You hate to hear about things like this.

See link here

How horrible. I feel so sorry for that poor child's family. What a terrible loss this must be.

Here is a video of the ride in question, The Python Pit.

I hate to hear stories like this when they happen. this is why KI has height requirements posted and yet Ironically parents will still cuss out the ride ops if they dont let their kids ride. When I worked on AE I couldnt even count how many times I would be cussed out in only a 30 minute span because I wouldnt let a kid ride due to their height. not saying the kid this happened to was too short as quoted here

but it is believed the boy met all the requirements for the ride, Jobe said

but this is why KI enforces their height requirements. It is for everyone's safety after all and yet guests get mad when their kids are not tall enough to ride. I couldnt even imagine the loss this family is dealing with right now.

Truly a sad event.

I have no children, so I'm looking for the opinion of a parent. Isn't 3 years old too young to be on any kind of a mechanical ride, much less a roller coaster without an adult right by them? All these rides just seem too extreme for anyone that young. What's an age that kids are old enough, regardless of their size to grasp how important it is to stay in the ride?

Age limit? Some are not mature to figure out they need to stay on the ride at age 46. Seriously.

It all depends on the child. Parents should judge this. To some extent, parks use size as a proxy for age, the latter of which is nearly impossible to accurately assess in parks.

Age limit? Some are not mature to figure out they need to stay on the ride at age 46. Seriously.

It all depends on the child. Parents should judge this. To some extent, parks use size as a proxy for age, the latter of which is nearly impossible to accurately assess in parks.

Great point.

You raise an interesting question regarding liability. If the ride or restraint didn't malfunction, and it's the parents decision to let the child ride, where does the operator's, park's, manufacturer's liability end?

...where the court (or the settlement) says it does.

Park, but not coaster, reopens:

http://www.suntimes....ed-reopens.html

Suit Filed....

http://www.chicagotr...0,6008810.story

What sad story, I mean just watching the video, the coaster looked a little dangerous.

The family’s attorney said the case is focused on the fact that the ride did not immediately stop when the boy was at risk.

“The parents ... who were there, saw that little Jayson was standing up in the ride and began screaming to the operator to stop the ride,” he said.

The operator, Salvi said, tried to apply the ride's emergency brake. But the Python Pit, which travels at speeds up to 15 mph, did not immediately stop.

"By her (the operator's) own statement to police, it would not stop," he said.

While the investigation did not determine whether failure of the ride to stop immediately was the result of its design, a mechanical error or human error, Salvi said the amusement park was negligent.

While this is tragic, I find this logic flawed. It is a roller coaster, by their nature, they don't stop just any where at any time. Also, even if they did, stopping a ride that is going 15 mph immediately would also be dangerous to all those riding.

Of course facts and logic are often the last things that attorneys care about. If they can convince a judge or jury that what they are spewing is the truth, that is all that matters.

Not ALL attorneys. Remember, other attorneys, who defend the industry, will defend this suit....

That's the same model as the coaster that used to operate within ForestFair Mall/Cincinnati Mills/Cincinnati Mall at their indoor "Wonderpark." Not the exact same one, but same model.

Tragic accident for all parties involved.

And a woman who saw the incident also sues:

...A woman says she became so distraught while attempting to help a boy who fell from a roller coaster and died earlier this month that she suffered emotional distress and anxiety — and is now suing the Norridge amusement park where the accident happened....

Seeking more than $50,000.

http://www.suntimes....er-coaster.html

Just a sad event overall.

Ahh, I feel sorry for the family and hope that they get through it.