OSHA Fines Adventure Island for Lifeguard’s Death

A federal labor agency says Tampa, Fla., Adventure Island failed to follow procedures as a thunderstorm approached, resulting in the death of a lifeguard.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the water park $7,000 for the September 2011 incident. Lightning hit Justin Savers Inversso as stood in shallow water while evacuating patrons from the Key West Rapids ride.

The Tampa Tribune reports the water park is challenging the ruling and the fine.

Savers turned 21 the day before his death. He was at the top of the ride, some 700 feet above ground, as the storm approached. Co-workers began CPR, but he died at a hospital.

The OSHA report says employees weren’t informed to shut down the ride when lightning was within five miles of the park.