Accidents Involving Injury at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Official U.S. federal and state data on theme park accidents is almost nonexistent. That's why Theme Park Insider users are creating this visitor-maintained database of theme park accidents--to give public at least some information about attraction safety records.

Do you know of, or have been part of, an accident involving injury at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Report it to Theme Park Insider.

Verified Incidents

8/17/2009 - Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - Submitted by robert on 8/18/2009

Stunt performer Anislav Varbanov, 30, was fatally injured during a rehearsal for the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular." He was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. when he was hurt.

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A 12-year-old boy died on a roller coaster at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

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Follow-up:
The victim, Michael Russell, 12, of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was found to have had a congenital heart defect, discovered during an autopsy. The boy's father, Byron Russell, an Iraq War veteran who was part of the 5th Special Forces Group from Fort Campbell, Ky., performed CPR on his son until paramedics arrived. -- Submitted by robert on 7/1/2006

A 12 year old boy had a heart attack while on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and died. -- Submitted by nici_765 on 5/6/2007

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.

For more information about this incident, visit http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=2246

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Follow-up:
I was not there, but happened across the news report. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.wesh.com/news/4713556/detail.html?subid=22100409&qs=1;bp=t] -- Submitted by robotlick on 7/12/2005

This is an earlier account of the accident. [For more information about this incident, visit http://www.wesh.com/news/4714668/detail.html] -- Submitted by 6woogie on 7/12/2005

My family and inlaws were watching the 4:15pm show and a male stunt person who was to slide down a rope going from the top of a building, over the jeep that was parked and down to another building lost his grip and fell at least 20 feet if not more and landed on his stomach/right side area and right side of head. It was horrible because when he landed he kind of bounced a little bit. He did not move at all and we thought he had died because he wasn't moving. But then he was medi-vac'ed out and we spoke to a castmember later and she told us he was awake, trying to talk but his face was obviously factured as well as his skull, he could move his fingers a little bit but he could not move anything else. # of the 12 of us saw the entire tradgey unfold and I believe he did not have his wrist through the loop when he started his decent, but just grapped the bottom of it and just lost his gripe. It was really sad. They cancelled the rest of the shows for the day.

For more information about this incident, visit http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizbizbriefcase19021903feb19.story

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Follow-up:
I spoke with the mother of the injured stunt man and he is in critical condition. The description of the accident submitted on 02/17/03 is accurate. -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 2/18/2003

The man looked like he had broke all of his bones and his knee bone stuck out of the leg -- Submitted by dada212 on 2/18/2003

I was at the same show with my family. The accident happened directly in front of me. It was a terrible accident, we all worried he was dead. I would appreciate hearing any further updates on the actor's condition. We have been praying for him. -- Submitted by Judyrad3 on 2/19/2003

I was pretty close to him, too. It was really terrible. I thought he was dead. Falling 30 feet onto concrete will defenitely kill you. I'm happy and surprised that he made it through. He must have great will power. -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 3/6/2003

A 43-year-old man suffered a brain injury--acute subdurmal hematoma with rebleed.

For more information about this incident, visit http://www.house.gov/markey/iss_parkrides_list020507c.pdf

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In March, 1998, a 67-year-old man suffered a brain injury, diagnosed as a vertebral artery dissection.

For more information about this incident, visit http://www.house.gov/markey/iss_parkrides_list020507c.pdf

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september 1998 Around 9:00am A car malfunctioned sending 20 people crashing down when they weren't supposed to. They were all taken to hospital. An emergency stopping procedure was the only thing that saved their lives

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Follow-up:
I worked at the Tower of Terror as a attractions host (the bellhops in the funny costumes that put you on the ride). Several coworkers who were at the ride on that day confirmed it's true. The Elevators were accidently left in maitenance mode and were on a test program. Since then Disney has implemented new procedures to ensure that it will never happen again. By the way, the injured were giving lots of free things to hush up and not make a big scene. -- Submitted by Name Withheld on 1/7/2002

Yes , Unfortanly i was in this accident so was my family and friends , We all got badly heart and some people had brain damage , What i dont like is they offered us free plain tickets and unlimited tickets to there hotels , They did this because they didn't want us to sue. -- Submitted by charliecreed on 12/3/2003

Unverified Reports

My wife and I were entering Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seating area when was pushed by the crowd and caught her foot on the top bleacher and went over the top of the bleachers fell down 2 rows she sustained injuries to her knee back and head she was taken to Cellebration's hospital.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

An unattended child pushed a stroller in my walking path causing me to fall over the stroller, over the curb and into the pavement. I hit my forhead and both knees. It took the emt's 1 hour to get to the park. I spent 5-6 hours in the hospital. I had a ct scan, findings large left frontal soft tissue hematoma. It measures 1.66 x 3.03 cm. No fractures are seen. I had 5 x-rays on my right knee. Contusion of my right knee, which caused local pain, swelling and bruising. No broken bones. This injury may take from a few days to a few weeks to heal. As of 6/30. My knee and lower leg are still bruised and hurting. My face is still back, blue, various colors plus the hematoma is still quite large on my forhead.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

During the second part of the first daily showing of the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at the Disney MGM Studios, one stunt man was injured. The "hero" of the show was racing on a motorcycle when he attempted to jump a ramp while pursued by the "bad guys." His jump came up short and his front wheel slammed against the wall of the ramp, catapulting him head first into the ramp itself. The other cyclists avoided collision by making controlled falls. They all seemed all right. The injured stuntman barely moved and the attraction's staff immediately covered him with a tarp, obstructing the view of the 2,000 spectators who were shocked at what they had seen. Medical personnel and a stretcher were immediately dispatched. The theater was quickly emptied of the public. The injured performer was not evacuated until the theater was empty. When asked if the stunt performer was going to be all right, a cast member stated "We don't know yet."

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

My 4 year old was alone for 2 minutes to go down the kodak canister slide and she slipped and knocked out her eyetooth and chipped her front tooth. She'll now be without an eyetooth for 3 years until her permanent tooth comes in. She has NEVER had a serious injury before.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

Follow-up:
It is very likely this injury occurred. One helpful bit of advice I'd like to impart on anyone who might stumble upon this accident report: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN UNATTENDED! As well, do NOT let your child slide down the Kodacolor Film Can Slide head first! This is the most frequent cause of accidents, second only to children attempting to climb the slide. -- Submitted by SurferClock on 12/16/2007

The approximate date is a few years ago. I was seated in the auditorium portion and because my feet did not touch the ground I had my legs bend around the underside of the chair when the seats jolted at one point my leg was pulled in such a way that i bruised/sprained my knee.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

Follow-up:
This is not possible for this attraction on account of the fact that the 'auditorium' you descrive resides at Epcot, at the "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" attraction. -- Submitted by SurferClock on 12/16/2007

In April 2005 at Lights! Motors! Action! at Disney MGM Studios during the soft opening, one of the black Cobra Minis spun out and hit the bleachers. The driver was hurt, but I don't know the exact injuries.

This incident has not been confirmed. Click here if you can verify it, or have additional information.

In April(I believe), during the Ballet Chase sequence at the beginning of the show, a black Cobra clipped the side of a building on the set at 50 mph. It smashed into the red "hero" car and wedged the red car between it and a bridge. The driver of the red car had to be cut out. As far as i know, the driver of the Cobra sustained no injuries. The driver of the red Pontiac GTO aggravated a back injury sustained at the original Disneyland Paris show and recieved a broken thumb.

For more information about this incident, visit http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw050404.htm

If you have additional information that can confirm, clarify or refute any of these reports, please e-mail the editor! (Please don't forget to include the attraction's name in your message.)

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