Cal/OSHA Finds Great America At Fault For Roller Coaster Accident, Slaps With $70K Fine

SANTA CLARA (CBS/AP) -- A state agency says the owner and operator of California's Great America theme park is at fault after a mechanic was seriously injured in a June roller coaster accident.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health says Cedar Fair Southwest did not have the proper safety protocols to make sure a ride was shut down when then 66-year-old Robert Hooks went to retrieve a cell phone that fell beneath it.

The agency also says employees weren't properly trained in how to safely pick up lost items.

Cal/OSHA is fining Cedar Fair $70,200 for eight workplace safety violations. Five were considered serious and two were directly related to Hooks' accident.

Cedar Fair Southwest representatives were not immediately available for comment.

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