ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A Walt Disney World employee was pronounced dead Monday morning, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said 52-year-old Russell Sherry Roscoe was rushed to the hospital Sunday after suffering a head injury while working on a ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
911 CALL: Worker Injured At Animal Kingdom (graphic)
Disney officials said Roscoe was working on the Primeval Whirl attraction when the accident happened around 3:45pm.
The ride, which Disney describes as a mild rollercoaster, is closed while undergoing maintenance so no guests were in the area when the accident happened. Bo Jones, the assistant chief of Reedy Creek Emergency Services, says the cause of the accident was not clear.
This statement from Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton was released Monday afternoon: "Our Walt Disney World community has experienced a tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Russ Roscoe's family and we are working to assist them during this difficult time; our thoughts and our prayers are with them. Our thoughts are also with Russ' fellow cast members and the first responders who came to his aid. We deeply appreciate all their efforts. There is no higher priority than the safety of our cast and our guests, and we will work with authorities to thoroughly review every aspect of this incident."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit is working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the ingoing investigation.
WFTV
