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Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:14 am
by Ms. Matterhorn
A launch cable broke on Knott's Berry Farm's Xcelerator ride. Two guests were injured and had to be transported to the hospital. The ride was closed pending investigation.
NBC story:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local ... 51017.html
Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QHuL1h_Xiw
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:19 am
by darph nader
That would sure ruin your day. Thank goodness no one was 'seriously' hurt.
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:11 am
by Disneyguy85
darph nader wrote:That would sure ruin your day. Thank goodness no one was 'seriously' hurt.
Indeed.
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:36 am
by CujoSR
Well there goes any chance of riding it at this years Haunt. Glad the emergency brakes works as they we're supposed to.
Note to self: Never ride in the front car.
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:07 am
by CBeilby
I'd be willing to bet that it's going to turn out to be a result of negligence on the part of the company, for not maintaining the ride properly.
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:13 am
by turkeyham
I have heard that DL has an inspection crew that checks out rides before opening. If there is something that looks odd, there is a delayed opening until the ride is fixed.
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:11 pm
by Ms. Matterhorn
The OC Register said today that the vid had been removed from Youtube. Also quoted Knott's as saying that cable was replaced last December, and that cables are replaced once a year. Better do it every six months from now on!
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:39 pm
by hobie16
Ms. Matterhorn wrote:The OC Register said today that the vid had been removed from Youtube.
As of 7:38 AM HST it's still available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QHuL1h_Xiw
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:12 pm
by Stripes
Still there ar of 4:12pm EDT
Re: Cable breaks on Knott's Xcelerator
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:19 pm
by felinefan
Saw it on the news last night. Doesn't surprise me. Knott's was cutting their maintenence budget when I left there, in Dec. '05. As a ride operator, I can tell you that all rides are checked before opening, but things can and do come up during the day. Knott's response was pure CYA, which is typical.
Since they start building the mazes for Haunt right after the 4th of July holiday, backstage of course, and start the onstage construction after Labor Day weekend, I doubt anything will really get fixed. Even if they did fix anything, you can bet they'll do it in the cheapest way they can. I still remember in the last 6 months or so that I wored there, maintenace told me they are chronically short on parts and supplies to fix and maintain the rides. Once a seatbelt broke on one of the cars on Charlie Brown Speedway, and they had to put the only available seatbelt in its place--a lightweight one more suited to Huff'N'Puff. They later replaced that one with a more suitable belt, but all the time I was one Speedway, I worried that the lighter belt might break and injure a guest. Luckily, it held.