Man Dies After Riding Busch Gardens Ride

Man Dies After Riding Busch Gardens Ride

TAMPA, Fla.  A 52-year-old man who complained that he felt sick after riding a roller coaster at Busch Gardens died about two hours later in a hospital, park officials said Tuesday.

Thomas M. Welch, 52, of Palm Harbor, was responsive and talking after riding the Gwazi roller coaster Monday morning, but quickly lost consciousness, spokesman Gerard Hoeppner said.

Paramedics attempted CPR and used a defibrillator, but Welch was later pronounced dead at University Community Hospital, Hoeppner said.

The ride was closed briefly after the incident to make sure it was functioning properly, Hoeppner said.

A telephone call placed to the Florida Fair Rides Inspection Bureau was not answered.

Gwazi reaches 50 mph at its highest speed and drops from a 90-foot lift, but does not go upside down, Hoeppner said.

"We don't believe that it was ride-related," he said. "We have very extensive and stringent ride systems and safety procedures. This particular wooden coaster is inspected every day."

Gwazi has written and audio warnings along the way cautioning guests from boarding the ride if they have high blood pressure, heart problems or other illnesses, Hoeppner said.

A woman who answered the phone at the Welch residence declined to give her name, but said the family was grieving and would not comment.

A woman who answered the phone at the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office said they would not release any information until Wednesday.