Rumor - Accident at Blizzard Beach

[The Deadman]

I'm shocked...well sorta...that no one posted this, and if you have i apologize. But apparently there was an accident at BB on Summit yesterday. Someone did not follow directions about keeping arms and legs crossed and must have tried to stop the descent and his arm got cut. Nothing was severed. Because of the blood they did have to close the slide and the other one that uses the same filtration system till they were sure the pools were safe.

[penguinsoda]

Source?

[sir clinksalot]

It's a waterpark, I'm sure these things happen all the time.

[Roo719]

Chlorine, surprisingly, is a remarkable tool for keeping those pools cleaner than imagined. So I wouldn't have worried too much, even if the cut was profound.

I'm sure small scrapes are par for the course.

But a large cut? I'd wonder where the source was (of the report, not on the victim). I hope he/she was okay.

peace,
Roo

[mlmlml]

I saw the accident. My son was waiting in line & my husband & I were waiting at the bottom for him. About 1/4 of the way down, I saw the blood. When the man got off at the bottom, there was a huge amount of blood. My husband saw a slice of the man's fore arm hanging. Disney reps immediately wrapped his arm in a towel and called for an ambulence. The ride was shut down immediately. I don't know exactly how his arm got cut up so badly, but someone said he was holding his flip flops in his hands. It was horrible.

[steamboatpete]

Sounds almost like my last vacation.

[BANANAZ]

@mlmlml, wow! That's really freaky that you saw that. It would certainly be enough for me not to want to go on that ride. The accident they had on BTM in California a couple of years back makes me nervous to even go on that ride.

[Dustysage]

Water parks are much more dangerous than theme parks. That is why they require "Life guards."

One of the worst injuries I ever had was at a water park (not a Disney park). I decided to go down the speed slide, woosh, it was over. I got up and started to walk away and suddenly park employees were coming out of everywhere to grab me. They put a towel around my shoulders, but I couldn't figure out what was going on.

Then I looked down and there was blood on the ground. Apparently, there must have been a tiny sliver/cut/scratch/protrusion somewhere on the slide. Because of the speed that I was traveling, it sliced my back open just like a razor. I didn't even feel it or know it had happened.

One of the nurses who helped tape up my back (I refused to go to the hospital) told me this is why they don't allow swim suits with metal on them. Rivets, keys, metal hooks, etc can cause tiny slices in the flume, which in turn can become as sharp as medical knives.

Injuries like this happen all the time at water parks. It isn't really news, but it is something worth keeping in mind. Follow the rules, listen the the park employees, and do your best to be safe. However, some injuries just can't be avoided when you are in search of sun and fun.

[FantasmicNut]

WOW THATS SCARY!!!! How awful for the guy. I hope he's ok.

[aimster]

I think I just felt my stomach go topsy turvy.

[disneygirl]

All I can say is Ouch! Hope he's ok.

[Rodney]

I was at the railing at the bottom of the slide when the accident occurred. When the man reach the slow down area and came to a stop the water surrounding him was bright red. The man stood up, turned back to the start of the ride, and lifted his arm to show the Disney people at the top of the slide. From just below his elbow to near his wrist all the muscle and skin was sliced or torn and hanging like a piece of meat from his bones. He got off the slide and either fell or laid down with blood pouring from his arm. A Disney employee approached, saw the wound and, before he even reached the injured person, called the lifeguard on his walkie -talkie and told him to to get an ambulance. I have never seen an injury that appeared this severe. The wound was so deep and extensive that the man must have sustained severe nerve damage to the arm and hand. I did not see the accident occurr, but the extent of the trauma convinces me that this "amusement" should be made safe so this type of accident and injury can not recur, and the slide should be closed until further safety measures are put in place.

[flynnibus]

You could trip, fall, and impale yourself on an innocent fence. Should we put extra safety measures in place so that doesn't happen either?

At some point... things are accidents. The big question is the damage that caused his injury something that happened during the day or was missed in the check of the ride?

Makes you wonder just how can you check the surface of a ride like this easily.. Maybe by sending something down the slide that hugs the surface and easily marks to show if there were any irregularities.

[Boxalarm]

Originally Posted by flynnibus

You could trip, fall, and impale yourself on an innocent fence. Should we put extra safety measures in place so that doesn't happen either?

At some point... things are accidents. The big question is the damage that caused his injury something that happened during the day or was missed in the check of the ride?

Makes you wonder just how can you check the surface of a ride like this easily.. Maybe by sending something down the slide that hugs the surface and easily marks to show if there were any irregularities.

I would assume that a rope system is employed to some extent. Perhaps the inspector is rapeling during the inspection process which would allow them to lock off their decent device and inspect any irregularities or make any minor repairs. I don't know how they do it but I cannot imagine any other technique that doesnt involve ropes, harnesses, and possibly lowering systems involving mechanical advantage.

[astrologic]

Originally Posted by aimster

I think I just felt my stomach go topsy turvy.

Mine did as well.