Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Wow, I have no idea what the family is going through. You just don't expect something like this to happen on a vacation to WDW. this is not good for Disney though. I really wonder if it will cause Disney to realize that they need to move away from thrill rides and focus on family stuff. Not that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was super intense, but still. The fact that 7 people have died since 2004 is incredible for a Disney park.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: It's getting to the points where my sisters and I are afraid to conjur up any more Disney web-footed sites in our crystal ball--for fear we're going to be reading about the latest death at a Disney theme park. Of course we have to remind ourselves that--unfortunately--sweet little ducklings die every day, somewhere. The fact that a Disney theme park is the backdrop for certain deaths, recently, makes those tragedies stand out all the more. One just never knows which day is their last...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <The fact that 7 people have died since 2004 is incredible for a Disney park< my guess is the number also includes the woman who died on pirates and the girl who died at the water park -- so not all are thrill ride related....and while understanding that these deaths seem to have been able to occur anywhere at that time due mainly to hidden health issues, or in the case of the woman on pirates..simply old age conditions -- the loss of any child is heartbreaking forme as a parent. I would like to see less focus on thrills ( but yet the thrills at Disney are mild compared to the supercoasters out there etc.)- so not sure what the answer is.
Originally Posted By virk4 I feel sad for the family. This ride, though, is really pretty tame in the world of roller coasters. I hope the ride is not tainted with this negative publicity.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 again, chances are better you'd get struck by lightning then have something happen based on the millions of riders and now 1 fatality. That is a comfort to all of us -- but not for the poor parents here....
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 Unfortunately, any place or thing that has to do with a death will be tainted by negativity.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Official Orange County, Florida Sheriff Statement: A 12 year old boy died following a ride on the Rock-n-Roller Coaster at MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida. Investigators have determined that the youngster got off of the roller coaster after completing the ride with his seven year old brother and his mother and father. The youngster reportedly went limp while exiting the ride. His father initiated CPR. MGM cast members who worked the attraction called rescue. Reedy Creek Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported the youngster to Celebration Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The child has been identified as Michael Russell. He and his family were reportedly vacationing in the Orlando area from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Homicide investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident scene to determine the cause of death. At this point there is no reason to suspect foul play in this incident.
Originally Posted By DisneyWorldMom I feel so bad for the parents... My heart goes out to them... Disney should keep the ride closed until they no for sure it was not their fault...
Originally Posted By Roger55 Just curious. What type of incident on RnRC could be considered Disney's fault if the ride was operating normally? From what I have read, I assume there was no collision or impact with any object or other vehicle. There was no reported failure of the safety restraint system where the boy came out of the ride. I'm assuming the boy met the minimum height requirement so the CM's were not negligent in letting him ride. Anyone else know of any other possible scenario here where Disney could be at fault? Since this ride has been operating for so many years now, I would be surprised if it is determined that there is something inherant to the ride that could cause injury or death to people in good health meeting the eligibility requirement. So sad. If it turns out that there was a previously unknown health condition of the boy, it sure is unfortunate that there is no good way to find it out before he rode the ride.
Originally Posted By brotherdave My guess is that there may have been a hidden medical condition like the deaths that occurred on Mission: Space, though we won't know until the Medical Examiner's report. My heartfelt sympathies to the family. I was just on that ride last week with my 8 year old son (who absolutely loved it). I can't bear to think if something like this were to have happened to him. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<< who was reported to be either 7 or 12 by authorities >> HUH? Well how old IS he Barney Fife?
Originally Posted By brotherdave It sounds like the paper or the authorities may have confused the boy with his 7 year old brother who was riding with him.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 It's truly an awful story. It is heartbreaking. But as to the poster who questioned why it's news, I can only say because it happened at a world-famous theme park. And WDW has had a very bad two years of people dropping dead on its attractions and in its parks. I'm reasonably sure this is another example of a pre-existing condition coming out on an attraction, but that doesn't make it any better for the family or Disney or anyone.
Originally Posted By jkayjs It is nearly impossible to wrap your mind around how overwhelmed this family must feel right now. But if you would allow me I'ld like to use this as a chance to highlight that it was the father himself who administered CPR. This is perhaps one of the most important and hopefully least used skill any parent/person can have. Unfortunately in this situation it was unsuccessful but if it could have been it probably would have been since it was initiated immediately. There is only one substitute for properly preformed CPR in the first minutes of a cardiac event and that is an AED which requires CPR initiation if unsuccessful. So please if you do not know CPR take a course and if you have stay up to date. The ability to breath life back into a fellow human is a skill that requires no special equipment and can save a family from unfathomable anguish. Thank you for indulging me.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip If there is one thing I've discovered over the years is that when you wake up in the morning you really have no idea what the day might bring. I've seen so many times when someone with a seemingly normal life has been suddenly faced with totally unexpected tragedy. My heart goes out to the parents. You can't keep your child in a bubble though to protect them. The world is an inherently dangerous place.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey What a terrible, terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family. What an awful thing to happen.
Originally Posted By kennect Roadtrip, you are so right....I got a good one thrown at me today while OT it relates to some degree here....Apparently I have had a second heart attack even though I have been walking around the last two weeks like nothing happened...Unknown health issues can show up at anytime...Of course it is much sadder when they happen in a situation such as this...But everyone should keep in mind there is always the potential....Whether it be a child or an adult all humans should be aware of their health status at all times...And that is just precauntionary considering there are so many things that could get overlooked by a physician...Good health is enjoyed by most but not by all regardless of age....
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ Yes, you really never know what might happen. My mother and sister-in-law have both lost infants to SIDS. Both my first wife and my youngest sister were victims of forcible rape. My father died of a heart attack when he was only 55. During the last year two of my brothers-in-law who are only in their late fifties have experienced heart attacks. None of these things were anticipated; all had a huge impact on those who loved them. Life is not always easy. Count every good day you have as a blessing. I hope things go well for you kennect.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Tragedies happen all over, every day regardless of your age, your status in life or (even) seemingly your outward appearance. Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers, an all-around good guy, just lost his six-month-old son last night to SIDS. It happens and nothing can lessen the pain.
