Seatbelts on water rides have always been the topic of some controversy. Here's one reason why:

...The father, Tim Frost, stated that “It flipped over with us in it. We were in our seatbelts upside down,” Frost recalled. “We kept fighting and squirming until we could get our seatbelts off and get out.”...

http://www.thrillnetwork.com/news/3062/fou...e-accident.html

what sort of ride was it? are we talking whitewater canyon ride here? BTW how deep is the water in WWC?

We are. And the depth varies from installation to installation. In many places, the water is only a couple of feet deep, if that. Great Adventure's, for instance, is fairly typical:

http://www.amusementpics.com/Roaring%20Rapids.htm

wow great info again terpy... but with out seat belts we would hear more people being tossed out of the ride...... but scary thought just thinking about the boat ride capsizing..... and i know im one of those people who try to get the boat to dip hitting the waves.....

How about design new seatbelts that would be more easy to get out of when a emergency like this happens again?

How about design new seatbelts that would be more easy to get out of when a emergency like this happens again?

Is there any good reason for seat belts on this type of ride anyway?

Well...if the device is there and the state has a rider responsibility law, like Ohio does, undoing it (to stand up, for instance) is a violation of law and an indicator of negligence on the part of the rider....

I have seen some water rides have seat belts that attach with Velcro brand fasteners...

How about design new seatbelts that would be more easy to get out of when a emergency like this happens again?

Is there any good reason for seat belts on this type of ride anyway?

Actually if your have ridden WWC you would know that during the ride , the "raft" will experience a rocking motion. Such a little kid could actually chucked from the ride. Also you would be falling all over "raft" if there was no seat belts.

But White Water Canyon has not always had seat belts...

But White Water Canyon has not always had seat belts...

truly aware of that, when I was a little kid I actually remember getting swooshed around on the ride. I would always end in the other seat other then my own.

Me, my girlfriend, and her mother rode this ride. (the one at KI) It hit one of the walls and her mom went flying into the next seat. It hit so hard that it hurt. I am convinced that we would have all fell out if there were no seatbelts.

Well...if the device is there and the state has a rider responsibility law, like Ohio does, undoing it (to stand up, for instance) is a violation of law and an indicator of negligence on the part of the rider....

I have seen some water rides have seat belts that attach with Velcro brand fasteners...

If the ride instructions indicated you must remain seated at all times, I believe it would be a violation of the law to stand even without the seatbelt.

I like the Velcro option although it would be a bigger maintenance headache.

Sure, but one must undo the seatbelt before attempting to stand or change seats...not at all unlike those little orange belts that were attached to the restraints on King Cobra after the Virginia incident--they had no other real purpose, though some thought they were meant to keep guests of "exceptional size" from riding.

WWC does have Velcro seat belts and the water depth ranges from 36" to 60" and in the case of a raft jam the water is released once an e-stopped is pressed. There could be so many factors in place like proper raft inflation that could have caused it to over turn during the collision.

WWC hasn't had the Velcro style seat belts for quite a few years. It has a standered belt now, however the part of the belt that the buckle is attached to is stretchy.

Since the family declined to sign the waiver, can they sue if they choose and conditions allowing a suit are met?

Anyone can sue anybody for anything. Whether they signed a waiver or not. Whether they signed an arbitration clause or not. Whether they can find an attorney to take their case or not. And whether they think they can prevail or not. They don't necessarily even need to have enough money to pay the filing fee with the Court.

Whether they can or should or win is a whole 'nother story.

Defending "frivolous" lawsuits is an imposition and a cost to society and to the defendants. But, what is frivolous? And what isn't? That's the rub.

well would they have a case, I mean a water ride flipped over, it would be similar if a coaster flew off the tracks....... I dont think in a situation like this it would be a frivolous law suit, you had a few lives put into danger. Yes no one got hurt but it could have been much different very easily. I hope they dont sue, but I hope they and the park can come to a very reasonable understanding about this. To be truthful if I was riding WWC and the boat flipped over on me.... I would be very upset and very nervous about ever riding that ride again. I think this falls under the category of you dont expect any real danger to happen.... just my two cents worth