Perhaps my gullible statement was extreme, however, interviewing whomever will talk and then reporting it as "eyewitness" fact does not constitute "making" a story from what you have. The reporter should cross reference information to conclude what is reliable. This is why we have so many corrected headlines and people being dragged through the coals on false or inaccurate information. The reporter should always consider the source of information.

The pressures of deadlines and being first unfortunately often mean that a reporter who does so will find himself or herself in the unemployment line.

Media used to have many editors, proofreaders and factcheckers. Most are no longer employed in the media or are making far, far less than they once did while having far greater workloads and being stretched way too thin.

The high sounding ethics, virtues and integrity taught in journalism schools (themselves anachronisms) are not so easy to attain in the real world as opposed to the academic ivory tower.

What I find sad is how people are now associating this death at other places. For example at Cedar Point yesterday halfway up the lift on Millennium Force these girls behind me were talking about this accident, and about how they hoped they wouldn't fall out. An even worse one yesterday was when a Millennium train stopped on the lift hill (it does that a lot, and I've found it sometimes it happens if a seatbelt gets unbuckled), and some kids in line behind me kept saying that they thought it stopped since someone fell out. This accident in Texas has sparked fear everywhere.

The train stops on mf lift hill occasionally cause the crew is so fast the train on course has not passed by the sensor....

^I've never heard that before. Then why, when the ride stops, does it take 20 minutes to get it started again? And someone has to go in the elevator up the lift to the train?

I still think it's because of seat belt issues. I was told this by a park worker before. Not sure if they were joking or if this is the case. If there's anyone on here who knows for sure, please let me know.

If you mean by that there is some kind of sensors in that ride's seat belts, no. If a ride op sees a guest remove a seat belt (and there are cameras) or otherwise act in an unsafe or unexpected manner, yes the train can be and is stopped on the lift.

I can vouch for the seat belt being a reason it stops on the lift. On opening weekend we got stopped while riding the blue train on the lift for about 25 minutes, with an area supervisor and maintenance worker coming up in the elevator telling us they evacuated a woman behind us due to her seat belt coming undone. Once we got going again we were on the last blue train as they cycled it off and had that seat blocked off later when we got back in line.

Edit: after Terpy's post, I figured I needed to add clarification, they did see the seat belt come undone and hang to the side while leaving the station.

Ok that's what I thought. It just seems to happen so much. Almost once every time I go to the park, at least that I know of.

A lot of Americans aren't used to those European style buckles INTAMIN uses.

I was talking to my parents today and they brought up the question of why they dont just add an extra level of safety like seat belts to rides at KI

Oh, I'd say that's about 99.44% likely.

Oh, I'd say that's about 99.44% likely.

Like going back on Flight Deck? Or being added to Diamondback for the first time?

B&M never installed seatbelts on their hypers after there has been incidents before.

I meant it's 99.44 percent likely for New Texas Giant and Rattler. I doubt you see them on Diamondback, but reinstallation on Flight Deck would not at all surprise me.

I missed the "at KI" part, and didn't expect it in this thread.

Yea my parents have a limited knowledge of rides outside their home park....

You guys should hear some of the new idiotic policies being thrown around by SEA executives right now. Overreaction at its finest.

All the industry shares best practices (and an overall reputation and sense of responsibility) when it comes to safety. What SIX, SEA, or FUN does is very apt to find universal adoption at all parks America, including Disney. This is to a lesser extent also true globally.

The Seat Belt should also be adjustable to a maximum length, making it impossible to force a body to "fit" that shouldn't.

See, for example, Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster...

Some people may complain about them, but they should realize it's for their own safety. It's better to be safe than to run the risk of injury or worse.

Have the seat belts one lenght. If ki installed seat belts on db and you had to have 2" of slack, imo it would be tought for 17/18 year olds to enforce it unlike the older crews at cp.

every ride no matter lap bar are over the shoulder should have a seatbelt for a secondary restraint

Every ride...excepting water rides?

IMO water rides are fine with seat belts, but as soon as you start having locking lap bars and restraints, I think that's a big no-no.

And yes, I did just say no-no.

http://behindthethrills.com/2013/07/theme-parks-changing-lap-bar-policy-after-woman-dies-on-six-flags-coaster/

Great article. It brings up the questions we have debated on her time and time again. Do you make seats that fit larger guests or do you limit larger guests from riding? Do you add a seat belt to existing rides or let them be?

IMO, I feel that we can only make things so safe. Adding a seat belt or at least a belt that can attach to the seat and restraint would be an easier fix. This would also lead to a customer feeling safer because "if the restraint fails, at least this seat belt will help keep me from flinging out"... Also rides are designed for the guest to hold on correct? Maybe stricter enforcement of these rules? But how many rights of passage have their been for the first person in their group to be able to hold there arms up the entire ride of The Beast. (I remember I was 9/10 when I was finally able to do that).

Limiting larger guests? Well maybe. Honestly, Im just glad I dont have to make any of these decisions...

Has anyone heard any updates to this story?

Iron Rattler reopens with new seatbelts.

I still haven't heard anything recently about Texas Giant.

Iron Rattler reopens with new seatbelts.

I still haven't heard anything recently about Texas Giant.

Really? I haven't heard anything. But one of the park officials did say Texas Giant would be closed indefinitely. This is the same issue as Flight Commander, someone fell out and it could have easily been avoided by putting in seat dividers (in this case seatbelts) but they decided to close the ride. I still kinda wish I got to ride these wonderful looking coasters. Hopefully they reopen but I'm not so sure.

Iron Rattler reopens with new seatbelts.

I still haven't heard anything recently about Texas Giant.

Really? I haven't heard anything. But one of the park officials did say Texas Giant would be closed indefinitely. This is the same issue as Flight Commander, someone fell out and it could have easily been avoided by putting in seat dividers (in this case seatbelts) but they decided to close the ride. I still kinda wish I got to ride these wonderful looking coasters. Hopefully they reopen but I'm not so sure.

FYI, KI didn't permanently close Flight Commander after the accident.

Following the accident on June 9th 1991, FC was closed for the remainder of the season pending a large investigation. Ultimately the seats/restraints were altered on the attraction and it re-opened in 1992 (the season following the accident.)

It was never a hugely popular attraction, and ultimately low ridership resulted in it's removal. The attraction operated, I believe, 3 more seasons after the tragedy. It was removed (if memory serves me) after 1994.