Shot In The Dark: Mitch: Right Again

May 21, 2006

Mitch: Right Again

Roller Coaster attacks its riders at Valleyfair, damn near killing a car full of them:

The officials said the accident on the Wild Thing happened at about 4:25 p.m. when the rear car separated from a train at the slowdown before entering the ride station.

The Wild Thing reaches speeds of up to 74 mph, but it would have been braking and going much slower at that point, said park spokesman Bill Von Bank.

One witness described hearing a "screeching noise" followed by a lot of screaming, according to KSTP-TV.

Sources say the thing squealed like an anti-smoking activist.

I have always hated rollercoasters. Yet again, I was right.

Yuck.

Posted by Mitch at May 21, 2006 08:26 PM | TrackBack

Comments

In Ohio, they have a state government agency whose sole mission is to inspect roller coasters for safety.

Oops...

I should not have mentioned that. Within ten minutes after reading this, your usual cast of DFL suspects will be holding a press conference at the State Capitol calling for a new agency to inspect roller coasters. More bureaurcats!, we say.

Jack (loves a good roller coaster) Bauer

Posted by: Jack Bauer at May 22, 2006 09:23 AM

Valley Fair is run by the same company that runs Cedar Point in Ohio. Given that, you know that their safety record is one of the best (because of what the previous commentor said).

If it had to happen I would rather it have happened yesterday. My child's school is there today for a graduation trip.

Posted by: The Lady Logician at May 22, 2006 10:41 AM

You don't like roller coasters, Mitch?!? Oh my goodness; as I kid, I lived at Riverview. (Chicago's first half of last century's version of Valley Fair.)

Just goes to show you that no one is ever perfect.... the fatal "disliking coaster" flaw!

Posted by: Peg at May 22, 2006 03:36 PM