12-year-old Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale died when he fell off Paramount's Great America Drop Zone Stunt Tower in Santa Clara. Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale fell from his seat on the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara while his mother watched from the ground. Rules and regulations of Hi-Speed Race Karts states that all riders must be at least 5-feet tall, all riders must sign a release, and only one rider be allowed in a co-kart at a time. The friend, Jay Lingenfelter, 35, also said the accident seemed to occur when the ride's magnetic breaking system engaged more than halfway down the tower. On a Sunday afternoon in August two years ago, Joshua, his mother, Tami, two other friends and two children headed to the park. On Sunday, April 20, 1997 at Bell's Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma a 14-year-old boy was killed on the roller coaster The Wildcat. " said Winslow, a 30-year-old waiter. In the 2 1/2 years before a woman fell to her death from the Perilous Plunge water attraction at Knotts Berry Farm last month, at least two other people fell out of rides made by the same manufacturer, according to lawsuits and investigation reports. Also located in Cedar Point is the ride Skyhawk. Company officials blame rider and operator error. William Haithcoat and Darrell Robertson were both 20 years-old when they died tragically in the water. A 523 error means that Cloudflare could not reach your host web server. Park spokeswoman Betsy Moss confirmed the fatality, which happened about 8:40 p.m., and said an investigation was under way. Homelessness remains a core focus of his, close to his heart as a journalist who cares passionately about the human condition. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Michael Dwaileebe, 37, of Olean, N.Y., suffered rib fractures and internal injuries when he fell about eight feet from the ride, which was equipped with T-shaped lap bars but no seat belts. ", He said nothing has changed since his son died on March 24, and he worries about the safety of others. CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat" Boy fell from car at height of 50 to 100 feet. Lassiter was rushed to the hospital where doctors reattached her right foot. Park spokesman Timothy Chanaud described the boy as "severely disabled, both mentally and physically," but said the disabilities should not have prevented him from riding safely. Even though the seat-belt failed to keep the boy safely in his seat, an investigation deemed that the death was accidental. Rosa Ayala-Goana Esparza was 52-years-old the day that she tragically died on the roller coaster called "The Texas Giant" at Six Flags. Both of the women died from extensive blunt-trauma injuries. Mother of 2 children!!! Directly following the accident, the ride was shut down for an investigation. There is no need for an extra safety or seat belt". My sister and I ran right over to him, but it was obvious he was dead," he said. Unfortunately, on August 23, 1999, a 12-year-old boy from Sunnyvale, California, named Joshua Smurphat slipped out of the ride's safety harness and fell 207 feet. These arent the memories you think youll walk away with," OLeary said of the tragedies. Witnesses to a boy's fatal fall at Paramount's Great America amusement park said they believe the harness holding the 12-year- old popped open mid-ride, but investigators said yesterday it's too early to say what caused the tragedy. Following an autopsy report it was revealed that she suffered from a fatal brain aneurysm while on the ride. At approximately 3:20 p.m. Joshua Smurphat, 12, of Sunnyvale, mysteriously fell out of his seat after the four-passenger car began its decent down the 200-foot plus tower. Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat, told television station KTVU she was still reeling from the horror of having witnessed her son's death. It was August 1999 when OLeary lost her little brother. He said if Orlando is worried about tourism, they should take the ride down, instead of trying to keep it up with safety changes. An investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture blamed flawed design. They also want ride operators to be over 18 and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. "I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die," said Tami Smurphat. Once the Mason-Larez accident investigation is completed by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Falfas said, he will consider taking action--including posting weight warnings--if it helps prevent future injuries. Witnesses claimed to have seen the woman have a seizure at the end of the ride. The family feels Joshuas accident is similar to what happened to 14-year-old Tyre Sampson in Orlando. Ms. Bailey and her daughter were taken to Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point where they were given an autopsy. Ari Emanuel lets his AI alter ego open Endeavors earnings call, Sam Bankman-Fried increasingly isolated as another associate takes a plea deal, Column: Uber and Lyfts deactivation policy is dehumanizing and unfair. Based on the report, the Santa Clara County district attorney's office found that there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges against anyone involved. 1999812 Joshua Smurphat Drop Zone Stunt Tower 20077124 Carlos Alexnoro FloresGreat Barrier Reef [ ] Kevin Fagan is a longtime, award-winning reporter at The San Francisco Chronicle, specializing in homelessness, enterprise news-feature writing, breaking news and crime. Timothy Chanaud, a Great America spokesman, said yesterday that he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit, although the park's attorneys have been meeting with the family's lawyers. Morec said the Police Department may hire an independent consultant to determine how the child could have fallen. Whether this means riding the tallest and most intimidating roller coaster, lounging in the water park, or whirling and spinning until you hurl, most amusement parks are packed full of rides for all ages, ready to take you on the ride of your lifetime. And they have to plan for it, said David A. Many passengers were thrown from the train, others managed to hold on. Although most of these horrific amusement park accidents involve incidents where people are thrown unwilling from a passenger car, sometimes the person is still on the ride when it pulls back into the station. Park officials would not comment on the lawsuit. The ride has since been shut down. Once reaching a height of 207 feet, the passenger car takes a 129-foot free fall. Skyhawk is the world's tallest "Screamin' Swing" at 125-feet and moving as fast as 60mph. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Joshua Smurphat, who fatally fell from a ride in 1999, is remembered by his family who are pushing for stricter safety measures after a similar death, Smurphat fell from a drop ride, similar to the one 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was killed on in 2022, 'I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die,' said Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat, Mom recalls gut-wrenching moment her 12-year-old sons body landed feet from her after 100ft fall from amusement ride, Bizarre 'reason' for Walmart's anti-theft devices on energy drinks and why they 'won't make much difference', Widower, 91, killed in devastating house explosion after making mistake while building worktop, Inside 'cop informant' Jorge Ramirez's death in a police shootout and how it 'exposed Bakersfield force corruption', Im an ex Ryanair air hostess & I flashed a pilot mid-flight - there were some wild stories onboard, Chilling map shows site where two missing teen girls, 15 and 17, were found dead as eerie position of bodies revealed, Join Britain's biggest volunteering scheme on the King's Coronation day, urges head Scout Bear Grylls. I dream about that scene. THE family of a boy who tragically fell to his death on a drop ride 24 years ago in California has called for stricter safety measures to be implemented following a recent death of a teenager in Or Dodge, a Maine-based independent safety consultant and former amusement-ride accident investigator. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We miss you, honey.". They also will examine the ride equipment and try to determine if anyone wanted to hurt Joshua, who was mentally and physically disabled. In May 1999 a similar accident occurred on Superman: Ride of Steel, an Intamin roller coaster at Six Flags Darien Lakes in New York. }, First published on August 23, 1999 / 2:55 PM. Joshua Smurphat died at 3:20 p.m. on Sunday at Paramount's Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara, California, according to park spokesman Timothy Chanaud. The ride is designed for passengers to enjoy a seven-story free fall as the trains are sent down the track one after the other. Owner double checked all the lifts. "We've been bombarded by calls and have nothing to say now.". In April 2000, Ventures was fined $145,000 for the violations connected to Charron's death. [Mason-Larez] was under high risk, and she didnt know it.. Officials at the park, which is located about 20 miles north of Richmond, released few details about the incident. It takes you back to those moments when you find out that your loved one has passed in this way," Smurphat's sister, Alicia OLeary, told Fox 35. Joshua Lee Smurphat Born 26 Jul 1987 in Santa Clara, California Ancestors Son of Terry Lee Smurphat and [private mother (1960s - unknown)] [sibling (s) unknown] [spouse (s) unknown] [children unknown] Died 22 Aug 1999 at age 12 in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, California, USA Profile manager: Cheryl Richardson [ send private message ] "Theres no memorial out there for him stating that he passed away. People flock to these theme parks because they want to experience something extreme, but also something safe. "It appears on first blush to be an accidental death," said Santa Clara police Sgt. This is a carousel. It took firefighters nearly an hour to locate her body and it wasn't until a helicopter flew over the huge wooden roller coaster that her body was discovered. Joshua Smurphat fell from the Drop Zone ride at Paramount's Great. A disabled 12-year-old boy died after plummeting from an amusement park ride that was about to be shut down for a safety check. "At the end of the day these are manufacturer-based decisions," said Brian Avery, an amusement ride safety expert, when asked about adding a secondary belt. ORLANDO, Fla. - Tyre Sampson would have turned 15 years old on Wednesday. . In two of the cases, the riders weighed about 300 pounds or more. According to the friends who witnessed the traumatic experience, the story goes that Ryan's lap bar malfunctioned during a sharp turn on the roller coaster and this caused her to be thrown from the ride. Is it true that the Tower of Terror has fallen? That would have prevented my brothers death," OLeary told FOX 35. But Sampson isnt feeling really happy, as he stands outside the attraction on International Drive. Following the incident park officials closed off a section of the park including several other major attractions. The Cedar Points PR Manager Bryan Edwards made a statement that the woman who suffered head injuries was only taken to the hospital "as a precaution" and failed to mention the seriousness of the injury. THE DISAPPEARANCE of 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari remains an unsolved mystery 70 days after she vanished from her home in Cornelius, North Carolina. His name was Tyre Sampson, which was my son, my only child.". An article in the LA Times states that the boy had traveled to the park with a church group and acted alone in the tragic accident. He is seeking $15 million in punitive damages, funeral expenses and attorney fees. Gary Winslow, who was waiting in line for the ride when Joshua died, told SFGate in 1999 he "saw the bar fly up after the ride started braking to stop.". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam, ChatGPT who? Born in 26 Jul 1987 and died in 22 Aug 1999 Santa Clara, California Joshua Lee Smurphat Report Tami Smurphat with a photo of son Joshua, who died on a free-fall amusement park ride. That would have prevented my brothers death," she said. The ride was operating as normal until a cable snapped and gruesomely severed the legs of a 13-year-old named Kaitlyn Lasitter, cutting off her feet at the ankles. She left The Times in November 2021. A family friend who was present at the time of Joshua's death said that the accident seemed to occur when the ride's magnetic breaking system engaged more than halfway down the tower. ", He said he will do everything he can to fight to get the Orlando FreeFall shut down and removed from ICON Park. "I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die," said Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat. Kernacs said Mason-Larez--who weighed 292 pounds and had a girth of 56 inches, according to a coroners report--should not have been allowed on the ride by operators. His family is calling for a simple safety measure that they say may have prevented his death, and the death of a teen in Orlando. The family says 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat was on a drop ride at a California amusement park when slipped out of his seat and fell to his death. Douglas Smith, an associate professor of neurosurgery explains that when the head moves that quickly on a roller coaster, the brain is also moving or "deforming" inside the skull, and if this occurs too quickly it is possible to suffer serious brain injuries. For the 4-year-olds, the 5-year-olds and the 300-pound women, for the people at the edges, the risk rises considerably. #inline-recirc-item--id-91e18158-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91e18158-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Both the company and the park have denied responsibility. "A secondary safety system will hopefully prevent a death. The accident killed 13-year-old Kyle Foss and left eight other passengers seriously injured. "Maybe cause its a color issue, thats why the thing is getting dragged around so slowly. A Long Island man died Monday night in an apparent accident on a stand-up roller coaster, a day after a 12-year-old disabled boy died on an amusement park ride in California. "He played in a special Little League team for disabled children.". The ride features a 22-story free fall. "I personally feel like that is something that every free-fall ride should have. OLeary says in both cases, the boys were strapped in only with a shoulder harness no additional belt. Joshua (left), on a safer merry-go-round. Utterly Moderate. OLeary believes that the recent death in Orlando could have been prevented if a belt was used in addition to the shoulder harness. A separate Cal-OSHA investigation has not been completed. Smurphat was born in the year '87. A New York man died in an apparent accident on a roller coaster in which riders stand through several loops that turn them upside down. In the third accident, Joshua Smurphat, a mentally disabled 12-year-old, died in August 1999 in a fall from the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara,. Please contact your hosting provider to confirm your origin IP and then make sure the correct IP is listed for your A record in your Cloudflare DNS Settings page. Jay Lingenfelter, a family friend who was seated next to Joshua, said the safety harness was not checked before the ride began and he heard a sound like when the harness snaps open just before the boy fell. Although the pond was roped off, there were no signs that the water itself was dangerous. Her family sued Six Flags as they were to blame for the ride malfunctioning, as well as a slow response time on behalf of the person operating the ride. One manager said he found it hard to believe that the safety harness could pop open, regardless of what people may have thought they saw. Park officials declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit but made the safety changes before reopening the ride. I will never get that sound out of my head Thrill Ride Harness Opened In Fatal Fall, Witnesses Say / Sunnyvale boy dies in plunge at Great America, Thrill Ride Death Probe Expected to End Soon, 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale died when he fell off Paramount's Great America Drop Zone Stunt Tower in Santa Clara. Dwaileebe, who weighed more than 300 pounds, came out of that ride like a cork out of a champagne bottle, said his attorney, Francis M. Letro, who has filed a $5-million lawsuit against Intamin and Six Flags. The first accident happened on the ride Flight Commander where a 32 year-old woman named Candy Taylor fell out of the ride after passing out and slipping through her restraints. The Grizzly, a roller coaster near Great America's Drop Zone, also was shut down yesterday to give investigators better access to the Drop Zone, but other than that, rides ran as usual, said park spokesman Timothy Chanaud. "Maybe cause it's a color issue, that's why the. She also claims that the park disregarded a March 1996 recommendation from the Santa Clara Fire Department, which called for the installation of a safety strap between the ride's seat and the harness. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { The investigation of the accident, which left 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat dead, yielded no explanation of how the accident happened. Santa Clara, CA -- A 12-year old boy fell to his death Sunday afternoon while riding the Drop Zone freefall thrill ride at Paramount's Great America. Officials claim that the boy jumped two separate safety fences in an attempt to find a lost hat when he was struck and killed. In light of the most recent death, that of a 40-year-old Duarte woman on Sept. 21 at Knotts Berry Farm, lawyers and safety advocates believe both manufacturers and amusement parks need to take a closer look at establishing weight limits for their rides or warning heavy patrons that they might be at risk. The park remained open following the horrific accident, park officials claiming they did not want to start a panic by announcing what had happened. display: none; In Kings Mills, Ohio, the Paramount's Kings Island amusement park closed two rides similar to the ones involved in the fatal accidents at two other Paramount parks, a spokesman said. And I love my son unconditionally.". But Kernacs said there is a general warning in the manufacturers manual that only people who can be safely restrained should get on the ride. However, Ryan's mother Leah Bergonozi believes to this day that the seat-belt failed on the ride and killed her daughter. AP Photo/family photo, Tami Smurphat, the victim's mother. Their suit alleges that the ride is defective and that no warnings were given. Sure, they throw around statistics claiming that only one in 24 million people are at risk of being injured on a ride, while the odds are a staggering one in 750 million to be killed on a ride. Unfortunately, her left foot was unable to be saved and was eventually amputated. Witnesses claimed to see the boy exit the ride, which was done easily since there were no seat-belts or restraining devices at all on the ride. "Its business as usual for them. Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara quickly hired a consulting firm, Exponent Inc. in Menlo Park, to help determine how Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale, a mentally disabled 12-year-old . New York state inspectors from the Division of Safety and Health ordered the park to restrict the size of passengers allowed on that ride and to add seat belts as a second form of restraint. In July 2001, at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach in Lancashire, England, an 11-year-old boy named Christopher Sharratt was killed after falling out of the "Space Invader" ride. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. In the third case, a 12-year-old mentally and physically disabled boy died after slipping from a roller-coaster car that free-falls 22 stories. The boy was not riding the Batman roller coaster at the time of his death; he was instead struck by the coaster after he entered the restricted zone of the ride. Apparently (and obviously), the fault lies with the operator. This incident is just one of many that have happened at one of the Cedar Fair Amusement Parks across the US. Local police and park investigators are trying to determine how the boy could have come out of his restraint. But I feel like it's time for them to somehow pay for what they did to my child. Six others were taken to St. Francis Hospital and treated for serious injuries. The ride, which opened December 2021, is billed as the worlds tallest freestanding drop tower, standing at 430 feet and can accommodate 30 riders at full capacity. 26/02/2023 | pictures of richard thomas triplets today | borax for chipmunks | pictures of richard thomas triplets today | borax for chipmunks Just before the fatal ride, a computer that helps operate the Drop Zone displayed an error message, forcing park officials to close one of the ride's cars. The girl was crushed between her mother and the steering wheel in the accident. A huge blue ribbon was wrapped around the bouquet, with these gold letters written on it: "Josh, you are so beautiful to me. Kimberly Bailey and her daughter Jessica were enjoying a family outing at the New Jersey amusement park in Ocean City when tragedy struck. It might end up, wind up injuring an individual if they have to use it, and it winds up catching them if you will, in the event that the primary fails but it should keep them contained," Avery explained. However, prior to this accident the ride had no height restrictions and therefore Patrick and his family believed that they would be safe on the ride. Another boy slipped out of his seat on a drop ride and fell to his death 23 years ago in California. Having witnessed the young boys death, the women claim that the ride decapitated him and he was dead by the time he got to the bottom of the slide. The ride has both seat belts and T-shaped lap bars, and both of Mason-Larezs were found in the locked position after the fall, said Knotts General Manager Jack Falfas. I dont got that, but what I do got, is a heart of a lion. August 23, 1999 / 2:55 PM Both equipment malfunctions remain unexplained by park officials. - Trevor Arnold, GrayRobinson P.A., attorney for Orlando Slingshot. In the third accident, Joshua Smurphat, a mentally disabled 12-year-old, died in August 1999 in a fall from the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramounts Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, Calif. She was taken to Lake Medical Center where she later died from internal injuries suffered from a crushed pelvis. Paramount runs rides similar to Drop Zone at its parks in Ohio, North Carolina, and Canada, and all three were shut down yesterday awaiting the results of the California investigation, company representatives said. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. While riding the roller coaster Wild Wonder, the car climbing to the top of the first drop lost its traction and came hurtling backward. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 147.135.45.126 A representative from the Health and Safety Executive suggested that Christopher did not remain seated correctly and this led to his ejection from the ride. After the meeting, nobody was ready to give any preliminary findings. The lady was allowed to ride the ride by the instructions that we were given by the manufacturer, Falfas said. What's New "His mother came over in hysterics and kept yelling, 'Why didn't they put the bar down? It was discovered that Hackemer was not thrown out of the ride until the last hill, its peak reaching 208 feet. But according to Tami Smurphat's complaint, Great America knew the Drop Zone posed a risk to patrons. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills at least 36, injures some 85, Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, House select committee hearing paints China as a strategic antagonist, JetBlue flight forced to abort landing in close call at Logan Airport, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Bald eagle couple lays new egg after losing eaglets two years in a row. Officials at Cedar Point obviously closed the ride and began investigating what could have gone wrong and although there were lap bars in place and all safety precautions were allegedly taken, they later found out that Patrick was too short to be riding Cedar Creek Mine Ride altogether. Examiner Photo by Craig Lee, The Drop Zone tower ride is seen at night at the Great America Amusement Park. "When the braking system started, I heard something," he told the San Francisco Examiner. In documents released by the state, the general manager of Funtime, the manufacturer of the Orlando Freefall ride writes about seat and shoulder restraint. On Saturday, May 31, 2003 tragedy struck at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana after a woman fell to her death from a roller coaster. On Sept. 21, Lori Mason-Larez was riding Perilous Plunge, billed as the worlds steepest and highest flume water ride, with a 115-foot drop at speeds of up to 50 mph, when she fell to her death. I can't conclusively say it's not criminal, but right now it appears to be an unfortunate accident.". There have been other deadly accidents in the park since Michael's tragedy in 1989, including the following accident that left a mentally disabled boy dead on scene. The other boy apparently jumped to safety on an emergency platform. I knelt down right there and said a prayer.". Then the U.S. government blindsided it, Dilbert and Scott Adams rapid downfall doesnt surprise anyone who followed both. Failure Analysis is the only organization other than the park itself that regularly checks the rides -- but that may change under legislation passed by a state Senate committee yesterday. Falfas defended Knotts and his employees, saying they followed all the rules. "It freaked me out. "You don't go to an amusement park and leave without your child. AP Photo by Paul Sakuma, View of Paramount's Great America Drop Zone Stunt Tower ride in Santa Anyone wanted to hurt Joshua, who was mentally and physically disabled as journalist., nobody was ready to give any preliminary findings seat on a Drop ride killed... Also want ride operators to be over 18 and undergo regular drug alcohol. 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