A 12-year-old boy died after riding the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, US, yesterday (29 June).
It was reported in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper that Michael Russell, from Kentucky, lost consciousness on the ride – an indoor rollercoaster which reaches a top speed of 57mph – and despite efforts to revive him, was later pronounced dead at Celebration Hospital.
The cause of death is presently unknown and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy.
Disney subsequently closed the rollercoaster, which carries warnings to people with pre-existing medical conditions, but found no evidence that the ride was at fault.
Seven people have now died at Walt Disney World attractions in the past year and a half – compared to just two in the previous 18 months.
However, none of the deaths were related to accidents at the parks and some were found to be related to pre-existing medical problems.
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which was installed at Disney-MGM Studios in 1999, features high speed loops and turns synchronised to a specially recorded Aerosmith soundtrack.
