Sad news from Walt Disney World today: A 52-year-old working on the Primeval Whirl attraction at the Animal Kingdom theme park was seriously injured in a construction-related accident.
The worker, Russ Roscoe, reportedly suffered head injuries and was flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he later died.
Walt Disney World released the following statement:
“Our Walt Disney World community has experienced a tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Russ Roscoe’s family and we are working to assist them during this difficult time; our thoughts and our prayers are with them. Our thoughts are also with Russ’ fellow cast members and the first responders who came to his aid. We deeply appreciate all their efforts. There is no higher priority than the safety of our cast and our guests, and we will work with authorities to thoroughly review every aspect of this incident.”
CFNews13.com said the attraction was not in operation at the time, and is currently shut down for refurb.
OSHA is investigating the accident.
This is the second fatal accident linked to this attraction.
On November 29, 2007, a Disney employee died five days after falling from the Primeval Whirl ride platform.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Karen Price, 63, was working on an elevated rider-loading platform when she was struck by one of the roller coaster vehicles. She died five days later. After Price’s death, Disney renovated the Primeval Whirl ride and installed sensors to prevent a similar accident from happening in the same area of the ride.
In 2008, federal investigators faulted Disney for five safety violations and fined the company $21,000 for the accident that caused Price’s death.
Discussion
I really think they should do away with the ride all together. It’s not that great, looks out of place and just reminds me of a carnival ride. Totally not Disney quality.
They should do away with the ride because it has proven that it is unsafe for the cm’s. Second one to die in just a few years. However, it says “construction related” so it could be that it had nothing to do with the ride itself now that I think about it.
@Julie – it is supposed to look like that! Hester & Chester, the people who owned the land where the dig is happening, decided to cash in on all of the new interest and population that came with the scientific research team studying the prehistoric fossils so they opened the carnival as a way to support themselves… It’s all part of the story!!
How awful! They really should do away with the ride. While they’re at it, they should get rid of Chester and Hester all together. It’s by far the worst thing in WDW and exactly what Walt hated. He vowed never to create just another carnival and here we are with just that.
My condolences are with his family and fellow cm’s
I feel bad for the families of the people that get hurt or killed on these rides, but if we do away with a ride every time something happens eventually there will be nothing left.
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