firebasic

While I was enjoying the fireworks I had my scanner on the OP freq. From what the maintenance units were discussing they lost at least leg one leg of power. The rides OD sent home dark ride and woodstock express were sent home at about 2230 and told to "check in with swings". The log flume went signal 99 at 2130ish apparently they had lost 1 of the 2 main pumps (resulting in both lifts shutting down). The majority of ride computers were non-functional resulting in the lighting not coming on. That's what I remember off the top other than people trying to figure out who had keys to what.

I found out the night it happened, from a friend who was working at KI that night. I recall him being a character actor. I don't know if he was working or on break, but he was by the Eiffel Tower when it happened. The operator of the elevator said there was a thump. then blood started running down the outside of the box. I don't want to say his name, but the character actor saw the elevator himself. He was close enough when it came down to see it. He was shaking when he talked about it. I was at his girlfriend's house at the time, (she was my cousin,) when he came over to talk about it. He was let off of work early. My aunt got him some of her best scotch, and he told us about what he saw and heard. From what the police could tell, John Harter was climbing on the inside of the tower to the top. There was no room for both him and the counterweight where he was climbing. As he was climbing up, the counterweight came down, smashing him full on, and that's when he fell onto the top of the elevator. It evidently wasn't a simple decapitation, because they had a large area taped off to look for body parts. Edit: I called my cousin and double checked the story. The counter weight was going up, caught him, and dragged him through the rollers at the top of the tower. I had my direction wrong. +1 As for TJ still hanging around the park that is open for your own interpretation. If anyone else can explain why a paint can of nails happend to fly 6' and turn on the lights on the storage run on Beast.....

The fog used on the ride originally was a water mist system (similar to the unit used on WTRA). It was removed due to excessive rust to the car undercarriage.

Frankly I don't think they have any choice in the matter at this point. Based on the testimony I doubt any insurance company would insure the operation of SOB. Since we live in a litigation based society now any further injuries would almost instantly create a lawsuit. The park now publicly knows that the ride is deficient in engineering. They would be willingly endangering the public by reopening. I am not sure based on what I know that any amount of repair could bring the ride back to being structurally sound. While I would hate to see it go I just don't see any other viable choice. I know this is an old adage that was told to me when I started in the amusement park biz. A new employee asked an older one "What is the life expectancy of a ride?" The older gentleman replied "Until the first major accident."

There is also one when the ride shuts down. I was trying to remember the wording to it this morning and couldn't for the life of me. It only plays when the ride auto E-stops or the E is pressed on the console. It was something like: You came here to study us, now your the one stuck and being studied.

I haven't been to the park in a few years. Does FoF still have the automated sounds when it E-Stops?

Only one change... Short of changing ownership of the park I would say that the theme/landscaping needs to be restored to there glory days. I know Cedar Fair has never really placed a high priority on the appearance and theming of an area. When KI first opened (no I was not alive however have had the pleasure of looking through a bunch of old albums) everything was well themed, manicured and period correct. Over the years this has given way to standardized uniforms ect. that severely detract from the experience. And the grounds care has been severely lacking ever since the late 1990's. If it does not feel comfortable I could care less how many rides you have. Just my 2 cents.