Originally Posted By MPierce By Anika Myers Palm and David Breen, Orlando Sentinel 9:31 p.m. EDT, May 21, 2011 Walt Disney World shut down its popular Space Mountain attraction for inspections Saturday after a woman was found unconscious at the end of the ride. It was unclear whether the ride would reopen for Magic Kingdom guests today. The 48-year-old woman fell unconscious about 9a.m., according to Andrea Finger, a Disney spokeswoman. Reedy Creek Fire Rescue, which handles medical emergencies for Disney's parks, transported her to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital on Turkey Lake Road. According to Assistant Chief Bo Jones, the woman was unconscious but had a pulse and was breathing on her own when transported. Her name and condition were not released. "Our thoughts and concerns are with the guest and her family," Finger said. "We have sent a representative to the hospital to assist them with their needs." The representative had left the hospital by late afternoon, according to hospital staff. Disney technicians must complete an inspection of the ride before it is reopened to guests. The iconic indoor roller-coaster ride opened at Walt Disney World in 1975. Space Mountain also can be found at Disney's other parks in California, Japan, France and Hong Kong. Guests waiting to board are warned that they should be "in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure." In previous years, three guests have died at the Florida park after falling unconscious on the ride or soon after riding it. All three had pre-existing health conditions. •An 11-year-old girl from Brazil died on Christmas 2004 after "throwing up and passing out" while standing in line for the ride, according to a report at the time from the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The girl had previously ridden the ride three times and was waiting to ride it a fourth time. She had respiratory and pulmonary health problems, according to the Sheriff's Office. •A terminally ill 6-year-old boy from Israel fainted after riding Space Mountain on Aug.1, 2006. He died that night, with cancer cited as the cause. •A 73-year-old man died in January 2007, three days after he had lost consciousness on the ride. The man's death was attributed to a heart condition.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 It really isnt that unusual as you might think. There have always been people who have passed out on Space Mountain. The difference today is that it makes the news. Years ago Disney was able to keep alot of these type of incidents under wraps, no longer with everyone having web enabled phones and video cameras.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones It's no secret that roller coasters are risky for those with cardiac problems. If someone with a bad heart rides Space Mountain and comes out unconscious or dies, what are you going to do? More warnings? Tame down the ride? Does it mean that those of us that enjoy coasters (millions of people) can't enjoy them anymore? Okay, so the public is warned. Now what's the solution? My solution is to take no action.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 I know it's REALLY REALLY off topic but whenever I read about the Reedy Creek/WDW Fire Department I think of those nasty tales in that behind the scenes book! NOT very MAGICAL! ; )
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Not to be rude but... WARNING SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE!! I hope she'll be ok
Originally Posted By standor That is the reason why Disney should make less thrill rides and more family friendly rides. Most of the new attractions are thrill rides. Disney should keep the family togethe instead of separating them.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Okay, but space mountain opened over 35 years ago. What does less new thrill rides have to do with this event? Not to mention that SM is fairly tame as "thrill" rides go. Bad things happening to folks is not something I like to hear, and I hope this woman is alright. However, people die every day and it's no one's fault. That is life. If there are no negligent parties, I'm not sure that you can respond to every bad event or death on this Earth. You'd be very busy and not accomplish much.
Originally Posted By Manfried There have been a few of these over the years as people with known health conditions specifically called out in the warnings, ride the ride anyway.
