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Teen girl in cardiac arrest after ride on Disney-MGM Tower of TerrorWalt Disney World: There's been another serious accident involving a child at Walt Disney World.
From Robert Niles
16-year-old Leanne Deacon of Britain suffered cardiac arrest after riding Tower of Terror. She was resuscitated by emergency workers and transported to Celebration Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition and unresponsive.Posted July 12, 2005 at 4:17 PM
Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond. From Matthew Woodall
This is awful. Why, all of a sudden, is Disney having all sorts of unfortunate accidents?Posted July 12, 2005 at 6:18 PM
From Joe Lane
Okay, before everyone goes ballistic: millions of people ride Tower of Terror every year. The ride does feature warnings and restrictions for riders. As far as we can tell, this is simply an unfortunate incident with suggestive timing in that a medical emergency occurred recently at a nearby park.Posted July 12, 2005 at 6:23 PM Add the fact that the press has probably been watching the parks closely since the Mission: Space incident--likely looking for a big scoop, and you probably have the reason why it appears so many accidents are occuring on Disney rides. Health-related accidents, also, nothing directly related to ride safety or maintainence. So no need to elevate the terror alert, folks. ^_^;
From Mark Hollamon
I always love to read threads like this on this site and look at the responses from people! "Not another Disney tragedy!" It's so laughable that people even waste their time commenting on incidents like this!Posted July 13, 2005 at 12:42 AM Local news in Orlando reported the person was not feeling well BEFORE entering the park. Report on that! There's the real tragedy! A person did not understand the warning signs of serious illness and this happened as a result. It happens all over the world every day. This time it happened at Disney, so let's all get responsible and start commenting on a different thread and leave this one alone! I know this is a site to post opinions and comments, but it gets old.
From Andrea Dewsbury
Ok, seriously, this is getting a little ridiculous, i mean really. First the report of this 4 year old kid on the mars simulator ride - I have a 5 year old who's a thrill seeker and I would NEVER take him on a ride like that - kinda makes you think what kind of people these are, taking a 4 year old on such a ride. The girl that had the heart attack, well, if she was feeling sick in the FIRST place, perhaps going on a ride that plumets was not such a smart move to begin with.Posted July 13, 2005 at 7:43 AM Although it's been several years since my last visit to any of the Disney Theme Parks, in Feb/2006 I'm taking my 5 year old, who will be almost 6 at that time and believe me, his thrills will be kept to the rides that I think he's good to go on, for KIDS. I will save the thrills for the adults.
From Anthony Murphy
Once again, another unfortunite accident that was NOT Disney's Fault. There was something wrong with that girl that would cause that arrest to happen. The Tower of Terror has been open now for 11 years and it has a pretty good track record for any park. I think Disney is just having problems with people who have unknown conditions dying on their rides. I do not think that Disney did anything wrong, but is just getting bad press because it is a bad chances that two people got hurt. I hope this girl makes a complete recovery!Posted July 13, 2005 at 8:41 AM
From Britt Blankenship
I find it interesting that I cannot find an artical about this AT ALL on CNN.com. Did find it on FoxNews.com. I guess CNN figured that they would have to mention that she wasn't feeling good before she got on, and that wouldn't promote their agenda.Posted July 13, 2005 at 8:45 AM
From Amy Potter
It is very unfortunate to any person or family that suffers a tragedy...especially of a child. I feel bad for this 16 year old girl and her family, but people, if the warnings are not enough, this should be. We should all learn from things like this and use this information to better our lives. Warning signs are not there as a joke, and the signs do state...if you have any OTHER conditions that would cause any health problems, please do not ride this ride. I think Disney is NOT responsible...now if the elevator cable snapped, threw the people out and flew in the parking lot, then yes, Disney is to blame...poor maintenance. In this case, it seems this 16 yr old just was not well to being with, and the ride triggered a health problem. Read the signs, or pay for misfortune...that's all...only yourself is to blame.Posted July 13, 2005 at 10:15 AM
From Robert OGrosky
I hope the girl pulls out of this and is ok!!! And i wouldnt take the girl too task, this may have happened anyway and no one is perfect.Posted July 13, 2005 at 11:07 AM And im glad that the ride was re-opened today as there is no indication at all that the ride malfunctioned
From Robert Niles
It's certainly good news that her condition has not deteriorated further since she arrived at the hospital. Of course, we should all send our best wishes and thoughts to her and her family. Nobody deserves this.Posted July 13, 2005 at 2:33 PM And let's take a moment to remember to check up on our own health. And also to remember to take care of ourselves. If you're not used to the U.S. Southeast, the weather there is hot, sticky and sunny. Rest, shade and water -- throughout the morning, afternoon and evening -- puts you in your best position to avoid serious, or even just annoying, conditions.
From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Someone cursed Disney...Posted July 13, 2005 at 3:21 PM
From Mark Fairleigh
First off, I hope the girl recovers a-okay. Fact is there are many people with congenital defects that go undetected till they manifest. I'm guessing that this is another case. You always here about a young high school athlete collapsing on a basketball court of a heart attack. At least I have. Intense rides are gonna stress the heart and if you have an underlying condition...well somethings gonna give. Poor girl, but far from anything anyone is responsible for imho.Posted July 13, 2005 at 6:50 PM
From Lambizzee yoka
It isn't disneys fault. She felt sick before so she shouldn't have rode it. What i really hate about disney though is that they keep the press low. Also they don't keep ambulences at the park because they don't want to scare people.Posted July 14, 2005 at 9:09 PM
From Anthony Murphy
if they had ambulances there everybody would crowd around it and it would be hard to get around.Plus, i think disney is handling very well for the victims family and customers enjoying the tower of terrorPosted July 14, 2005 at 9:26 PM
From Sherly C.
What if terrorists are trying to get back at USA and they decide to sabature one of the most visited places in FL?? Crazy thought.Posted July 15, 2005 at 1:02 AM
From Michael Patalano
Here are quotes from an Orlando-Sentinel Article: Posted July 15, 2005 at 2:41 AM " The girl "had been complaining of headaches and leg cramps for several days," the report states. No one was in the Tower of Terror car when a computer recorded a technical glitch. The glitch concerned the speed of the car while it moves horizontally, not as it travels through the vertical shaft, Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. The readings were "totally irrelevant" to the incident, Prunty said. A Disney maintenance employee told investigators in a sworn statement that the glitch was "in no way a safety concern or could in no way cause injury," according to the sheriff's report. Moments before falling ill, Leanne smiled, as revealed in a souvenir snapshot taken by a Tower of Terror camera and released by the Sheriff's Office. At 9:49 a.m. Tuesday, as the ride took its final plunge, Leanne's eyes closed and her mouth grinned wide." -Obviously, she was fine until the very last moment. She had headaches before. How many people here have riddden some sort of thrill ride, when they had a headache. It is not her fault for going on. This was most likely an undetected problem, which would make all warning signs useless.
From Terri Boyer
I just wanted to respond to the person who stated that this was never mentioned on CNN.com. That is actually where I first heard about it, but you need to go to the US page, it just isn't enough of a story to be put on "front page" news.Posted July 15, 2005 at 3:53 PM
From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Maybe Tower of Terror is really haunted right now.Posted July 15, 2005 at 10:55 PM
From robin jacobs
well, i was in orlando this past week, and i remember that my mother was reading a paper and it stated that this girl went on tower of terror a number of times. I went on it once, (this past monday). i really think she shouldn't have went on it as much as she did.Posted July 16, 2005 at 9:33 AM
From Elizabeth Goetz
These accidents are nothing new for WDW they are just really good at covering them up. My mother (40 and healthy at the time) passed out on Mission Space last year and was hospitalized for 3 days and not permitted to travel on an airplane for 3 months. When admitted to hospital the staff said, "let me guess Mission Space". the ride spun loose gasses into her brain - equivalent to scuba diving bends. No telling how many accidents really occure that we just never hear about!Posted July 16, 2005 at 1:55 PM
From Kevin Baxter
No, Terri, it wasn't on CNN!!! It WASN'T!!!! Cuz they have an agenda!!!! AN AGENDA!!!!!Posted July 17, 2005 at 8:23 PM If you want to know the relative IQ of a person, ask them how much validity there is to the CONSERVATIVE-BASED report that CNN is "liberal." If they believe it, then you know they dumber than dirt! (Especially considering SOMEONE couldn't find it... I found it quite easily, but, then again, I don't automatically believe everything out of a politician's slimy mouth either!) Yes, CNN is sooooooooo agenda-oriented. This is the station that kisses tons of WHITE political ass so the Republicans won't boycott their talk shows. The show that has trumpeted the Iraq war ever since it started. The station that is only "liberal" when compared to Fox, the station for Nazis and their kind. From now on, the term knee-jerk needs to be typed as such: knee-JERK.
From Steph M
This poor victim may have been doing everything right. With the symptoms she had, she had know way of knowing they were that serious. Only one person mentioned a congentital defect. These conditions are unfortunately becoming increasingly more common in young people. In this case, it seems all signs point to her having some kind of defect such as an enlarged heart. Surely she did not have a history of cardiac arrest because sadly, heart defects usually aren't discovered until something tragic like this happens. When a child gets a physical, doctors don't screen for heart defects like HCM. A special test is required. Since victims don't usually have any symptoms, most kids have never been screened. Posted August 3, 2005 at 10:15 PM She could have easily gone into arrest at any point, even just running around. Most patients of these conditions don't even make it to the hospital. The workers who were involved in this incident had to have utilized a defibrillator in time to stabilize her to get to the hospital. This is crucial to any chance of survival and so they had have done everything possible. Disney is not trying to cover up accidents, just to protect people. I have worked for a theme park for 5 years and I can tell you that having to handle any type of incident, whatever the outcome is, is EXTREMELY traumatic for those working there. The girl.. as well as those working for Disney who were involved... will be in my prayers.
From Andrew Brajner
for the comment about not having EMS vehicles at disny, it is false. The company owns and operates a company called READY CREAK that has a emergency division that is just as good or better than regular EMS crews due to the fact that they are specially trained for these situations that could arise at the parks. I can speak first hand for this as I used to work in an Admin role at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. You can be assured that disney has the best support and that the guests saftey is the # one goal and always has and always will be. I would feel more safe at these parks than any other operated one due to the standards that the company upholds. Thank you.Posted August 12, 2005 at 12:56 PM
From Cameron Rust
The REEDY CREEK EMS TEAM is just as suitable as a regular EMS team or better, as they usually only handle park-based calls. Posted August 12, 2005 at 6:12 PM
From lou lou
Does anyone know whether this girl has been able to return home to England yet? Hope she's okay.Posted August 12, 2005 at 7:32 PM
From Deborah Davis
Yes, here's a link: http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_219183343.htmlPosted August 13, 2005 at 6:50 AM
From Gareth Hurford
She's home but apparently still ill.Posted December 29, 2005 at 2:34 PM Is everyone aware she rode this ride about 6 times in a row (OK, she had to join the queue again). Unfortunate, but you've got to know your limits!
From Anthony Murphy
Even riding it six times does not send somebody into cardiac arrest for no reason! It is unfortunate, but its good that she is ok! It was a freak accident of an unknown condition!Posted December 30, 2005 at 10:06 AM
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