A 16-year-old British girl is in a critical condition after suffering a heart attack yesterday (12 July) after riding the Tower of Terror at Disney’s MGM Studios in Florida, US.

Leanne Deacon from Leicestershire lost consciousness shortly after leaving the ride and was treated by medics before being transferred to Celebration Hospital, where she became unresponsive and had to be resuscitated.

Described by Disney as a ‘big thrill’ experience, the Tower of Terror is set in a haunted house, where thrill riders are catapulted up 13 floors in a ‘phantom elevator’ before plunging back to the ground.

Walt Disney World engineers and ride system experts subsequently completed an overnight inspection of the ride and found it to be operating properly.

An inspector from the Florida Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fair Rides and Exhibitions monitored the ride inspection and testing.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office also reviewed the incident and found no indication of a ride malfunction. The ride was reopened today (13 July).

A spokesperson for Disney said: “On 12 July, a 16-year-old guest complained of nausea and dizziness after exiting the ride and was subsequently transported to Celebration Hospital for further care.

“We remain deeply concerned about her welfare and are providing assistance to her family during this difficult time.”

The latest incident comes barely a month after four-year-old Daudi Bamuwamye, from Pennsylvania, US, collapsed on the four-minute Epcot Mission: Space ride at Walt Disney World Florida on and later died.

His mother said he had no history of medical problems and a preliminary autopsy report found no sign of trauma. At 3 feet 10 inches tall, he was 2 inches taller than the ride’s 44-inch minimum height warning signs.

Tests to establish the boy’s cause of death are ongoing, although they could take a further eight weeks to complete.