http://www.newsnet5.com/entertainment/3523436/detail.html
UPDATED: 12:26 PM EDT July 13, 2004
SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Four people are recovering after shards of metal started flying Monday while they were riding Top Thrill Dragster, NewsChannel5 reported.
A metal cable was reportedly frayed on the 420 foot tall coaster, and when the cart rolled over the cable metal shards were sent flying, said Janice Witherow, Cedar Point's spokeswoman.
The four riders were hit by debris as the train was being launched.
The riders were reportedly treated at the park's First Aid station. Two others reportedly chose to seek medical attention at a Sandusky hospital.
One rider was reportedly injured when a shard of metal struck him in the chest. His condition, however, is unknown. Privacy laws forbid hospitals from releasing information on conditions.
Terry Downey said his 20-year-old son, Joel, was on the ride with friends when he told him that something snapped. The ride reaches 120 mph.
"All of the sudden, it felt like they were being hit by bugs because the ride was going so fast," he said. "He said when the ride stopped everybody was looking at him and he said there was blood on everybody."
Meanwhile, Cedar Point officials said the park has an overall good safety record. The world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, however, is shut down indefinitely. This is the second time in a month that the ride has been shut down.
UPDATED: 12:26 PM EDT July 13, 2004
SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Four people are recovering after shards of metal started flying Monday while they were riding Top Thrill Dragster, NewsChannel5 reported.
A metal cable was reportedly frayed on the 420 foot tall coaster, and when the cart rolled over the cable metal shards were sent flying, said Janice Witherow, Cedar Point's spokeswoman.
The four riders were hit by debris as the train was being launched.
The riders were reportedly treated at the park's First Aid station. Two others reportedly chose to seek medical attention at a Sandusky hospital.
One rider was reportedly injured when a shard of metal struck him in the chest. His condition, however, is unknown. Privacy laws forbid hospitals from releasing information on conditions.
Terry Downey said his 20-year-old son, Joel, was on the ride with friends when he told him that something snapped. The ride reaches 120 mph.
"All of the sudden, it felt like they were being hit by bugs because the ride was going so fast," he said. "He said when the ride stopped everybody was looking at him and he said there was blood on everybody."
Meanwhile, Cedar Point officials said the park has an overall good safety record. The world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, however, is shut down indefinitely. This is the second time in a month that the ride has been shut down.
