Roller Coaster Riders Left Hanging

Power Outage Strands 12 Upside Down On The X-Coaster At Magic Springs

(AP)  A dozen riders on an Arkansas roller coaster spent half an hour hanging upside down — 150 feet above the ground — after a power outage shut down the attraction.

It took about 30 minutes for the city Fire Department to rescue the riders using a ladder truck Saturday evening, said Aundrea Crary, spokeswoman for the Springs & Crystal Falls amusement park.

Spectators cheered when the riders were brought to the ground from the highest point of a loop on the X-Coaster, but one passenger threw up after reaching safety.

The X-Coaster was one of several rides brought to a halt by the outage that originated somewhere near the park.

"You could tell who got off the (X-Coaster) because their faces were red," said Angela Salter. She was riding the Gauntlet, another coaster, and said park employees worked quickly to free her.

The park resumed normal operations, although the X-Coaster remained closed.

One X-Coaster passenger, Jay Plummer, 37, was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Medical Center in Hot Springs after complaining of neck pain and a headache.

"It was very scary," said his girlfriend, Connie McBride. "I love the amusement park, but I will never get on the X-Coaster again."

The park has experienced outages before, but usually they last only seconds, said Dan Aylward, Magic Springs president and general manager.

Entergy Corp. was investigating but crews found no faulty wiring.

"The cause could be a (tree) limb or as simple as an animal (on the lines)," said Mark Hunt, general manager of customer service for Entergy. "We could find no faults, but we are going to continue to investigate until we find the cause."

[elgraz]

Where is magic springs ? The Land of Oz ?

[canaima]

Because of the possibility of this highly-dangerous, life-threatening situation with roller coasters everywhere, I think all roller coasters should be provided with zero-altitude, sideways-ejecting ejection seats.

[invirginia]

You would think that with all the technology we have, they would 1) have emergency power backup for rides like this, or 2) have a manual release procedure to get the cars back down closer to the ground or at least not upside down.

[pluralist]

Agreed, 30 min is a long time to be hanging upside down. They should have had some sort of procedure outside of having to rely on the fire department.

[hypnotoad72]

invirginia - what you suggests cost money. That would hamper profits.

However, because of the lack of... contingency preparation, I hope they engage in a class action lawsuit and win. With profit comes responsibility.

[tennis4me4]

I agree that they should have a better plan for when this happens. I would sooooo file a lawsuit!!! I would be sick after being upside down for 10 minutes, let alon 30!!!!

[downtowner97]

There's power in Arkansas? Wow. They've come a long way.

[kiibryant]

Magic Springs is in Hot Springs Arkansas. I used to work there and know for a fact it's a slipshod operation. They cut corners like you wouldn't believe and when anyone with an ounce of integrity complains they get fired. Two years ago a maintenance worker lost his legs trying to fix a ride that was stuck like this one. The supervisor responsible for maintenance of the rides was fired right before that because he refused to put rides into operation that weren't safe. Someone should check the employment records and they would realize the maintenance supervisor never lasts a whole season with out being fired.

[toenailbob]

A lawsuit? For what? Power outages happen without warning. From what the story reports, everyone who was trapped survived, and nobody on the coaster was seriously injured. This tells me that the safety harnesses, etc. worked exactly as intended.

Please explain how the amusement park was negligent in this instance. Unless we outlaw all roller coasters with loops, there is no way to absolutely guarantee that this type of situation will never happen, no matter how many precautions are taken.

[williamsq-2009]

Clearly a design problem with the ride - probably with a brake. The brake(s) should be equipped with a battery backup so the train can continue it's run normally when this situation occurs.

[novellite2]

If power outages are possible, especially in situations where safety is 30 minnutes away, perhaps a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) is needed for this ride. Have it interlocked with the incoming power, which would not let new rides begin, but have enough power to allow rides already in operation complete be first on the list of things to get.

Here is where the lawsuit would come in: A rider expects to have the ride complete in 1-3 minutes, and expects to have multiple G-forces exerted on their body. To have a ride last 30 minutes in an upside down position (when there are neasures that can be easily implemented to avoid this) is beyond what the rider expects. Here are the dangers: What if someone threw up upside down and choked on their vomit? Me, having a weak stomach, have thrown up on such rides (the zipper and Spaceship Mars to name two) knows that the motion of the ride made it not a pretty situation for the other riders, but I was in no danger of choking, due to the motion.

Anyway, there are engineering controls that can be implemented, and for everyone's sake, they should be implemented.

[hnnybnny4406]

Anyone that thinks suing the amusement park is the right thing to do is a money hungry jack a$$. Come on people, power outages occur all over the World, no one was hurt and there is no evidence of negligence..that is the only way one could sue. The people were kept in their seats by the safety harnesses, yes it was uncomfortable but not a tragedy. Stop giving more money to the ambulance chaser attornies and chock it up to a great story to tell the grandkids.

[arkansas2266]

i'm from that area and there was a reason the local people referred to it as "Tragic Springs"! No sprises there. It was shut down for several years.

[novellite2]

I should have been more clear. If the park made an effort to remedy the situation of specifically, "what happens when power is lost to the park" and answered that as "We are implementing a UPS system to make it so the ride can continue to completion, and it will be installed at the end of the season. All riders must know that if there is a power outage, they have the possibility of being upside down for up to 90 minutes. Ride at your own risk."

The addition of administrative controls (letting people know what may happen when power is lost) and engineering controls that help eliminate or mitigate the issues (such as stopping the ride when there is no power, so the riders are not in an uncontrolled situation) that occur with may come up.

So, for the riders suing for ten trillion dollars... give me a break. For the park to step up and make sure that they do what is possible and reasonable to make sure this doesn't happen again, that is reasonable for all concerned.

If the park were to do nothing, and just say, "we're not doing anything...so sad, too bad.", I say, let the dogs loose.

I hope this clarifies my opinion on this.

[ladywolf1955]

I live here in Hot Springs and was approaching Magic Springs when it happened. I can tell you, The electric company there might as well be in Nicaragua. They're that archaic. For that matter, Nicaragua might have more reliable electricity than Hot Springs. We get major outages all the time here, for hours, even on the coldest days in winter. A simple thunderstorm causes brownouts, as well as any heavy use of electricity. We get not only brownouts, but constant surges, at least once or twice within a two-week period.

The owners of the park MUST know this electric company is very shoddy. They should have backup generators for such an occurence, or as another poster said, a UPS system attached to all rides which turn people upside-down.

[katia327]

Does anyone know exactly how the riders are strapped into this ride?

I hope everyone is ok after going through this. I can't even imagine, being rescued that far up, after hanging there all that time. I'd throw up, too.

[michaelm07]

Anyone who would sue is a loser looking for a free ride and to a win life's lottery at someone elses expense. Yes, it is an amusement park but the coasters are a 'thrill ride' not to be confused with a merry-go-round, an amusement ride. So, it was a power outage, they certainly got a thrill, they'll get 15 minutes of fame and the park will probably give them something to pander so they won't get sued. Life's short, move on. But perhaps someone will sue because they have bad dreams or something similarly 'horrible' as a result.

[michaelm07]

Anyone who would sue is a loser leech looking for a free ride and winning life's lottery at soemone elses expense. Yes, it is an amusement park but the coasters are a 'thrill ride' not to be confused with a merry-go-round, an amusement ride. It was a power outage, they certainly got a thrill, they'll get 15 minutes of fame and the park will probably give them something to pander so they won't get sued. Life's short, move on. But perhaps someone will sue because they have bad dreams or something similarly 'horrible' as a result and be damaged f-o-r-e-v-e-r, oh the humanity!

[rozen2004]

Rule 1: Do not ride roller coasters
Rule 2: Do not trust amusement park staff
Rule 3: Do not go to amusement parks with roller coasters with staff one can not trust

[david_271-2009]

tennis4me4 ... you're an idiot...

you're just one of those people out for a quick buck... i am going to sue for this and that... my life sucks so much and i am a money grubbing *** that i have to sue others to make my life better cause i was to dumb to do it on my own...

you're such a scab...

[apdepetris]

Wow, that had to suck!

I don't see where anyone has a case to sue. The ride itself didn't malfunction in any way. The park certainly can't control a power outage and it seems they did what they could to get the riders down as soon as possible. You certainly can't rush a rescue like that because the last thing you would want would be for someone to fall.

As far as backup power goes, don't hold your breath. This sounds like a small park (this isn't Disney we're talking about) and I doubt this kind of thing would happen often enough for them to justify spending the money required for something like that.

[jusdane]

Too bad companies (and/or individuals) can't countersue, suing the money-grubbing opportunistic leaches for frivolous lawsuits like this!

[cocoteach]

England's education system must lag that of American children if the grammar and spelling of the last poster is any indication. Aside from that, I've seen my share of tubby Brits, too.

[last121868]

jerryomara: The following is also on CBS News, so keep your moronic views on the other side of the lake!!

It may be obvious that most Britons are overweight. What isn't so obvious is that at least 2 million of them are likely malnourished _ and that includes some of the people who are too fat.

Experts say the poor state of the average British diet _ often high in fat, salt and calories, but low on nutrition _ means malnutrition is a problem even though food is plentiful.

"You can't always tell if a person is malnourished with your eyes," said Dr. Marinos Elia, a professor of clinical nutrition and metabolism at Southampton University. "People may be eating too much food, but they may not be eating enough fruits and vegetables."

[mitch0927]

No one here cares about England and what you have to say. This is an American news site, and most people aren't too critical towards other%u2019s writings.

[beanerman4]

'Entergy Corp. was investigating but crews found no faulty wiring.

"The cause could be a (tree) limb or as simple as an animal (on the lines)," said Mark Hunt, general manager of customer service for Entergy.'

Never heard of Entergy Corp. Must be a cheap, fly by nighter syphoning off a real energy company, and the amusement park capitalizing on a no name to save a buck. Correct me if I am wrong.

Something as simple as an animal? Like a squirrel or bird? Whoah! That happens all the time!

Would not go near that "amusement" park again.

[the_martian]

beanerman4: You are wrong - Entergy is no fly-by-nighter, as you put it.

Entergy Quick Facts:
Entergy employs approximately 14,500 people.
Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity.
Entergy is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States.
Entergy delivers electricity to approximately 2.6 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Entergy supplies natural gas to approximately 157,000 customers in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Entergy operates a system composed of more than 15,500 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and 1,550 transmission substations.
Entergy is a Fortune 500 company with revenues of more than $10 billion in 2006.
Entergy and its charitable foundation awarded more than $9 million in grants in 2006.

[david_271-2009]

to think some of you think the guy is actually British... so simple minded... you probably could even find find England on a map... Hell 70 percent of Americans can't even find their own home on a map.... WAY TO MAKE THE COUNTRY PROUD.... THANKS FOR MAKING THE REST OF US LOOK BAD!

[clydecorleon]

read this story and I though...gosh, what a terrible thing to have happen to someone. Then I start reading comments. Everyone whoh is "anti-lawsuit" must think of it in these terms...Do you honestly feel that if one of your children/siblings was stuck upside down on this rollercoaster for over a half hour and DIED because of some dormant health issue...you would not sue? I bet my bottom dollar that you would be the first one running to a lawyer and "demanding justice" for the life lost. As with everything in life..."ALL OR NONE" I will not believe anyone who says "if it was MY child or MY spouse or MY sibling I would not sue" Sorry, but I am calling BULL-$#^! on that one!

Have the company purchase a UPS for each major ride in case of power failure, the UPS will provide sufficient power to complete the loop. It is an inexpensive solution.

Contact:www.powerware.com

[mitch0927]

Inkstick30,

Good try, but you need one more variable before coming up with that solution. The UPS's you are referring to could never handle that kind of current. Now, but getting a FERRUPS System and having 10 12Volt Batteries in series, you would have sufficient current to finish up the ride.

[r0welchjr]

All this talk of suing... I am not sure about Arkansas law, but generally, you assume the risk at an amusement park. I would say that without the negligence of park employees you wouldn't have a chance in heck to win.

[tscm98]

Hey Beaner, I was thinking the same thing. All of these people discussing law suits etc. and I'm thinking "could be as 'simple' as a tree limb or an animal"? Are you kidding me??? I wouldn't want that guy talking to the press if I were his employer or the amusement park!And I sure as you-know-what would not be going to that amusement park, or any other place that was supplied by that energy company that could hang me upside down for 1/2 hour or in any other way prevent me from leaving when I chose!

[natasha041]

If you've never heard of Entergy Corp. You don't live in the south. Pure and simple.

[truearkansan]

I have lived in Arkansas all my life. I am now 30 and I grew up going to this theme park. They have since changed ownership and spent a lot of money to make this park great. I have taken my own children to this theme park many... times. My oldest child loves the roller coasters. But as a parent when you let your child on those rides, yes, you are taking a risk. Yes, I would be devastated if something happened, but if it was something like a power outage , which is out of the hands of park officials, I would not sue. You as a park patron have to accept the choice you are making when you enter those gates. I will say that we will wait to hear officially, if the mishap was on the part of Entergy or Magic Springs before we head down to Hot Springs. I would bet anything it's Entergy. Most people in Arkansas can only hope to do away with Entergy in our state. Magic Springs will continue to thrive this summer and for many to come.

[beanerman4]

Thanks for correcting me on the size of Entergy. You guessed it, I am not from the south!

Cedar Point, OH is my place, go every year. My wife and then ten year old got stuck on the Raptor (not upside down) but high up on a platform for about twenty minutes.

We were told an auto brake went on because the timing was off between the trains.

It was an eerie feeling, watching from below with my youngest not tall enough to ride. I could tell by my wife's scream that it was their train that went past us, however did not return.

When restarted, and back at the station, the operator said for their inconvenience, they all could ride again, if they wanted to, without standing in line. No one got off.

[toolmangler-2009]

If you've never heard of Entergy Corp. You don't live in the south. Pure and simple.
Posted by Natasha041 at 02:36 PM : Jun 11, 2007


Sorry sweety, I have lived in central NC for most of my 67+ years and I never heard of Entergy corp either. And I was allowed out at least twice a year. (grin)

[gimmeapaw1]

I am just waiting for someone to somehow link this back to it really being Bush's fault.

[novellite2]

OK, I did some research (doh!) and here is what I found:
This ride was built last year. (2006)
It looks like, from the description of the ride, they were just about to embark on a 65 MPH vertical drop (they were going towards the right on the picture), so there must be a lot of energy pushing that car to the top (lefting things = hard, letting them fall = easy).
Since the ride is brand new, the talk of "poor maintenance" and such.
My favorite line in this whole description (see below) and the situation of yesterday: "makes it possible to experience inverted ride elements without shoulder restraints"

Here's the link: http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/yellowpages/coasters/x-coaster_magicsp.shtml

[novellite2]

Oh, and George Bush never signed legislation banning these rides, so it is indeed his fault.

(Is someone going to ask who John Galt is now?)

;)

[tscm98]

"The cause could be a (tree) limb or as simple as an animal (on the lines),"

Maybe a bush was on the lines!? Or the animal was hiding behind a bush??

[lwsnscott16]

My milk was sour this morning...

Must have been George's fault also?

[jenny1011]

Oops! i'll never get on a roller coaster again.



Jenny
http://www.spaml.com

[beanerman4]

Since you brought it up, yes it is Bush's fault. As the Decider, he could have banned roller coasters, even if against the will of the people.

[summersmama]

The part on the roller coaster ride about it taking the fire dept. 30 min. to rescue them is a bunch of crock! We took our youth at our church in ms. there for the day and we watched the whole thing... my husband is a firefighter and even he knew the ladders would not reach.... rope rescue only might work.... they had to wait until the power came back on and then they were realeased and finished the ride! It was a scary thing... we as spectators were scared, but as we stopped and joined hands and prayed, we knew God was going to take care of them.... and he did! If you're gonna tell the whole world about something, make sure you tell it right... or don't tell it at all!!!!

[summersmama]

are all of ya'll crazy... it happened and it was for a reason! God took care of those people.... and why would it be Bush's fault? rollercoasters have been around for years.... I myself don't ride them, but everyone around me does and it's just the same as any other ride.... it's just maybe some of ya'll can't handle it! Yes this ride has had this problem in the past yr... 3 times to be exact.... now it's the theme park owners who need to say it's time for it to go.... and move onto the next one.... this ride was so popular, that the youth group that we took there on saturday, had to stand in line for a while, and still didn't get to ride because they got tired and hungry!

[jetranger7]

YOU SEE, I WOULD OF OFFERED THEM ALL MILK SHAKES WHILE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN, NOW THAT WOULD'VE BEEN ANOTHER FEAT IN ITSELF, AND OFFERED THEM SOME FOOD WHILE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TOO,,,HAAA CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT !!! EATING UPSIDE DOWN !!!

[tiffercita]

I was born and raised in Hot Springs. I used to go to the park when I was a child. The park did close down for several years, but it was bought out, COMPLETELY re-done, and re-opened. In all the years I have lived there I have NEVER heard of any kind of major incedent. The power went out plain and simple. It happens all the time no matter where you live. If the power went out in your house and a visitor fell down your stairs would it be right for them to sue? No one was injured because the park did their job and had the proper saftey devices installed. It was in no way their fault. God did not call the park owner that morning and say "Hey, I am going to shut your power off for a little while this afternoon, make sure there is no one on the rides". I now live out of the state but will be visiting in the next month with my roomate who has never been to Hot Springs and guess what is still going to be on our agenda for our trip. Yep, that's right, Magic Springs.

[tiffercita]

Oh, guess what I just saw. A 10 year old girl died after getting off of a ride at Six Flags. I bet you have all heard of that place. She had a history of heart problems. Should the family be able to sue?!