Disney Carousel Death: 77-Year-Old Woman Collapses (From Dec., reported today)

[jakeman]

Apologies if this has been posted.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/disney-carousel-death_n_819820.html

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A 77-year-old woman collapsed and died at Walt Disney World in December after riding a carousal.

The Orlando Sentinel said Sunday that Disney reported the death as part of a quarterly injury report. Florida's big theme parks have an agreement with the state to report guest injuries in exchange for avoiding state ride-safety regulation.

The report indicated the woman had a pre-existing heart condition before she rode the Prince Charming Regal Carousel.

Walt Disney World reported two other injuries in the fourth quarter of last year. A 71-year-old woman broke a hip and shoulder after riding the carousel and a 76-year-old woman injured her leg after falling on a moving platform for another ride.

No other parks reported injuries in the quarter.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Two injuries in three months on the carousel, of all places. That's wild. Sad to hear that one was fatal.

 

[NewfieFan]

Sad she died... but maybe her last days were happy ones... if they were being spent at WDW!?!

 

[menamechris]

Of all rides.....what a sad way to go....

 

[castevens]

"Florida's big theme parks have an agreement with the state to report guest injuries in exchange for avoiding state ride-safety regulation."

Can someone elaborate? What would they have to do if they did not report injuries?

 

[Wilt Dasney]

"Florida's big theme parks have an agreement with the state to report guest injuries in exchange for avoiding state ride-safety regulation."

Can someone elaborate? What would they have to do if they did not report injuries?

Just a guess, but they'd probably have to let state inspectors in to examine the rides and make binding recommendations. I believe this is the case at Disneyland (and is the reason the Alice in Wonderland ride recently had to have a railing installed after decades without one).

 

[menamechris]

"Florida's big theme parks have an agreement with the state to report guest injuries in exchange for avoiding state ride-safety regulation."

Can someone elaborate? What would they have to do if they did not report injuries?

Basically, Florida inspectors do not come in and inspect rides and regulate their safety measures - Disney is responsible for adhering to their own safety codes, maintenance, and regulations. Universal Studios is also under same agreement with Florida. The idea from the corporate standpoint is that this is better, because Disney and Universal have more rigorous maintenance and safety protocol than the State of Florida would require, because their reputation is in the safety of their theme parks. All Florida requires in return for not conducting inspection themselves is that all injury related incidents are reported to them. I am not sure, but I think this was only enacted about 10 years ago or so. Hence, why there are so many urban legends about injuries and deaths at Disney throughout the 80's....

 

[flavious27]

Basically, Florida inspectors do not come in and inspect rides and regulate their safety measures - Disney is responsible for adhering to their own safety codes, maintenance, and regulations. Universal Studios is also under same agreement with Florida. The idea from the corporate standpoint is that this is better, because Disney and Universal have more rigorous maintenance and safety protocol than the State of Florida would require, because their reputation is in the safety of their theme parks. All Florida requires in return for not conducting inspection themselves is that all injury related incidents are reported to them. I am not sure, but I think this was only enacted about 10 years ago or so. Hence, why there are so many urban legends about injuries and deaths at Disney throughout the 80's....

Makes sense, though I doubt that the only reason it was mentioned was because this is a huff post article.