Six Flags worker killed

[CujoSR]

From: DailyNews.com
Cal-OSHA investigating circumstances

By Amy Raisin Darvish
Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- A Magic Mountain employee was killed Friday morning by a roller coaster train when she stepped onto the tracks of the ride after routine maintenance tests, authorities said.

The employee was hit at 10 a.m. by a train on the SCREAM! ride as the theme park was opening its gates in the midst of its busy spring break rush. Emergency crews responded within minutes and transported the victim to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

Authorities did not say whether the woman, who park officials said was 21 years old, died at the scene or at the hospital.

Sue Carpenter, a spokeswoman for Magic Mountain at Six Flags California, said the employee was in a restricted area when the incident occurred, adding that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Investigators from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health were called to the scene. The workplace safety agency reported that the employee was testing the ride's braking system moments before the park opened.

"From what we've learned so far, the employee walked across the tracks (when exiting) instead of through an exit gate," said Dean Fryer, a spokesman for Cal-OSHA. "This is a workplace-safety issue and there are a number of things we will investigate."

The yellow-and-blue, corkscrew coaster, the newest at Magic Mountain, was closed Friday, the ride's entrance blocked by six large trash cans. An employee posted near the cans informed visitors the coaster was closed because of "technical difficulties."

Early reports of Friday's tragedy were eerily similar to an employee death at the Valencia park eight years earlier. In May 1996, a woman operating the Revolution roller coaster was hit by a train and died at the scene.

Cherie La Motte, 25, had been helping to board and unload passengers when she was crushed by the 6-ton car in front of a platform of waiting riders. Magic Mountain officials said at the time that La Motte violated park policy by walking across the track, but Cal-OSHA investigators countered that the park had lax standards for ride operators and had failed to discipline employees who did not follow the policy.

Park officials said there were no visitors at the SCREAM! ride at the time of Friday's accident. Los Angeles County Fire officials received their first call at 10:03 a.m., three minutes after the park opened.

SCREAM! is a one-year-old floorless roller coaster which allows riders, strapped into chairs with their feet dangling, to race through twists and turns at up to 65 mph.

Fryer said the reopening of the coaster will depend on the results of Cal-OSHA's investigation and whether the employee was in a restricted area, as park officials said.

"If there's no danger to the employees and no problem with the ride, then there would be no reason to shut it down," Fryer said. "First we have to get all the details of what happened prior to the accident and at the time of the accident."


From: Yahoo Finance
Updated Statement From Six Flags Magic Mountain

Cal/OSHA Clears SCREAM Roller Coaster to Open
Ride to Remain Closed This Weekend Out of Respect for Family and Friends


VALENCIA, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a thorough inspection yesterday, Cal/OSHA has released the Scream roller coaster at Magic Mountain for normal operation. Out of respect for the Rackchamroon family and Bantita's fellow employees, the park will keep the ride closed through the weekend.

The LA County Sheriff's department also investigated the incident and have concluded that the incident was a tragic accident. It is not known why the employee deviated from her safety training procedures and walked underneath the track of the ride.

The safety and security of our guests and employees is our number one priority and the primary focus in our training and operating procedures. We are proud of our safety record and feel confident we have the proper procedures in place to keep our employees safe.

Our deepest sympathy remains with Bantita Rackchamroon's family and friends. All of us at Magic Mountain mourn the loss of our co-worker. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy.

[CujoSR]

My thoughts and prayers go out to this girl's family. What a tragedy.