and was airlifted to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa with multiple injuries, according to a Cypress Gardens spokeswoman. The boy fell from a height of about 15 feet, said spokeswoman Lynn Wright. Wright said she did not know if the boy's injuries were life-threatening. The boy is described as between 12 and 15-years old. No further information on his identity or condition was released by the park or emergency personnel. The incident happened around 6 p.m. It's not yet known how the boy fell off the wooden roller coaster. ``All indications are there was no malfunction with the ride,'' Wright said in a written statement. ``The restraint in the seat the boy was in was still down and locked when the ride came to a stop.'' The park has notified the state Bureau of Fair Rides, and the ride has been temporarily closed pending the conclusion of their investigation. Cypress Gardens C.E.O. Kent Buescher released a statement, saying, ``The safety and enjoyment of our guests is always our primary concern. All rides at the park are thoroughly inspected and tested on a daily basis to ensure they are operating correctly, and we do everything possible to ensure that our guests comply with safety protocols. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young man and his family.'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannerdw Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 That's really strange that the restraint was still locked when it came back into the station. I would guess that this kid was probably trying to get out of the restraint. That's usually how these things happen. But I really don't understand how he could have been thrown completely over the rail along the track to land on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterguy618 Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 If the restraint was locked, he was probably doing somthing stupid like standing up, and that is what made him fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 As soon as I saw this story I said "standing up". Thats gonna have to be my final answer on this one. Now, if he was standing up because he wanted to get an extra thrill or if he was just scared I don't know, but judging from his age and the fact that no one else was riding with him, I'm going with extra thrill. Now he's in the hospital, hopefully that'll learn him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeezus Juice Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 ^ Especially given that this coaster is only about 15 feet tall I'm going with the goof-off scenario. Hopefully this doesn't keep the coaster closed very long, otherwise I'll have to go find this kid and step on his oxygen hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster1 Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Now he's in the hospital, hopefully that'll learn him! Nah he won't just the extending the perpetual cycle of the idiots in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Um yeah, this coaster goes about 25mph and 20 feet off the ground, my vote also goes for 'rider error'!' Here's the video of the coaster if anyone wants to see it! http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=169 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatality Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 That still sucks for the kid. He's only like 12 or something. But the Woodie just goes up and down over and over again, and turns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadley Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Well, we can be pretty sure airtime didn't throw him off...there isn't any. But I too have to say he was screwing around. Probably thinking, "I always wanted to stand up on one of these, and this is a little coaster it can't possibly hurt me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MF310ryb Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I will also agree with the idiot part. Watching that Video and reading the Lap bar was locked still he had to of been doing something really stupid. I feel bad for the fact he's in the Hospital and hope he's ok. It's idiots like this that are causing all the up roar on ride regulation safety. These rides are safe no matter what engineers do to make them fool proof their will be some moron out there that will figure it out and hurt themselves. Parks should do a maturity test on top of the height restrictions. It's getting out of hand with people trying to be "cool". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Jeez, that ride is tiny. If the ride didn't malfunction, then there can only be one possible answer. Can we have a ban on stupid people riding coasters in Florida until after I've visited? I'd actually like to ride these coasters, not watch the Florida CSI team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougr Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A state agency reports that an inspection Sunday uncovered no problems with the Cyprus Gardens roller coaster from which an Orlando boy fell. Officials said 13-year-old Martin Llamas remains in intensive care at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa. He was airlifted there Saturday after falling from the Triple Hurricane roller coaster at the Polk County theme park. Hospital officials did not comment on his injuries. Carrie Rogers, a spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff's Office, said the fall appears to be a tragic accident. A preliminary investigation shows that Llamas came out of the car, went over the rail and dropped about 10 or 12 feet onto grass. She said an investigation into the fall is ongoing. The boy's family could not be reached for comment. Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press From http://www.wesh.com/news/7475934/detail.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 ^ Wow, thats a new way to spell Cypress!!! Yeah Im guessing that the kid was being a dumbass and decided it would be cool to stand up on the coaster (maybe thinking it was small enough that nothing would happen). But did anyone else catch that his last name is Llamas? Colin"haha llamas..."C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 "Parks should do a maturity test on top of the height restrictions" I'd fail that test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 ^ Wow, thats a new way to spell Cypress!!! They were probably thinking it was named after the island, and not the tree (dumbasses!) I'm with Tom, even if the woodie is kind of lame, it's still a woodie and I hope its open next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 ^ Wow, thats a new way to spell Cypress!!! They were probably thinking it was named after the island, and not the tree (dumbasses!) I'm with Tom, even if the woodie is kind of lame, it's still a woodie and I hope its open next month. If it does turn out that the kid decided to disobey the rules, it's proof if proof be needed that no ride is safe from the most unpredictable element on any thrill machine - the people who ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I can't believe that thing is even capable of harming someone. Should be interesting seeing exactly how he got out of the restraint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalMAN123 Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I think this kid was probably being an idiot. Sure, he may be the same age as me, but I'm not that stupid. ---Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I just saw this on the local news(its only about 950 miles away ) Anyway it said that he is listed in serious condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadley Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I guess the kid can be glad his fall happened at Cypress Gardens, and not another park where he would've undoubtedly piledrived himself into the concrete! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory DG Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 According to NewsChannel 8 in Tampa, the boy was dared to stand up by his "friends." I have a video of the news story on my site. If it doesn't work, then my little webserver is overloaded... :-/ Edit: BTW, the coaster is back up and running, so no worries there folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenDen Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 ^ The local news in Fort Lauderdale is reporting the same thing. Apparently happened during a "turn". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryH Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 A dare? Someone needs to slap the kid upside the head so he can get some sense knocked into him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarmor Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 When its all over he is still gonna be considered "cool" among his friends for his "daring" choices lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeezus Juice Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 ^^ I agree, what kind of sad and pathetic person would stand up on MIB...I mean TripleH!! -Don "Hope's he doesen't die, but he needs a good whoopin'!" Blasto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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