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Man, 44, Dies After Riding Disney World Roller Coaster
POSTED: 3:01 pm EST December 18,
2007
UPDATED: 5:27 pm EST December 18,
2007
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A 44-year-old man died after riding Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the park said Tuesday.
SLIDESHOW: Aerial Images Of Disney's Expedition Everest
PREVIOUS INCIDENT: Disney Worker Dies After Being Injured In Fall
According to information released by Walt Disney World Resort, the 44-year-old male guest was riding Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Tuesday and appeared unresponsive when his ride vehicle pulled into the unload area.Disney officials said CPR was performed on the man and no signs of trauma were found. The man was transported to Celebration Hospital where he died. The Orange County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Jeffrey Reed of Navarre, Florida, who they said was believed to be visiting the park with family.According to the sheriff's office, investigators know Reed appeared to be conscious approximately 50 seconds before the conclusion of the ride, because his photograph was taken as the coaster progressed towards the disembarkation area.Authorities are investigating if Reed had a previous medical condition, said Jim Solomons, spokesman for the sheriff's office. An autopsy was scheduled.Disney said the attraction was inspected Tuesday morning and was operating properly, but remained closed during their continued investigation."We offer the family our deepest sympathies and will provide assistance to them during this difficult time," said Andrea Finger, spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort.According to Disney, they alerted the Orange County Sheriff's Office of the death, as well as the State Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.Everest debuted in 2006, simulating a runaway train ride through the Himalayas. Riders meet a giant animatronic yeti, traveling both forward and back to avoid the monster and the train tracks it mangled. Everest has a 44-inch height requirement. Pregnant women and visitors with high blood pressure, heart, back and neck problems are warned not to ride. It was Disney's first big-ticket ride since Epcot's Mission:Space, which had been the park's biggest source of trouble in this area. Two people died after riding Mission:Space, though both had pre-existing health conditions. Disney has since built a tamer version of the ride. Everest was noticeably less thrilling from the start. Mission:Space is equipped with vomit bags and puts riders through a force two times that of gravity on a simulated trip to Mars. Everest has an 80-foot drop, but doesn't turn riders upside down. Prior to Tuesday's death, at least 15 people had died at Disney's theme parks in Florida and California since 1989, some with previous health conditions.
SLIDESHOW: Aerial Images Of Disney's Expedition EverestPREVIOUS INCIDENT: Disney Worker Dies After Being Injured In FallAccording to information released by Walt Disney World Resort, the 44-year-old male guest was riding Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Tuesday and appeared unresponsive when his ride vehicle pulled into the unload area.Disney officials said CPR was performed on the man and no signs of trauma were found. The man was transported to Celebration Hospital where he died. The Orange County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Jeffrey Reed of Navarre, Florida, who they said was believed to be visiting the park with family.According to the sheriff's office, investigators know Reed appeared to be conscious approximately 50 seconds before the conclusion of the ride, because his photograph was taken as the coaster progressed towards the disembarkation area.Authorities are investigating if Reed had a previous medical condition, said Jim Solomons, spokesman for the sheriff's office. An autopsy was scheduled.Disney said the attraction was inspected Tuesday morning and was operating properly, but remained closed during their continued investigation."We offer the family our deepest sympathies and will provide assistance to them during this difficult time," said Andrea Finger, spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort.According to Disney, they alerted the Orange County Sheriff's Office of the death, as well as the State Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.Everest debuted in 2006, simulating a runaway train ride through the Himalayas. Riders meet a giant animatronic yeti, traveling both forward and back to avoid the monster and the train tracks it mangled. Everest has a 44-inch height requirement. Pregnant women and visitors with high blood pressure, heart, back and neck problems are warned not to ride. It was Disney's first big-ticket ride since Epcot's Mission:Space, which had been the park's biggest source of trouble in this area. Two people died after riding Mission:Space, though both had pre-existing health conditions. Disney has since built a tamer version of the ride. Everest was noticeably less thrilling from the start. Mission:Space is equipped with vomit bags and puts riders through a force two times that of gravity on a simulated trip to Mars. Everest has an 80-foot drop, but doesn't turn riders upside down. Prior to Tuesday's death, at least 15 people had died at Disney's theme parks in Florida and California since 1989, some with previous health conditions.
Previous Stories:
- November 30, 2007: Disney Worker Dies After Being Injured In Fall From Ride
- May 29, 2007: 6 People Injured On Walt Disney World Water Ride
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