Following the death of a resort mechanic who died while working on the attraction in March, Walt Disney World, Florida is keeping the roller coaster ride closed through the summer as federal investigators continue a safety review.
According to a number of media outlets, including The Associated Press and The Miami Herald, Disney recently extended the closure of Primeval Whirl, a spinning coaster in Disney’s Animal Kingdom that has been closed since January for maintenance, until at least September 14, 2011. The reopening of the ride, initially slated for April, already was postponed once, until early June 2011. (WCxKit)
The attraction, opened in April 2002, is a pair of wild mouse-style roller coasters operating side by side featuring spinning, four-person ride vehicles falling through a series of tight, flat turns.
The new date coincides with a six-month deadline facing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to finalize its investigation into the passing of Russell Roscoe, a 52-year-old attractions mechanic hit by one of the attraction’s ride vehicles on March 13th. Roscoe suffered a massive head injury and died the following day.
Disney reported on June 7th some of the planned maintenance for Primeval Whirl was moved back to accommodate the accident investigation. The resort stated the new reopening date is not related to OSHA’s timeline. Resort officials would not comment on what changes they are making to the 9-year-old ride, or whether they are completing any safety adjustments.
Note: If one searches through legal data bases, there are many injuries on amusement park and water park rides. My first product liability case, in fact, was an amusement ride — a water park ride in New Hampshire — where coincidentally a high school friend was vacationing in New Hampshire with his family when he went down the waterslide head first — a position which was allowed on the slide despite the fact there had been several previous injuries which all occurred when users rode the waterslide in a head first position. In these injuries, there may be lawsuits as well as claims that are discoverable.
Author Rebecca Shafer, J.D., President, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 25 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs and implement litigation management systems. Her clients have included: airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com
Our WC Manual: http://corner.advisen.com/partners_wctoolkit_book.html
WORK COMP CALCULATOR: http://www.LowerWC.com/calculator.php
SUBSCRIBE: Workers Comp Resource Center Newsletter
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
