Fights spur evacuation at Six Flags over Texas
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:39 am
Fights spur evacuation at Six Flags
01:37 AM CST on Monday, November 1, 2004
Associated Press
ARLINGTON – Six Flags Over Texas had to be evacuated late Saturday after a series of fights broke out at the amusement park during Fright Fest 2004.
"A fight broke out between some individuals that just kept mushrooming," Arlington police Lt. Blake Miller said Sunday. He said that before it was over about 200 people were involved in either verbal arguments or fistfights.
There were no reports of injuries. Miller said that he had not been informed of any arrests as of 2 a.m. Sunday.
Fright Fest is held on Fridays through Sundays in October at the amusement park owned by Oklahoma City-based Six Flags.
Police said that just before closing Saturday, more than 50 officers and security guards were called to the park because of the fighting.
It was unclear how the fights began.
Miller said the biggest problem became a traffic issue as parents tried to get into the park to pick up children and other people were leaving. Grand Prairie police assisted Arlington authorities.
"It came down to more of a traffic issue than anything else after it was calmed down," Miller said.
Jon Dietrich, 16, was among those at the park. He said he saw two girls arguing in line over a ride. The argument later escalated into a larger fight.
"I heard a loud noise that sounded like glass breaking, then everybody ran," Dietrich said.
01:37 AM CST on Monday, November 1, 2004
Associated Press
ARLINGTON – Six Flags Over Texas had to be evacuated late Saturday after a series of fights broke out at the amusement park during Fright Fest 2004.
"A fight broke out between some individuals that just kept mushrooming," Arlington police Lt. Blake Miller said Sunday. He said that before it was over about 200 people were involved in either verbal arguments or fistfights.
There were no reports of injuries. Miller said that he had not been informed of any arrests as of 2 a.m. Sunday.
Fright Fest is held on Fridays through Sundays in October at the amusement park owned by Oklahoma City-based Six Flags.
Police said that just before closing Saturday, more than 50 officers and security guards were called to the park because of the fighting.
It was unclear how the fights began.
Miller said the biggest problem became a traffic issue as parents tried to get into the park to pick up children and other people were leaving. Grand Prairie police assisted Arlington authorities.
"It came down to more of a traffic issue than anything else after it was calmed down," Miller said.
Jon Dietrich, 16, was among those at the park. He said he saw two girls arguing in line over a ride. The argument later escalated into a larger fight.
"I heard a loud noise that sounded like glass breaking, then everybody ran," Dietrich said.
