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Gum Not The Reason Girl Died on Six Flags Coaster

Six Flags Great America: A coroner's report finds that the young girl who died on Raging Bull last summer had an enlarged heart. Contrary to initial reports, chewing gum played no role in her death.

From Jason Herrera
Posted December 5, 2003 at 11:31 PM
Gum Not Cause of Girl's Death at Six Flags Great America

Lake County (Indiana) Deputy Coroner Tammy Williams found that the victim, Erica Emmons, 11, of Gary, Indiana, had an enlarged heart.

Interesting twist I must say! There was a topic on this very subject where some complete heartless poster had no sympathy for the deceased girl--maybe that person will show some now!

I do feel very very very bad for this poor little girl. God bless her.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Robert OGrosky
Posted December 6, 2003 at 9:52 AM
Now will SFGAM take down all the signs about not chewing gum on roller coasters?????

From Robert Niles
Posted December 6, 2003 at 11:17 AM
I think it is still a good idea to ask people not to chew gum on any high-speed or turbulent ride. Why take the risk?

Even if the gum just falls out, it is a sticky mess. From a custodial standpoint, many parks wish that all gum would just disappear, and that no one would chew it ever.

From Derek Potter
Posted December 6, 2003 at 1:32 PM
Glad to see that this matter was cleared up. Even though gum wasn't the cause, it still should be discouraged, at the least on intense rides. The gum thing always rang a little strange to me, and it probably did to the girl's family as well. Maybe the truth will bring a bit of closure to the family. My heart goes out to them.

From Robert OGrosky
Posted December 6, 2003 at 10:26 PM
I ALWAYS chew gum when im at theme parks and NEVER have had any problem on any ride and ALWAYS make sure to dispose of it in the proper container.
Just another example of how in todays current climate that if something negative may have happened major over-reaction sets in with seting far over-reaching policies to combat what has turned out to be a non-existent problem.

From Andrew Swanson
Posted December 6, 2003 at 10:31 PM
Yes, all of SFGAm's signs at the entrance to the rides had a new line added to the bottom saying gum or candy may not be eaten while riding. This happened during this past season after this incident occured.

From Jason Lester
Posted December 7, 2003 at 9:28 AM
I eat gum on coasters all the time and have never choked. I do feel very bad for the girls family and wish them the best.

From Cody Cromarty
Posted August 22, 2004 at 6:04 PM
Just because you never had trouble with chewing gum on rides doesn't mean you should keep doing it. Accidents ALWAYS happen. ALWAYS.

From Robert OGrosky
Posted August 22, 2004 at 6:45 PM
Well i have still chewed gum on roller coasters this year and i have had no problems ta all.
One mistake, even a tragic one shouldnt cause every guest to have to spit out there gum before riding a coaster, escpecially when this rule isnt enforced at non-SF theme parks.

From Joe Lane
Posted August 22, 2004 at 7:24 PM
OGrosky, I fully encourage you to chew gum on every thrill ride from now on...

... please?

From Robert OGrosky
Posted August 22, 2004 at 9:21 PM
Joe, i will do so tomorrow when i visit SFGAM.

From Cody Cromarty
Posted February 17, 2005 at 6:01 PM
I wonder where OGrosky went. Hey, maby he died too! Let's party!

From Ben Mills
Posted February 18, 2005 at 6:45 AM
That's a terribly insensitive thing to say. Robert contributes much to these boards, and I'm sure many people would miss him, both online and offline, were he to tragically pass away. It would seem that you meant the comment in humour, but please, be a little bit more thoughtful in future. No one deserves to be told that someone wishes them to die, not even TPI's comedy villain, T Holland. That's just plain mean.

From Robert OGrosky
Posted February 18, 2005 at 12:13 PM
Well. im still here and im still alive and still chew gum on roller coasters and no worse for the wear!!

From Jason Lester
Posted February 18, 2005 at 9:09 PM
Jackass.

(Not you Robert)

From Anthony Murphy
Posted February 19, 2005 at 12:04 AM
This was released awhile ago that she died from heart problems. Why are we bringing it up again? Also, Lake County is in Illinois, but thats not too big of a deal!

From Jason Lester
Posted February 19, 2005 at 9:55 AM
Wasn't this like 2 years ago?

From Cody Cromarty
Posted March 13, 2005 at 8:40 AM
Have you ever heard the phrase "I'll try being nicer if you try being smarter"? I only respect people that deserve it. People that deserve it are those who use their heads for something other than a hat rack.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted March 13, 2005 at 2:27 PM
Again, this is really old news! I have no clue why we are still talking about it. If this is just a discussion to verbally murder somebody, then it should be taken off. Yes, what the guy said was stupid, but it was said and we need to move on! Stop this bickering like children!

From Jaivion Williams
Posted February 5, 2007 at 6:48 AM
Yeah didn't she go on the superman,I was supposed to go that day,but they said she had an heart condition.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted February 5, 2007 at 7:17 AM
No it was Raging Bull and it happened more than two years ago!

From Adrian Walker
Posted February 5, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Wow Anthony, doesn't time fly while your having fun?

From Anthony Murphy
Posted February 5, 2007 at 1:37 PM
Well Adrian I am just suprised that this post has been revived since the incident has happened more than four years ago! (I was wrong in the first post!)

Its old news!


Anyway, this would be my "home park" I guess since I live only about 40 minutes from it! Still, I would take Disney or Universal any day!

From Adrienne McDonald
Posted February 5, 2007 at 1:42 PM
I remember Astroworld had a "gum target" in the que line of the Mayan Mindbender. It was disgusting & gross. There was gum EVERYwhere, even on the trees. It was so gross! I think the park opened a can of worms when they put that up coz I think ppl just threw gum anywhere just for kix. I think if ppl wanted to chew gum it should be their decision. I really don't chew gum, very rarely if any; I would be too afraid of choking on it riding a ride though but it should be a person's choice whether to chew it or not.

From Kelly Fleming
Posted February 24, 2007 at 12:01 PM
True that it is old news, but that does not change the fact that it is big news. I think it is interesting no matter how old it is and yes, I do feel bad for her and her family. This story still lives. Just this past season when I went on RB, some guy said "ok now nobody chew gum."

From Anthony Murphy
Posted February 24, 2007 at 2:54 PM
Ok, I would just like to point something out!


This happened more than 3 years ago!

From Mark Walker
Posted February 25, 2007 at 9:26 AM
We should really let this topic go now...


(Oh crud I just responded!)

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