12-year-old Dead after Riding Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

A young boy died en route to the hospital after he was found unresponsive on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios in Florida earlier today. Disney, according to a statement it released, shut the ride down pending an investigation, but an initial review indicated that the coaster was operating normally. The park notified the local police as well as the state's Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection. Disney and Orange County Sheriff's officials have a news conference scheduled for later today.

The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, one of the most intense rides at Walt Disney World, is a launched coaster that uses magnetic propulsion to catapult riders from 0 to nearly 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The indoor ride, which is mostly in the dark, features the music of Aerosmith. It reaches a height of 80 feet, includes 3 inversions, delivers up to 5 Gs, and has a height requirement of 48 inches. There is a similar Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at the Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris.

Vekoma, a company based in the Netherlands, manufactured the coaster. Vekoma (as well as other ride manufacturers) has built launched coasters for many parks around the world.

In April, a 49-year-old woman who was determined to have had a stroke due to high blood pressure, died after riding Mission: SPACE at Walt Disney World's Epcot. In June of 2005, a four-year-old boy with a rare, undetected heart condition also died after riding Mission: SPACE.
Roller Coaster and Ride Safety