RJ1
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 5164
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What a tragedy at Six Flags...and we were actually there the day before it happened! My son is only 8 so we didn't ride any MAJOR rides...but we had a blast. When I was a kid you couldn't get me off the rollercoasters. Now, being older and a mechanical engineer, I will never ride the major rides again. We got stuck in the Sky Buckets! Son was terrified...high wind shut it down for about 10 minutes.
Those things are just not natural. Mechanical systems fail. Getting older sometimes sucks...but I'm not sure son will ever ride the big rides. We did the logs, the splash water falls (YIKES!!!), thunder river, sky buckets, mine train, bumper cars, train, and Skull Island (the BEST part!!!).
Do any of you ride them???
My thoughts are with the family of the killed boy yesterday...
RJ
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JennyLynn
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 31656
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I do - I love Six Flags. I've never taken my son to an amusement park though, and I think I'd have a hard time doing it with all the accidents that have happened the last few years. Last year I went after hearing about a guy who lost his legs on one of the rides...I still went on it. But when it comes to my baby...I think I'd be fearful.
On the other hand...we put ourselves and our children at risk every day. In our vehicles, on airplanes...etc. Unfortunately accidents will always happen, but it's not the norm. But it's also completely normal to worry and to be aware.
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youngatheart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/05
Posts: 9394
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Do you notice, though, that both deaths on this ride have to do with people being in a restricted area when they aren't supposed to be there? I'm sorry for the family, but good Lord, what the hell did those boys think would happen when they jumped TWO fences into a restricted area?
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javajunkiee
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 3154
Loc: SC
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[quote]Do you notice, though, that both deaths on this ride have to do with people being in a restricted area when they aren't supposed to be there? I'm sorry for the family, but good Lord, what the hell did those boys think would happen when they jumped TWO fences into a restricted area? [/quote]
Exactly! There was some sort of indication he was going after a lost object, possibly something he lost from being on the ride? But if that was the case, why didn't he just get someone from the park to retrieve it for him? Impatience just cost him his life.
I like the rollercoasters but I don't ride them that often at those parks. It has to be a pretty tame one for me to get on it. It never is too far from my mind that those things are built by the lowest bidder and inspected by an overworked govt agency. Thats a bit cynical, I know.
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Marriage doesn't come with a money-back guarantee.
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youngatheart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/05
Posts: 9394
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I LOVE them. Have since I was a kid. But I cannot ride them anymore because of my neck.
Like Jenn, though...it's a lot different now that my kids are getting on them.
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KiwiGirl
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/09/05
Posts: 6271
Loc: Plains State
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a hat. He jumped 2 6'fences and past signs restricting him from going further for a basball cap from a previous ride.
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If I can't be part of the solution I insist on being most of the problem
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RJ1
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 5164
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Oh I realize that this incident was caused from a poor decision. But google theme park accidents. Lots of accidents are caused from faulty equipment or unknown health conditions. It's a risk to ride them. I'm glad I have a "tame" son...we like being boring. But I was so proud of him for even getting on the ones we rode...we had a literal BLAST. We are still worn out!!! We will return next year...but the big rides...doubtful I'll ever get on them. My fav is the Scream Machine...but I couldn't just leave my son alone to ride it as he would NOT do it (thank GOD). But I will ride that one next year!!! And all day my son wanted a basketball...he started crying because I wouldn't try to win one because I didn't want to carry it around all day. At the end of the day, on the third try, I shot the hoop and nothing but net!!! My son was sooooo happy...I won my baby a basketball!!!!!!!! It was a day to remember and I'm so glad I could share it with my son. Sky Buckets??? NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
RJ
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youngatheart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/05
Posts: 9394
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Oh, I know. I just HATE the way that these d*mned "news" organizations report crap like this. "the big, bad roller coaster KILLED an innocent 17 year old boy today". Uhhh...NO. That's not the way it happened. Just makes me nuts.
I'm glad you had a good day. I've been sooo happy to have my angels back this weekend. Even with five kids in the house and a hurt knee.
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gr8Dad
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 30199
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First, as another poster stated, the kids jumped TWO fences, both with signs that said do NOT go in there, it is DANGEROUS.
I could see if they were toddlers who couldn't READ, but these are fully grown teenagers. I HATE that we have to make things SO restrictive because of the STUPID people.
The second thing isthat we REALLY have to lookat the numbers. How many MILLIONS of people go to amusement parks EVERYDAY, and DON'T get hurt? I hate to say it, but think about this, if we use a VERY low number, considering the number of parks, including Disney, all the Six Flags parks, the Busch Gardens parks, etc, and say that a MILLION people a day enter amusement parks, things that have a ONE IN A MILLION chance of happening, could REASONABLE happen once a DAY. Especially when you consider the accidents that happen like this one that are BLATANTLY the "victims" fault, the chances of you getting injured at a park are VERY slim. Actually, I don't think it is unreasonable to say you take a greater chance driving to the amusement park, or to the SUPERMARKET for that matter, than you do entering the park.
Unfortunately, the stupidity of this kid will be paid for in the form of a lawsuit, which will raise the COST and reduce the availability of fun rides for those of us that follow the rules.
I do not know if all of you know the history of Six Flags. The FIRST Six Flags park is located here in Texas, in Arlington. The NAME Six Flags comes from the fact that Texas, throughout history, has had six flags over it (Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederacy, and the US,in that order). Christmas a year and a half ago, we went to the park. They had an "Frosty's Ice Hill" for sledding on. The following sign was listed outside the ride. I am not even going to say what i found ODD about it, but check out rule number 6 on the list (they are not numbered, so you will have to count them):
http://pic70.picturetrail.com/VOL1787/7596917/14386634/323316734.jpg
I KNOW that they go to EXTREME lengths to keep the guests safe, but accidents are going to happen. If for NO other reason, bad press is BAD for business. Nothing like a decapitated teenager to turn away prospective customers.
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Why give a "senior" discount, they have had plenty of time to raise the money...
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Redlegg
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/05/06
Posts: 26686
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Maybe thats the cost of the fuel required to run it :)
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