Deposition: Maintenance Guide Ignored on Ride that Injured Kentucky Teen

April 15, 2008

  • April 15, 2008 at 3:16 am
    Dread says:
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    It’s usually human apathy and ignorance that contributes to things like this. Just because maintenance workers failed to inspect/maintain the equipment as the manufacturer recommended, this girl’s life is ruined. They should include criminal negligence charges against the morons who were paid to inspect this cable and were too lazy to do so. Why does it always take a tragedy to get somebody’s attention?

  • April 15, 2008 at 4:30 am
    Say What says:
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    I hate to say it but every time the carnival rolls through town I refuse to take the kids to it because I’ve witnessed first hand the hired help plowing down Mai Tai’s at the local watering hole and then going to set up the rides. I opt instead to visit Six Flags based on the assumption they would have their act together. In addition to this tragedy, our local Six Flags in Mass had at least three episodes last year (one death). I don’t trust these operations at all!!

  • April 15, 2008 at 4:36 am
    Let's see now,.... says:
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    This depo seems a little contradictory to earlier reports (and blasting) of the “underage” operator not knowing what he was doing or being too young.

  • April 16, 2008 at 8:25 am
    Dave says:
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    The reality is that “thrill rides” by their nature are inherently dangerous. That’s why people ride them in the first place. Many of the push the laws of physics to the brink. Operators have little or no control over safety when it comes to a structural component of the ride, in this case, the cable. While doing the proper inspections can make them safer, they’ll never be 100% safe. Just look at the idiots to insist on standing up in a roller coaster car with “no hands” holding on.

  • April 16, 2008 at 8:32 am
    Diane says:
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    Another thing……..ALL cables on thrill rides should be replaced at specified time intervals regardless of whether they’re worn.

  • April 16, 2008 at 5:04 am
    SP says:
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    Diane,

    I agree. Just like with other activities where equipment is relied upon to keep people safe. For example, I rock climb. The ropes used can’t be used forever with the expectation that they will never breakdown and wear. So I replace my ropes often, probably more often thatn I need to. But its my life and my kid’s life. Why an amusement park that deals with millions of visitors a year and high stress on the equipment would not look to replace the cables more often, is beyond me.



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