STORM2K

CNN just said a 12 year old boy died on the MGM roller coaster in Florida.


MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A 12-year-old boy died on a roller coaster at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Disney could not be reached for comment, and few details were available.

The boy was unresponsive in his seat at the end of the Rock 'N' Roller coaster ride, said Terry McElroy of the Florida Department of Agriculture, which regulates the industry.

The boy was given CPR and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities don't know at this time if he was riding by himself or with family members.

The incident occurred at 11:30 a.m. Disney reported the accident to Florida police at 1 p.m.

Disney shut down the ride and an inspector was on site to observe the Disney investigation. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation as well.

Disney boasts of the ride on its Web site, "Zoom from 0-60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack and zip through Tinseltown in the biggest, loudest limo you've ever seen."

One month ago, another child died on the Disney ride "Mission Space" at the Epcot Center.

Maybe he had an underlying heart condition that went undiagnosed. That is usually the reason behind alot of this horrible accidents. Sad story. I just hope they don't decide to close down all roller costers in the next few years because of this new trend in people dying on the rides. I think they are great fun, but not for people with heart conditions, or other medical conditions. That poor family, I feel sorry for them.

Yes, and maybe his parents were unaware of any condition too.

Obviously or they would not have let him on, I would think. But who knows. I will be curious to see what the find out and why he died on the ride. I hope they don't try to sue Disney like the last ones did. They have signs everywhere to warn people, its pretty much ride at your own risk.

That is very sad. I had a real fear of roller coasters, and I still today don't like those big drops or extreme accelerations in both direction and speed.

Probably an underlying heart condition much like the young football and basketball players who have died while playing or practicing.

Tstormwatcher wrote:Probably an underlying heart condition much like the young football and basketball players who have died while playing or practicing.

I'd bet on Marfan Syndrome. Things like roller coasters often trigger a fatal response in patients.

Could also be similar to shaken baby syndrome. My niece has a very bad reaction to rides that jerk the head severely.

They just did an autopsy on the boy. He did indeed have a heart condition.
http://www.wftv.com/news/9447963/detail.html

Oh those poor parents! I just can't imagine their heartbreak at having their vacation end this way!!

What a tragedy... something about the G-force must've triggered an underlying problem... it's so sad though for this to happen especially to one who was simply looking for a thrill ride... prayers for the parents... they'll need it.

A2K

My heart just breaks for this family. I honestly don't know how you recover from something like this.

Miss Mary wrote:My heart just breaks for this family. I honestly don't know how you recover from something like this.

Never happened to me, Thank God!, but it did to my aunt...horrible. And they never did recover... Uncle Eddie dropped dead one year later, his heart just couldn't take it any longer. What an awful thing to have to go through.

A2K

I tried putting myself in the parents shoes. I just can't imagine! One of my girls loves coasters, and I can't help but think about something like this could happen. I mean the parents never knew, could not see it coming. Blind sided! Prayers going out to this family tonight.