http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/07/20/sonofbeast.html

Reported by: 9News

Web produced by: Matthew Daniels

Photographed by: 9News

First posted: 7/20/2006 6:07:50 PM

A structural engineer hired by the Ohio Department of Agriculture is now looking into what went wrong on Kings Island's Son of Beast roller coaster.

State inspectors say cracked and splintered wood may have caused the accident that hurt 31 people on the ride earlier in July.

The engineer will examine the entire structure, but its not known how long it will take.

The roller coaster remains closed.

The news was wrong on the number of people hurt on SOB. 27 were hurt. Not 31.

Why is this interesting? If there is any suspiscion of structural damage, there should be a structural engineer on staff to investigate what caused it to break. Business as usual...

Oh whose staff? I think you answered your own question.

Why must we keep nitpicking the reporters to death? I think the fact that it has been reported wrong by the press is an issue that we have beaten to death.

It's great that a structural engineer is now on board for the inspection. Maybe this will help speed the process up a little bit. I could be wrong, though.

Why must we keep nitpicking the reporters to death? I think the fact that it has been reported wrong by the press is an issue that we have beaten to death.

It's great that a structural engineer is now on board for the inspection. Maybe this will help speed the process up a little bit. I could be wrong, though.

I'm just waiting for folk to start talking about how "wrong" the structural engineers findings may be.

Yeah... what were they thinking hiring in a structural engineer to take extra steps in investigating and precaution.

What they need to do is bring in all of these "experts" on PKIC and let them diagnose it, and then SOB will be all better again.

I say tear the thing down too. Not because it sucks (because it DOESN'T) but because I am tired of hearing all of the people complain about it, whether its how many people got hurt, whether the train is "suspended," WHERE the accident actually happened, WHAT actually happened. I would almost bet that the people that would complain because its torn down would be minimal, because I cant find many people that like the thing.

Of course, once you tear it down, make sure PKI consults the experts here at PKIC as to what to build in its place, or we will have to hear about that too.

Kings Island cant win can they? No matter what they do, it has its critics. Last time I checked, you dont have to go to Kings Island. Go there and enjoy what you have, and forget about what you dont.

</soapbox>

You got me started there woofer. But it feels good to get it out.

Last time I checked, you dont have to read post on PKIC if you don't like it.

Last time I checked, you dont have to read post on PKIC if you don't like it.

And that would even include the post above (or below) yours!

Yeah... what were they thinking hiring in a structural engineer to take extra steps in investigating and precaution.

What they need to do is bring in all of these "experts" on PKIC and let them diagnose it, and then SOB will be all better again.

I say tear the thing down too. Not because it sucks (because it DOESN'T) but because I am tired of hearing all of the people complain about it, whether its how many people got hurt, whether the train is "suspended," WHERE the accident actually happened, WHAT actually happened. I would almost bet that the people that would complain because its torn down would be minimal, because I cant find many people that like the thing.

Of course, once you tear it down, make sure PKI consults the experts here at PKIC as to what to build in its place, or we will have to hear about that too.

Kings Island cant win can they? No matter what they do, it has its critics. Last time I checked, you dont have to go to Kings Island. Go there and enjoy what you have, and forget about what you dont.

</soapbox>

You got me started there woofer. But it feels good to get it out.

Sharing and Release are Cathartic! <G>

More, from:

http://www.nbc4i.com/news/9555006/detail.html

Consultant Examines Roller Coaster After Incident

27 Injured In Roller Coaster Mishap

POSTED: 11:28 am EDT July 21, 2006

UPDATED: 11:44 am EDT July 21, 2006

CINCINNATI -- Ohio's Department of Agriculture has hired an independent consultant to investigate what went wrong on a roller coaster that injured dozens of riders.

A Columbus ride inspector examined the Son of Beast roller coaster at Kings Island on Thursday. The worker looked at every inch of lumber supporting the ride, NBC 4's Mike Bowersock reported.

Ohio Department of Agriculture officials said they have already found problems, but they are looking for more details and more solutions.

"There was splintering in one particular spot, so we know it was something related to the structural integrity of the ride," said Dennis Spiegel of the Amusement Industry Consultant.

Officials said the splintering occurred in one supporting pole, but there could be more problems that caused the ride to injure 27 people on July 9.

Phil Thompson said he was injured on the ride a week before the incident.

"You expect this thing to be wild because I've ridden it 10 or 12 times before … but this time it was violently wild," he said.

Thrill seekers at the park on Thursday said they were in no hurry to get back on the ride.

Officials said they do not yet have an estimate on when the ride will reopen.

"It will be safe it will be probably a smoother ride," Spiegel said.

SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene

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Well, one problem with the above article, is that Dennis Spiegel, to my knowledge anyway is not affilitated with this so called Amusement Industry Consultant. He does however own and run International Theme Park Services in Cincinnati, which is a consultant firm. He is often quoted in articles in reference to amusement parks throughout the country, not just at Kings Island.