Two men who succumbed after being on Walt Disney World attractions this winter both died of natural causes, according to the Orange/Osceola Medical Examiner's Office.
Disney reported the deaths of Oscar Wicker Jr., 51, of Pulaski, Miss., and John Parietti, 67, of New York, plus two serious injuries, in documents submitted to the state covering the first quarter of 2007. Those and quarterly "incident" reports from other major Florida theme parks were released earlier this week by the Florida Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.
Parietti had trouble standing after getting off the Epcot ride Soarin' on Jan. 15, and died two days later, according to the reports.
The Medical Examiner's Office reviewed his death but did not perform an autopsy or prepare a report. Parietti also was suffering from slurred speech and right-side weakness after the ride, so he was rushed to Sand Lake Hospital. "It appeared he had a stroke, so we were not involved," said Sheri Blanton, spokeswoman for the medical examiner
Wicker died March 15 at Florida Hospital Celebration Health after collapsing at Disney's Blizzard Beach. After performing an autopsy, Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia concluded he had a heart attack and died, Blanton said.
Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said the company offered full support and condolences to the families of both men.
Disney also reported that an 89-year-old woman fell and broke a hip in February while getting out of a ride vehicle at the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion, and a 27-year-old man had a seizure in March on Disney's Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest.
Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reported no serious injuries related to their rides in the first three months of 2007.
Wicker was the 11th person to die after being stricken in a Disney World park in the past 2 1/2 years.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disney1807apr18,0,7487514.story?track=rss
Disney reported the deaths of Oscar Wicker Jr., 51, of Pulaski, Miss., and John Parietti, 67, of New York, plus two serious injuries, in documents submitted to the state covering the first quarter of 2007. Those and quarterly "incident" reports from other major Florida theme parks were released earlier this week by the Florida Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.
Parietti had trouble standing after getting off the Epcot ride Soarin' on Jan. 15, and died two days later, according to the reports.
The Medical Examiner's Office reviewed his death but did not perform an autopsy or prepare a report. Parietti also was suffering from slurred speech and right-side weakness after the ride, so he was rushed to Sand Lake Hospital. "It appeared he had a stroke, so we were not involved," said Sheri Blanton, spokeswoman for the medical examiner
Wicker died March 15 at Florida Hospital Celebration Health after collapsing at Disney's Blizzard Beach. After performing an autopsy, Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia concluded he had a heart attack and died, Blanton said.
Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said the company offered full support and condolences to the families of both men.
Disney also reported that an 89-year-old woman fell and broke a hip in February while getting out of a ride vehicle at the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion, and a 27-year-old man had a seizure in March on Disney's Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest.
Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reported no serious injuries related to their rides in the first three months of 2007.
Wicker was the 11th person to die after being stricken in a Disney World park in the past 2 1/2 years.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disney1807apr18,0,7487514.story?track=rss
