It's now being reported that the people that were supposed to be in charge of the monorail switch that night (including management) have have actually been at Denny's just off property. This would have left the switch to be done by maintenence workers which sould know the proceedure anyway.
http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/20000629/detail.html
In any case, last night during the routine monorail switch around the same time of night as the accident, Disney Security were all over the scene stopping anyone from getting too close. Obviously some press have been trying to video the switch and they are protecting area. I ran into a bus driver that came all the way to Epcot at 3:30AM to clock out because he was ran out of the TTC area by security.
I don't want to get in the lawsuit versus non-lawsuit argument, but if the manager's were not on property, not properly attending to the responsibilities of their job, I'm not sure how is that
not negligent. Disney is the company that employs those people. They are ultimately liable for their actions or inactions. It was a terrible tragedy, and for the sake of Austin and his family, they absolutely should have some sort of civil closure. Yes, it was an accident, but it occurred because of negligent behavior on the part of Disney managers. That is cause for litigation. If I am Austin's mother, father, brother, cousin, or friend, I would absolutely hope that Disney is held responsible in some way (financially) so that his life is not forgotten, so any earnings he may have made during his life are at least somewhat made up for, so that his family has the ability to properly see to his remains, so that a scholarship or memorial could be set up in his name. There are millions of reasons his family is entitled to some compensation from the liable parties. The only reasons they shouldn't be held liable is because it's Disney, and because the stigma an extremely small fraction of frivolous lawsuits have given civil litigation.
In an ideal world, Disney would do all of those things voluntarily, financially taking care of funeral arrangements, lost wages, scholarships, and most importantly honoring the lost life. However, that does not seem likely. Therefore, litigation is the only course of action left for a family that is in mourning.
And to all those people bashing him because of his age in the other thread. Those words must taste so bitter. His last actions on earth were putting his life on the line to try and save 6 strangers. How is that for a 21 year old?
And because his mangers were too busy eating Grand Slams;
Well done, Austin! Great work! Thank you, and keep it up!
At least we will learn something from this valiant man's loss.
