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Latest accident at Six Flags is another safety reminder
Perhaps it's the word amusement that helps make amusement park accidents seem so devastating. The latest accident I heard about on the news tonight is too awful to imagine and is a reminder to go over safety lessons with teens over and over and over again.
As a parent of a teen, I know that the diatribe of safety lessons may not actually keep my daughter that much safer, but what else is a parent to do? Children get past the point where we hold their hands as they go from one ride to the next.
When they are little, we snap photos as they go in circles on rides that only go in a slow circle. Police cars, motorcycles, boats, fire engines--all with fake wheels and steering wheels that follow each other around and around. We wave at our children and they wave back, thrilled each time they come closer to us and then move further away until they stop and they are with us once more.
Then, the children who were once content to be at an amusement park with us--their parents, are chomping to go off on their own and we let them. We tell them the warnings. We tell them what not to do. We say, "Be careful."
Mostly they do.
But when they don't, it can become a nightmare.
Saturday a young man didn't heed the warnings and set off over fences of the restricted area of the Batman roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta to retrieve a baseball cap. That's one of the theories of what he was doing there where the ride could hit him.
The force was so great that he was decapitated. [see CBS News article.]
I have never told my daughter to not jump a fence at an amusement park. It's one more item for my list. Maybe it will do some good.
Here is a page from the Web Site Safer Parks that details risk factors for various types of rides to help you and yours be safer this summer if you are heading to an amusement park.
Also, here's a post Justin wrote in June last year about other ride accidents that points out the importance of safety.
Filed under: News, Travel Health
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Secret Asian Man Jun 29th 2008 4:37AM
I can't say I feel sorry for the victim. Clearly he wasn't thinking with his head when he felt it was important to retrieve his cap. So I guess life or fate or Death saw fit to lop his head off. After all, he saw no need for it.
Sounds like something straight out of Final Destination, if you think about it. Boy lost his cap, loses his head figuratively, fails to heed common sense, loses his head literally.
Josh L Jun 29th 2008 11:22AM
Living in Atlanta I agree with the above poster. This is yet another example of southern baptist church members who are (1) ignorant and (2) stupid. Who scales TWO 6-foot fences (with MULTIPLE warnings) to get a hat and/or take a "short-cut" back from lunch?!? Ever think of asking someone?
Or maybe South Carolina schools are behind in reading comprehension.
Well at least we know this wasn't a great loss of the next brilliant scientist...
Child of the King Jul 11th 2008 10:14AM
It seems that you lack some education to make some slanderous remarks such as this. If you were not there to witness the incident or to direct this person onto another path, you have no room to talk. Can you imagine the horror that his family is going through at a time like this and all you can is degrade this child. What type of morals were you taught coming up? Think if this were your family member and someone said something as ignorant as what you have just said.
I don't think that any of your names is Jesus Christ and that you have died on the cross for any of us let alone yourself so how could you be so judgemental of anything that anyone does. Until you have died unselfishly for anyone's sins, gone to hell to retrieve the keys, and rose again after three days PLEASE spare your commentaries on anything that this child has done. And believe that if he grow up in any type of church, he had a relationship with Christ and if therefore resting in his arms. How about you? Can you say that you will be glorifying him in heaven and rejoicing with the angels. Think twice about how you judge people before judgement is passed on you!
melissa Jun 29th 2008 12:43PM
Have some respect people. This boy was someone son , grandson and brother. This family is dealing with alot and I see no time for cracks at their son being dumb... Every teenager has a moment where they don't think things through..
Secret Asian Man Jun 29th 2008 2:13PM
Why should I have respect for someone who didn't respect his own safety? Why should I have respect for someone didn't respect common sense, clearly labeled warning signs, or two tall fences designed to strongly urge him to reconsider his actions? The boy chose to trivialize his own life over a baseball cap. Therefore I will trivialize his death.
I will not tolerate stupidity. The boy wasn't 10 years old nor was he lacking any mental capacity due to a disability. Which meant he had no excuse other than plain old stupidity to get himself killed.
Do not insult teenagers everywhere being saying they all at one point were so stupid as to willing walk into a flying guillotine and not fully understanding the consequences. Have some respect.
I'm not saying I've never done anything stupid. But when I do something stupid, I accept full responsibility for my actions and any consequences that comes with it. So if I was dumb enough to tease a dog and end up with stitches and a missing finger, I expect everyone to laugh at me and say to me, "That's what you get, dumb ass." And if I am ever idiotic enough as to trifle with my life and lose, I deserve every bit of mockery and insults along with the forfeit of my life.
james Jun 29th 2008 12:52PM
I agree, melissa. I have rarely seen a site with so many calous remarks as I find on this one. Anytime there is an article about unusual behavior, disability, or misfortune, the creeps come out of the woodwork. There is a German term for it (shadenfreund?) I think means friend of sorrow.
PE37 Jun 30th 2008 7:48PM
First of all, I find it HIGHLY insulting and insensative in the LEAST that you feel the need to pass judgement on a child! Seventeen years old, is still underage. I can recall many an incident where I have done something that could have potentially been life threatening, however, I was blessed enough for my life to be spared. Unfortunately for Shawn, his was not. I am from SC, the victim is MY COUSIN, I have a journalism degree and a masters degree from HOWARD UNIVERSITY and will be entering law school in the fall. NO, I am no STUPID because I am from SC. It is so very easy to "speculate," on what the media has told you...just remember that there is always more than ONE side to every story. So please think before calling "southern baptists" stupid. Addtionally, there IS a DIFFERENCE between being Baptist and being Southern Baptist. Perhaps you need to read a history book. You are not as smart as you think. Have some respect.
Jamie Rhein Jun 29th 2008 11:58PM
PE37,
I am so sorry for the loss of your cousin and have thought of him so many times since I heard of the accident.
I've taught teenagers besides going through the process of raising one. There is such an impulsiveness and sense of being invincible.
Not thinking before acting is so common. You are right. Most adults have pulled some pretty stupid stunts in their youth. There is a reason why car insurance is so high for teenagers, for example.
Again, I'm sorry for your loss.
Edie Jun 30th 2008 10:19AM
I am from the same area as your cousin, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. I didn't know him, but being Southern Baptist myself, I feel relief in knowing that he is now with the God he knew and who forgives and claims as his own all who believe in him, ask for forgiveness for their sins, and accept him.
lil t Jun 30th 2008 12:01AM
You that are talking about this boy like you knew him or have some right to talk about his acciendt have no heart nor clue what life is really all about!!!! How many times have you done something stupid and were thankful after looking back on it that nothing seriuos happened to you? I will pray for you tonight!! I wish I could meet you face to face to let you really know what I think about you and pathetic waying of thinking!! You should seriously thinking about getting some for heartless behavior and speech. Sounds like youf American right of freedom of speech needs to be taken away way due to your own stupidity!!!
Evian Jun 30th 2008 1:21AM
I'm a ride operator at a Six Flags theme park. My father told me about this story just as he dropped me off for work. The first thing that came to mind was how could anybody be so stupid! This teen jumped not one, but two fences to get into a restricted area and a danger zone.
I tried to feel sorry the the guy, I really did but I couldn't dredge up any sympathy. There's a reason for every sign in the park, there's a reason why employees ask guests to leave behind any loose articles before getting on a ride and to take off their sandals. I've gotten nasty looks and into arguments with guests just for asking them to adhere to park rules. But I've also seen broken cameras/phones, lost shoes, and people escorted out of the park by park security just for failing to adhere to a simple rule.
Jamie is right, amusement parks are supposed to be fun and it is absolutely devastating to have an incident like this occur when your trying to have relax. However it is important to remember that safety is always the number one priority.
I hope everyone can see past the tragedy and understand the lesson that has been exposed. Always respect your surroundings and respect yourself.
SafetyMan Jul 2nd 2008 3:23PM
Well... Most Likely there's a reason he's labled the "Secret Asian Man"
Shea Jul 3rd 2008 9:00PM
WELL THAT IS DEFINITELY SAD...I AM NOT JUDGEMENTAL SO I WILL NOT REMARK ON HOW THIS CHILD COULD OR COULD NOT BE DUMB, BUT WHAT I WILL DO IS SHARE THE SAME CONCERN AS VAGABONDFRANK, B/C SOMEONE DOES HAVE TO GET THAT UP AND YES THE FEET DO HANG SO THAT MEANS WHOMEVER WAS ON THAT RIDE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEMISE, THEY SAW HIM AND HAD TO HAVE FELT THEIR FOOT KICK SOMETHING AT AN EXTREME FORCE. THAT'S HORRIBLE THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE THAT MUCH FORCE TO TAKE OFF A HEAD.
Jennifer Jul 6th 2008 1:39AM
I have a teenager myself and if you have raised a teenager you would know that they don't think about what could happen!! YOU ARE VERY RUDE PEOPLE!!!! I CAN'T SEE HOW YOU ARE STILL LIVING. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY!!! MAYBE WHEN OTHER TEENS HEAR THIS THEY WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!! JUST BECAUSE THE SIGNS SAY WARNING KEEP OUT, DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO A TEENAGER!!! MAYBE THE SIGNS SHOULD BE MORE OBVIOUS. LIKE , DANGER YOU WILL BE KILLED IF YOU CROSS THIS FENCE!!! I WORRY EVERYTIME MY SON LEAVES HOME BECAUSE HE DOSEN'T THINK THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS. IF IT HAD BEEN MY FAMILY THERE AND HE LOST HIS HAT HE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY DID THE SAME THING!!!! FOR YOU WHO CALLED HIM DUMB/STUPID; MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALSO!!! YOU NEED AS MANY PRAYERS AS THIS FAMILY!! I AM SOUTHERN BAPTIST ALSO AND I AM NOT STUPID!!!! YOU PEOPLE NEED HELP!!!! I AM PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU , AND TO THE MOTHER OF THIS CHILD I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU AND YOUR LOSS I AM PRAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!
Tina Jul 7th 2008 2:07PM
Okay, well then. I am 17 years old. and I beleave I have more coomen sence then the asshole talking about its the kids own fault. Sweetie grow up. It was a baseball cap. Have you ever come to think that mabye it ment alot to him? If that was your cell phone over those fences, or something that ment alot to you...YOU WOULD HAVE JUMPED THE FENCE AND GOTTEN IT ASSHOLE!!. Not even a week ago I wathced a motorcycle accident. The guy died less then 2 yards away from me. Now was it his fault he went when he was suppost to? No. Dont blame people for there own deaths. Becuase trust me karma will come around and bit you hard in the ass. And who knows it just might be your turn to go. God sees all, he hears all, and he knows all. Watch how you talk about people. It will get back to you.
KP Jul 14th 2008 10:51AM
there are some said an ungodly people in this world,im really upset as i read soom of these remarks.my parents always told me if i didnt have something good to say dont say nothing at all.my prays go out to this young mans family,may god bless them an comford them through these trouble times.