My deepest sympathies to the family. I cannot even imagine the grief of having to return home from vacation without your child It does puzzle me however about this ride. I loved the ride, but when I rode it, I kept waiting for the intense part to start . . . and (for me) it just never did. I think that I got worked up more over the hype than the actual ride. I could see where it might be too intense for your average 4-year old . . . but enough to cause death? . . . very, very sad.