Rock-and-Roll Claims Another Victim

Sad story from Disney World where a 12 year old died after riding the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster:

A 12-year-old died today after riding the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios theme park, going limp near the end of the ride as he sat next to his mother, officials said this afternoon.

His father, riding behind his son with the boy's 7-year-old brother, noticed the boy's condition and immediately began CPR when the coaster stopped, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The family was on vacation to Florida from Fort Campbell, Ky., where the father is a member of the Green Berets.

A 911 call at 11:21 a.m. said the boy was unconscious and not breathing after the ride. Reedy Creek Fire Rescue, which responds to emergency calls at Walt Disney World, noted in its 911 call report that there was no defibrillator available before rescue workers arrived about 11:26 a.m.

The boy, identified this afternoon as Michael Russell, was taken to Celebration Hospital, where he was officially declared dead.

Disney World officials said they closed the roller coaster "pending an investigation," but added that an "initial review of the attraction shows the ride was operating normally." It is not known where the coaster will reopen.

[...]

According to state records reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, this would be the seventh person whose death is associated with Disney attractions since the Christmas season of 2004. The most recent was in April, when Hiltrud Blumel, a 49-year-old German woman, died after riding Epcot's Mission: Space simulator ride.

The coaster, known for its fast start and pulsating Aerosmith soundtrack, is the second-fastest ride at Disney, with a top speed of 57 mph. According to the Disney Web site, "This attraction pulls between 4 and 5 big, fat, monster Gs. Space shuttle astronauts, by comparison, experience 3 Gs at liftoff.''

The indoor ride, which opened in 1999, catapults people from zero-to-its-top-speed in 2.8 seconds, then takes them through a make-believe night in Southern California in a 24-passenger stretch limo.

You have to wonder if the high g-loads are causing important things to break in a small handful of people. I'll be interested to see what the medical report has to say.

UPDATE: The 12-year-old boy who died after riding a Walt Disney World roller coaster had a congenital heart defect, a medical examiner determined Friday.

I kind of thought that might be the case. Still, very sad situation.