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Disney Worker Dies After Being Injured In Fall From Ride

Thursday, November 29, 2007 – updated: 7:58 am EST November 30, 2007

Disney officials announced Thursday night that Karen Price, 63, died after an accident on a ride at Animal Kingdom. Eyewitness News went inside the park Thursday to get details.


SLIDESHOW: Images Of "Primeval Whirl" Ride
RIDE THE RIDE: Onboard Animal Kingdom's "Primeval Whirl"

Disney told Eyewitness News that Price was hit by one of the cars on the Primeval Whirl ride. The ride knocked her off of a platform and Price hit her head.

Disney said Price was in the loading area of the ride on Saturday, where other employees could be seen still working Thursday, but Disney said employees were not supposed to be in certain parts of the loading area when the ride is moving. Somehow, Price ended up in the path of the moving rollercoaster and was struck.

The rollercoaster was shut down after Saturday afternoon's accident. The entire ride was inspected and was reopened Sunday morning. Thursday, ride attendants at Primeval Whirl had a lengthy discussion with other Disney employees at the loading and unloading platform.

Immediately after Saturday's accident, Price was alert and talking and her head injury was not thought to be serious.

"These things happen. Again, this is a simple accident. No reason for us to get involved," said Jim Solomons of the Orange County Sheriff's Office after the incident happened.

Late Wednesday afternoon, though, Disney notified the sheriff's office that the woman's condition had turned grave and that the sheriff's office might eventually have to do a death investigation. Thursday evening, Disney officials announced that Price had died.

Disney is not releasing further details of the accident. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said an investigation was underway both locally and federally.

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