Boy Dies After Disney Roller Coaster Ride

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: Boy Dies After Disney Roller Coaster Ride
By Associated Press
Thu Jun 29, 2:21 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. - A boy died after riding a roller coaster Thursday at the Disney MGM theme park, the Orange County sheriff's office said.

The theme park said a preliminary investigation showed the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was operating normally.

The Orange County sheriff's office said the boy was 7, but Disney officials said he was 12. The discrepancy couldn't immediately be explained. He died after he was brought by ambulance to a hospital at about 11:30 a.m., a Disney statement said.

"We don't know if it is a trauma or medical call," sheriff's spokesman Jim Solomons said.

The sheriff's office is investigating. State park safety officials were also notified, Disney said, and park officials closed the ride.

A Disney Web site description of the ride says: "Zoom from 0-60 mph with the force of a supersonic F-14, take in high-speed loops and turns synchronized to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack."

Disney MGM is among the Walt Disney Co.'s four parks in Florida.

No specifics...I wonder what happened?

Nina J replied: That's so sad The poor little boy.

I wonder what happened. Maybe he had a heart condition?? I remember a young boy dying after he went on a ride, because he had a heart condition.

C&K*s Mommie replied: That is so sad.

redchief replied: That's very sad indeed. I'm sure we'll hear more in the coming days.

luvbug00 replied: I just can't bring Mya there anymore I'm too scared . This is rediculas!

jcc64 replied: I don't recall that coaster being particularly intense, other than the darkness. He must have had some sort of underlying pre-condition?

holley79 replied: That is so sad. Thoughts and Prayers with the family.

3xsthefun replied: That is so sad. That poor little boy.

TheOaf66 replied: well there is another reason why I don't like coasters, feel sorry for the kid and family

gr33n3y3z replied: very sad
thoughts and prayers for the boy and family

Halo42101 replied: Praying for the boy's family & friends.

Brias3 replied: I don't remember it being particularly intense either- despite initial speed in first couple of seconds, it's a very smooth coaster. Ryan rode it quite a few times on our trip in December, as he now meets the height requirement. Wonder if the boy had a pre-existing condition of some sort that was triggered? How sad

redchief replied: The parents said they were unaware of any condition the boy had, though autopsy results weren't in yet.

The boy's name is Michael Russell and he was 12. His family is Byron and Charlotte Russell, and brother Houston, 7. I always find it easier and more personal to pray for people when I know their names. How very sad.

lisar replied:
I totally agree. I have rode the ride many times and it didnt seem to be that bad to me. I feel so sorry for his parents though. He must have had another condition that no one knew about. That is so sad.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: That poor boy!

You know we're never going to know what really happened! Disney is going to keep it really hush hush! And that's sad, because what if another child dies on that ride!

booey2 replied: I get updates from CNN, here is the latest on that poor boy:

-- Preliminary autopsy results found no injuries, but indicated congenital heart abnormalities in a 12-year-old boy who died after a Disney ride in Florida, according to a statement from the medical examiner's office.

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Terri

luvbug00 replied: Terri I was about to put the same thing I saw it on yahoo. doesn't make me feel any safer for some reason....

booey2 replied: I know, I haven't been to Disney for about 23 years and it sure has changed a lot. Matthew was there last year with his grandma and was terrified from some roller coaster, I know it wasn't that one but they all scare me.

Terri

redchief replied: I fully expected to hear the poor boy had some sort of heart problem. That doesn't take away from the sadness over the loss of a young boy.

C&K*s Mommie replied:
p&pt's for his family.