44-Year-Old Man Dies After Being Found Unresponsive On Disney Ride
Park Officials Say Ride Was Operating Properly
POSTED: 2:57 pm EST December 18, 2007
UPDATED: 4:11 pm EST December 18, 2007
A man died on Tuesday after being found unresponsive in the unloading area of a ride at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, park officials said.
Jeffery Reed, 44, of Navarre, Fla., was discovered unresponsive after riding Expedition Everest, officials said.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered and there were no reported signs of trauma on Reed, Disney officials said through a release.
Reed was transported to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Orange County sheriff's investigators said that Reed appeared to be conscious about 50 seconds before the conclusion of the ride, which reaches speeds of 50 mph and features an 80-foot drop, because his photograph was taken as the coaster progressed toward the unloading area.
The attraction was inspected after the incident and was operating properly, Disney officials said.
The ride has been closed while park officials reconfirm proper operation of the ride, the release said.
The state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection was notified of the incident.
Reed was believed to be visiting the park with family members, according to an Orange County sheriff's report.
"We offer the family our deepest sympathies and will provide assistance to them during this difficult time," Disney representative Andrea Finger said.
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