What Attractions Do We Miss?

[Zazu]

Drinking or telling tall tales? :D:

I'm up for both!

[Zazu]

Did you hear about the CM that fell out of one of these?

Yeah, he was a custodial CM and he unfortunately lost his life. :( The attraction CMs didn't see him cleaning and started up the attraction. Happened in WDW in 1999.

But also to be more accurate, the custodian didn't fall out of the gondola, he was hit by one while standing near the edge of the loading platform and was knocked off acquiring terminal injuries.

I'm entirely too familiar with this accident, as Ray Barlow and I started in the same Traditions class.

He was cleaning areas of the Fantasyland station where he should not have gone without a tagout. He did not notice the system starting up, and was struck by the first gondola as it came around. (Though how I'm not sure, I thought there had to be someone at the station to launch each one.)

Because of the sharp rocks and trees directly below, he grabbed hold of the gondola, hoping to ride it to the midpoint. As a sexagenarian, he wasn't strong enough to climb in, and also soon realized he wasn't going to be able to hold on long enough.

Worried that he might injure the guests below him (it was about 09:50), he elected to let go above the tree (that used to be) next to Dumbo. Tragically, while the tree broke his fall, it also broke his spine, and he was gone before the Alpha run arrived.

Many's the day I contemplated our two fates -- and that custodial turned out to be more dangerous than working on the railroad.

While it was largely his error that lead to his death, his motivation to clean more than he should was still commendable, and falls under the principle of, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished".

Here's to ya, Ray!

[hobie16]

I'm up for both!

Does Club 33 have a happy hour? ;)

[darph nader]

Does Club 33 have a happy hour? ;)

That would be nice. :)
(not that it would do me any good :( )

[Whazzup]

I'm entirely too familiar with this accident, as Ray Barlow and I started in the same Traditions class.

He was cleaning areas of the Fantasyland station where he should not have gone without a tagout. He did not notice the system starting up, and was struck by the first gondola as it came around. (Though how I'm not sure, I thought there had to be someone at the station to launch each one.)

Because of the sharp rocks and trees directly below, he grabbed hold of the gondola, hoping to ride it to the midpoint. As a sexagenarian, he wasn't strong enough to climb in, and also soon realized he wasn't going to be able to hold on long enough.

Worried that he might injure the guests below him (it was about 09:50), he elected to let go above the tree (that used to be) next to Dumbo. Tragically, while the tree broke his fall, it also broke his spine, and he was gone before the Alpha run arrived.

Many's the day I contemplated our two fates -- and that custodial turned out to be more dangerous than working on the railroad.

While it was largely his error that lead to his death, his motivation to clean more than he should was still commendable, and falls under the principle of, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished".

Here's to ya, Ray!

I had heard some time ago that a couple of military guys were in the park that day and attempted to climb up "something" to get to him as he dangled from the gondola but couldn't reach him in time. Is that part true?

What a tragedy that his good deed led to his demise. :(

[kurtisnelson]

I had heard some time ago that a couple of military guys were in the park that day and attempted to climb up "something" to get to him as he dangled from the gondola but couldn't reach him in time. Is that part true?

What a tragedy that his good deed led to his demise. :(

My dad's roommate was there with a group of Navy friends and saw it happen right in front of them. I don't think they tried to do anything though.

[ktulu]

Does Club 33 have a happy hour? ;)

I think every hour is a happy hour when dining at club 33!