"Contrary to rumours
and hearsay, I am a rider and lover of various amusement rides.
However, with the onslaught of prototypes and thoughtless contraptions I
disclose in my book, I know what I can and cannot ride. It is more
than a personal choice, rather a sense of instilled safety.
Kings Island's newest
installation, Diamondback, is, by far, the greatest machine I've ever
taken a ride upon. Its reliable manufacturer and performance is
unparalleled.
My biggest concern, like
with all facilities, is the staff. Everyone attending a park should be more
alert to the antics of the ones in alleged control."
Jeffrey P. Stoneking's latest book Theme
Park Safety Failure$ (AuthorHouse) is a wild ride all on its
own. The book not only recounts harrowing tales of safety flaws, but
accidental injuries and death sustained through the pervasive trend
of theme parks to eschew safety for the sake of the bottom line. He
relates account after account of cursory safety inspections,
mismanaged parks, ill-trained operators, idiotic thrill seekers, and
ill-conceived ride designs. Stoneking, a former employee of Kings
Island who also served as a ride operator for the Walt Disney
Company, fills the book with his own observations as well. His
warnings are not just the alarmist rantings of one individual, but a
compilation of well-researched occurrences at theme parks around the
world. Get in line, if you dare.
Delphi's CEO, Steve Miller, calls it
"Fascinating and frightening!"
In the wake of the tragedy at Six Flags
Kentucky Kingdom in 2007 where a young female rider lost both feet
aboard Superman: Tower of Power, author Jeffrey
P. Stoneking compiles research and related circumstances in his new
book, Theme
Park Safety Failure$. His previous experience in the
theme park industry as Operations and Safety Counsel with the Walt
Disney Company's North American properties during the pre-Eisner era
and several positions with Kings Entertainment's Kings Island near
Cincinnati, Ohio are re-awakened for this writing.
"The 2007
incident in Louisville is not isolated in the amusement ride
industry. For many years, accidents have been transpiring, but
the park owners and ride manufacturers do their greatest to silence
the circumstances. It is gravely unfortunate that it takes
such a hideous occurrence as the severing of a teenager's feet to
wake people up.
"Having
been around the world at various facilities for both business and
pleasure, I've seen too much and am no longer accepting what is
deemed permissible. Ride operators are unskilled in dealing
with valuable and precious lives. Manufacturers are
introducing thoughtless contraptions with virtually no time for
error, whose evacuations are also near-impossible.
"This book
is not only a whistle-blower, but also a light-shedding source of
advice to the innocent ones who think they are safe when entering a
park.
"The
writing of it, as with my first book, Reality
Therapy: The Influence of Rollercoasters, Religion, and Rock
'n Roll, was in the same capacity of Jonathan Livingston
Seagull where an unseen force was delivering it. Those are
the indefinable elements which are indicative that some things are
truly meant to be. If it offends any industry official or
theme park fan, then the truth of what is being fully disclosed is
upon their guilty heads."
CEDAR POINT, Sandusky,
OH
Millennium Force, May
2009
What is
often considered to be the greatest steel rollercoaster ever, how great it
would have been for a train filled with passengers to come plummeting
vertically at 93 mph into the broken lift system?
Photos from the web.
Some argue that a train
cannot crest a lift without the cable. Indeed; however, it
can snap during the ascent-to-descent, and the hideousness will occur.
Top Thrill
Dragster's Smoking Cable
During a visit to
Cedar Point on May 12, 2008, I couldn't resist recording Top Thrill
Dragster's cable which launches trains 0-120 m.p.h. in 3.5 seconds.
My position for recording was on the walkway where park attendees are able
to witness their loved ones rocketing by before heading vertically
skywards 42 stories up.
Each and every launch
requires the cable to halt once the desired speed is achieved at which
point, without fail, smoke emits. A clear fluid then drips down
directly onto it.
While exiting the
park, several crew members of Top Thrill Dragster were walking
beside me, and a conversation regarding Theme
Park Safety Failure$was initiated. One of the workers
commented that he fears the cable used on that ride.
In Theme
Park Safety Failure$an incident involving Top Thrill Dragster's
cable during the second season of operation is referenced.
On a visit to the park June, 2009,
the aforementioned fluid is now practically dumped onto the cable.
I've received remarks from hysterical rollercoaster 'enthusiasts' that the
fluid is water to cool off the cable. Indeed, that is true, however,
there is more than just steam with every halt of the cable. Cedar
Point's staff members, including maintenance members, confirm this.
Additionally, the steel fibers are
deteriorating with every launch. See the Knott's Berry Farm incident
further below as to how this exposed cable launch system is a failure.
KINGS DOMINION, Doswell,
VA
Intimidator 305
This woman takes a beating to the neck around the 1:07
mark. She's not alone.
This
guy brags about having "black-out" and "grey-out".
Mr. Brian Gentilini
Hanover County
Building Inspector's Office
P.O. Box 470
7516 County Complex Rd.
Hanover, VA 23069
April 26, 2010
Dear Mr. Gentilini;
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you on
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 with regards to Kings Dominion's latest
rollercoaster installation, Intimidator 305. Be advised that during
my visit on Sunday, April 18th, myself and others were subject to partial
'black-out' on the first turn at the base of the first drop. Additionally,
on the second-to-last turn before the final brake, the left harness
literally chopped into my neck creating a knot in the upper trapezius
muscle.
Initially, I complained about the injury to two robust
women wearing ‘Safety’ park-issued name tags on the ride’s exit
platform. After several heated words, I told them I did, indeed, wish for
medical attention. All the while, I was palpating the deeply-bruised
tissue.
One of the women, a Caucasian, followed myself and
fellow rider to a park bench beside a merchandise outlet. Still kneading
the tissue, I walked over and pointed on a billboard-like diagram of the
ride where I experienced the battering. Several other Safety people
arrived carrying clipboards and soda bottles for their own consumption. It
was more than 15 minutes before Jeff from First Aid arrived pushing a
wheelchair.
While I declined any further attention, other than a
Tylenol, I was asked to fill out paperwork describing the injury and
symptoms. Additionally, I had to sign a release of some sort indicating
that I was going to remain in the park and continue to ride other
attractions.
I have several concerns with regards to the matter and
how it was handled. The woman’s first inquiry was whether I was a Season
Pass holder or not, which is completely unwarranted. Never once was I
asked to present proper identification. Jeff even made mention that the
First Aid office is not conveniently located to the more intense ride
experiences in the park, giving rise to his delayed arrival time.
As I conveyed to you, other riders aboard my train,
including a group of rigorous, physically-fit Coast Guards sitting in
front of and behind us, and in line at the many attractions we partook of
afterwards, complained of the ‘black-out’ sensation. Be advised that I
am in excellent health with a clean medical history. One young Navy woman
was bleeding from her earring stem puncturing her neck.
While waiting to board the front seat of the Backlot
Stunt Coaster, a ride operator named TJ told myself and a woman I was
paired with that “there is an ambulance behind Intimidator” for
anticipated and expected circumstances.
I have since read the fine print Kings Dominion
includes as a part of their Park Guide and Map. It states:
“Many rides at Kings Dominion are dynamic and
thrilling. There are inherent risks in riding any amusement ride. For your
protection, each ride is rated for its special features, such as high
speed, steep drops, sharp turns, or other dynamic features. If you choose
to ride, you accept all of these risks.”
Under no circumstance should Kings Dominion be
permitted to operate Intimidator 305 in the capacity of which they
are, knowing that riders are being subject to excessive forces causing
injuries.
The weather conditions on Sunday, April 18th was a
sunny, cool, 64-degrees. When summer arrives, and the Virginia heat index
reaches its peak, the riders aboard Intimidator 305, many unfit,
and digesting unhealthy food and drink products, will, indeed, be subject
to the black-out. Some may not recover accordingly.
I will add that holding onto the black handles beside
the legs does not allow for support of the upper body, thereby causing
lateral damage to the upper torso and cranial areas.
Were it not for my knowledge and skills to
appropriately restore my muscle tissue, I would be subject to severe
damage. The Safety staff of Kings Dominion is inept in their ability to
immediately respond, too busy carting their soda bottles and clipboards.
There are a number of YouTube broadcasts showing media
personalities subject to the same battering on the exact turn I was
injured. Additionally, as you and I discussed, numerous Internet coaster
enthusiast message boards are already commenting with praise about the
black-out and “neck chopping”.
For Kings Dominion, its parent company, Cedar Fair, and
Intimidator 305’s manufacturer, Intamin, to knowingly operate Intimidator
305 with its “aggressive” nature is unacceptable.
It is my encouragement that your department seek
stricter inspection standards, and immediately close Intimidator 305
until Kings Dominion and Intamin are able to prove it to be safer, without
further damage to others.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey P. Stoneking,
Author
cc: Richard E. Bartell
Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II
Pat Jones
Dick Kinzel
Sandor Kernacs
Teresa Earnhardt
Edward J. Markey
Virginia Department of Health
Attn: Kim Hewitt
Dear Ms. Hewitt;
On April 18th, 2010, I was ordering food in Borders
Cafe at Kings
Dominion. There was a basket of BBQ sauce on the counter,
and I was making a selection for my chicken
tenders meal. There were two brands from which to choose,
and knowing the T. Marzetti one, I picked it up, and noticed the
expiration date of 1/17/2010.
I brought it to the attention of the worker, Karen, and
handed it to her to discard. She said, "My supervisors told
[us] not to throw them out, to put them out here to get rid of," and
she replaced it in the basket along with the other expired ones.
When I told her that's not how it should be, and how
dangerous doing so was, she merely smiled and giggled.
The unknown brand did not have a visible expiration
date. In addition to the ones I picked out for consumption, I
also included one of the expired ones.
After eating, I returned to the counter to take two
more. All three are included in the photo attached to this
e-mail.
Upon exiting the park, I spoke with an older gentleman
wearing a tie at the front gate. I pointed to the restaurant
facility, and told him of the circumstance. He then radio-ed
someone as I walked away.
I need not detail the health threats expired food
products poses upon an unsuspecting, trusting general public.
Kings Dominion knowingly and willfully threatened my health by
insisting that these items be distributed.
It is my encouragement that your department seek a
thorough investigation on all of Kings Dominion's food and beverage
locations to ensure that other innocent consumers, most of who do not
read labels, are not further threatened.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey P. Stoneking
cc: Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II
KINGS ISLAND, Kings
Island, OH
From the city of Mason council meeting, February 8,
2010
My name is Jeffrey P. Stoneking. I
provided my Ohio property address in an electronic submission via
your website; however, due to security measures stemming from
my
authoring a book entitled Theme
Park Safety Failure$, I would prefer to give my Michigan
residency.
Thank you for the opportunity to
present circumstances which I believe would defend council and the
passing of the proposed tax.
First off, the agreement to not
raise taxes with Kings Island was with their former parent company,
Paramount Parks, not Cedar Fair.
For the past 13 years, minimum,
Kings Island plays host to non-profit organizations by having
volunteers of 501-c3 groups staff their facility.
A Kings Island sales manager,
Linda Jensen, once stated that the "Fund Raiser" program,
as it is called, "Saves the park alot of money."
Volunteers staff the resale
outlets in the park, where incorrect change is often provided during
cash sales transactions. Hourly payroll employees are dismissed from
their
work shift so the busloads of
volunteers can fill their position.
Unskilled volunteers are not
adequately trained, and have been placed on ride platforms, posing a
safety threat to riders. When park visitors require directions or
assistance, self included, the common
response is, "I'm just a
volunteer." One even announced he was "working for
Jesus", referencing his church's involvement. There is no
responsibility when volunteering.
Be advised, also, that there are
no laws, whatsoever, governing the operation of theme parks. There
are only structural inspections by the Department of Agriculture,
who admits they know nothing
about
rollercoaster technology.
In essence, Kings Island is
utilizing these 501-c3's to cut operating costs, and avoid paying
taxes by "donating" to the non-profit groups. The city of
Mason is missing out,
all together, on being the
recipient of these tax-exempt funds.
Kings Island and their parent
company, Cedar Fair, also engage in Foreign Labor Contracts. It
should be questioned as to the amount of tax credit they receive for
doing so.
During my years with Kings Island
as an accountant, and later a concessionaire, Bard Reed, a
merchandise administrator, often stated, "Season Pass holders
don't spend any money."
Instead, they congregate in a
water park constructed beneath high-voltage, overhead power lines,
and line-up for an injuring battering ram known as Son Of Beast,
which is the cause of many civil
lawsuits for the past decade.
It is a well-known fact that court
operating costs are paid for with public dollars.
It should also be questioned as to
whether certain criminal activities requiring the dispatch of the
Mason City Police to Kings Island are caused by Season Pass
holders.
A particular riot incident once
made National News Headlines. With today's technology, it would be
Global Wildfire, much like the sleazy measure Kings Island officials
are
taking in an effort to oppose this
tax.
Even their so-called
"Tail-Gate Party" tonight, which in actuality is a
glorified title for a 'protest', complete with refreshments served
in the restaurant facility above the front gate,
is an expense that will result in
less tax payments to the city of Mason.
What these emotional protestors do
not realize is how taxation actually works. People, not businesses,
pay taxes. With the large amounts of expenses incurred by Kings
Island,
residents of the city of Mason, through income and property
taxes, are forced to make up the difference.
That being said, if these
protestors cannot afford the proposed 3% admission tax, which on a
$50 cover charge would amount to less than $1.50, then, clearly,
they should not
seek entertainment beyond the
confines of their homes.
When my organization was planning
an event with Kings Island in 1997, Linda Jensen was quick to inform
me, in writing, that a $16 admission charge for an attendance
figure
of less than 5,000 would cover the
park's operating costs and profit for our six-hour usage.
At the time, the non-discounted
front gate admission was $30.95. Again, our group was only required
to pay $16 per person. Do the math.
What I have presented for you is
documented, undisputed truths about this facility and their
operation.
My encouragement is for the city
of Mason to pass this tax to provide the necessary measures to
ensure a safer environment than what Kings Island officials permit
to exist
upon their property.
Thank you.
Adventure Express, October 2,
2009
This platform worker would not put down his steaming
styrofoam cup while checking restraints, nor would his fellow co-worker at
the console.
The threat of having hot fluids dumped on riders, or
into the operating console, is a thoughtless act, and one whose
repercussions are discussed in Theme
Park Safety Failure$.
Photo by S. Hurley
The Racer, October 24th, 2008
Around 8:15pm, this control panel operator, with loaded trains in
motion, enjoys stuffing his face with a double cheeseburger, french fries,
and a bottle of Mountain Dew. The bottle tipped over between the
panel and the monitor. Thankfully it was capped.
When I contacted the park to report it, I was told by the operator,
"We are not allowed to transfer any calls to the executive
offices."
On
Wednesday, September 16, 2009, a man and a boy are aboard this
cable-launched ride, with accelerating speeds of 0-70mph in 2.5 seconds. During the take-off, the cable snapped,
showering them with metal shards. The loss of momentum prohibited
the train from making it over the summit, sending it backwards.
Something, likely the cable, caused the boy's seat to wedge loose, jarring
him into the restraint.
A
similar incident occurred on Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster in
2004. That incident and its multiple injuries is detailed and
documented in Theme
Park Safety Failure$.
LUNA PARK, Coney Island,
NY
March 1, 2010
Dear Mayor Bloomberg;
Given my direct relation to Frederic
Thompson, himself, I am elated to learn of Coney Island’s Luna Park being
revamped. It is, however, disheartening that Zamperla Rides is the driving
force for the project.
At the beginning of the past decade, I
met with Zamperla Rides representative, Mark Rosenzweig, for a project I
was directly involved. Rosenzweig kept stating that his superiors,
including Alberto Zamperla, repeatedly told him to “be careful working
with those Native Americans. They have a different way of conducting
themselves.”
Whenever I asked him to explain what was
meant by such a racist remark, he could never respond directly. I
eventually spoke with Alberto Zamperla who seemed surprised to learn of
Mark’s comments, indicating that everyone at Zamperla “is a minority”.
During that same conversation with Mr.
Zamperla, he briefly mentioned their work with the Native American people
in Cherokee, North Carolina. Just before ending the call, he stated, “I
apologize if we offended you.”
I brought the matter to the attention of
the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
president, Bret Lovejoy. The following week he resigned without a word.
It is unfortunate that Zamperla Rides
exhibits such racism in an industry meant to include all.
Be advised that this is who is
representing this long overdue renovation. The Native American group in
Cherokee have yet to receive a formal apology.
While I wish all involved parties well,
I would encourage you to be certain that no one is affected further by the
lingering ugliness Zamperla Rides deems acceptable and ethical.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey P. Stoneking
MICHIGAN'S ADVENTURE,
Muskegon, MI
Shivering Timbers
Mr. Mark Doman
Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth
Commercial Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
July 13, 2009
Dear Mr. Doman;
On Friday, July 3rd, 2009, I visited Michigan's
Adventure. Around 5:15pm I was riding the second-to-last seat
aboard Shivering Timbers. On the base of the second drop
the lap bar shoved hard against the lower portion of my left rib cage.
At the same time, a woman behind me, on the right side of the train, was
heard saying to her very young son, "You hit your head!
Are you alright?"
The rest of the ride circuit was spent protecting
my ribs from any additional areas with a grip across the lap bar.
When our train stopped on the final brake, I
turned and saw the mother holding her son. He was extremely pale
and silent.
As the train approached the station and during
disembarking, I insisted that the mother tell the ride attendant, Cody,
about her son's misfortune. I initially commented to him about my
rib, also stating that the ride was extremely painful and
rough, then introduced the woman and her son. While she was
telling him about it, Cody brushed her aside, motioning for her along
with her son, myself, and my ride partner off the platform, then closed
the gate behind us without a word.
Under no circumstance should an incident of this
nature be disregarded by anyone, particularly one who is responsible for
rider safety.
I am well aware that there remains no laws
at the state or federal levels governing the operation of amusement
rides at either travelling or fixed sites. Given the lackadaisical
response to injuries by the said staff member of Michigan's Adventure, I
would not be surprised to learn that this particular incident is not the
first, nor will it be the last. My regret is not investing in the
on-ride photograph shoving myself gripping my rib, and the mother
protecting her son as best as possible.
If the state of Michigan's ride inspection is merely
to oversee structural integrity, then I suggest you and members of your
staff ride Shivering Timbers to discover first hand how
turbulent, brutal, and painful the ride experience truly is.
My additional encouragement is that your
department seek additional inspection on Shivering Timbers during
this operating season.
Should you require any additional comments, please
do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey P. Stoneking
P.O. Box 81741
Rochester, MI 48308
937-291-9972
***NOTE: As of September 21, 2009,
no response has been received by either Mr. Doman or Michigan's
Adventure's General Manager, Camille Jourden-Mark.
Both Mr. Doman and Ms. Jourden-Mark were
phoned on September 21, 2009. Mr. Doman phoned, indicating he
never received the correspondence. It has been re-sent.
September 21, 2009
Mr.
Stoneking,
I
appreciate your interest and concern and apologize for not responding
until now. Your e-mail address for me seems correct, but I have no record
of having received your earlier message. I learned of your letter the
morning after you wrote it, but that came from a call from Michigan’s
Adventure who had received a carbon copy of it. I did a little research
and found your letter on the internet and thought I should visit
Michigan’s Adventure and see the Shivering Timbers ride for myself. I
was there within three hours or learning of your letter. Since I expected
to receive your letter from you, I didn’t respond to what I had only
seen on the internet.
Before
I go further, I should say that I don’t generally like wood roller
coasters because they all tend to be rough. My attitude probably comes
from my time with builders of steel coasters like the Michigan’s
Adventure “Corkscrew”. Wood doesn’t bend the way steel does and it
swells and shrinks with weather and time. Generally though, I have found
the Shivering Timbers to be less rough than most wood roller coasters. I
rode it on the 14th with Michigan’s Adventure’s general manager and
rode it where it seemed you had ridden, in the middle of the last car of
the train. I found it to be rougher than I like, but I find all wood
roller coasters to be rough. I did not find it to be dangerous. That said,
with the nature of wood, it could have been rougher when you rode it.
The
State of Michigan inspects Michigan’s Adventures rides as we do the
rides of other ride operators, but we generally we inspect them only once
a year unless something special comes up, such as your letter. Ride
operators like Michigan’s Adventure, inspect their rides daily and
periodically as their manufacturers require. The Shivering Timbers gets a
daily track walk by two Michigan’s Adventure inspectors and third-party
testing semi-annually. All of us strive to make it as safe and enjoyable
as possible.
Please
continue to make us aware of your concerns in the future.
Mark
Doman
Michigan
Ski/Amusement Safety
517
241 6634
Mr. Mark Doman
Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth
Commercial Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
March 2, 2010
Dear Mr. Doman;
Your September reply to my complaint
regarding Shivering Timbers at Michigan's Adventure failed to
address a vital issue.
While you are quick to announce your
personal opinion of wood rollercoasters vs. steel, the fact remains that
the operating staff chose to ignore my bruised diaphragm, and the
attending parent to her son’s battering. That is unacceptable conduct.
Another park in the Cedar Fair chain,
Kings Island, had an incident on July 9, 2006 aboard their wooden
installation, Son Of Beast. A portion of the structure collapsed
creating what the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s inspection report
terms a “pothole effect”. Riders were jarred with 10g’s of force,
resulting in spinal and neck complications and bleeding from the mouths of
riders, while one woman suffered a cracked sternum. A recent court hearing
in October, 2009 involved another woman with pelvic complications as a
result.
The circumstances of which myself,
companion, and aforementioned mother and son were subject could have very
easily been a similar structure collapse. With workers caring only about
filling another train and dispatching it is a neglect of safety
precaution, altogether.
I encourage your department to seek
stricter laws and regulations governing the operation of rides in your
state.
Your personal taste is irrelevant to the
brutal forces Shivering Timbers inflicts upon its innocent riders.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey P. Stoneking
SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM,
Vallejo, CA
This children's ride worker's hand remains on the
operating console, but his attention is inevitably diverted elsewhere.
Not too surprising, the day after this
post appeared, Six Flags Over Georgia was flooded.
WALT
DISNEY WORLD,
Lake Buena Visa, FL
Monorail Crash;
July 5th, 2009
While the investigation continues as
to why the two monorails collided, killing the 21-year old operator, this
YouTube footage should provide a clearer insight to the horrendous
accident, along with the Cast Member insisting that there be no filming.
