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http://www.coasterbuzz.com/2003-160-238419.htm
Investigator concludes rider was at fault in Holiday World accident
onday, June 09, 2003 8:40 AM ET | contributed by redman822
Ride consultant Anthony J. Rossi from Leisure Tech Services said in
a letter to Holiday World president Will Kock Friday that the
accident on the park's Raven that killed Tamar Fellner was most
likely the result of rider misbehaviour. His report concludes
that the lap bar or seat belt would be adequate to restrain a rider
if properly seated. The report also says the victim's seat belt had
been unbuckled and tucked in the seat cushions. Rossi says that Fellner
placed her body "in a position that the ride was not designed to carry
human passengers."
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/89436p-81359c.html
Victim opened belt,
stood on coaster
By AUSTIN FENNER and BILL HUTCHINSON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
The Manhattan woman thrown to her death from an Indiana roller
coaster had unbuckled her seat belt and was "virtually standing up"
as the thrill ride careened along at 60 mph, authorities said yesterday.
The stunning revelation came as 1,500 relatives and friends attended
funeral services for Tamar Fellner, 32, who had earned a Harvard M.B.A.
Spencer County Prosecutor Jon Dartt said witnesses at the Holiday
World & Splashin' Safari park saw Fellner unlatch her seat belt and
get up in a bid to get what roller-coaster enthusiasts call air time.
She made the fatal mistake of trying the daredevil move Saturday
night on The Raven - one of the world's most terrifying roller coasters, he said.
Fellner, who weighed 100 pounds, was ejected from the car she shared
with her fiancé, Robert Weitzner, and plunged 69 feet to her death.
"Witnesses state that near the time of the accident, an individual
matching the description of Ms. Fellner was seen in the last car of
the roller coaster virtually standing up while the ride was in progress,"
said Dartt, adding that he was awaiting the results of toxicology tests.
Fellner was a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, a group of thrill
seekers who met over the weekend at the park for the annual Stark Raven Mad Event.
Safety warning
Holiday World spokeswoman Paula Werne said the group had been
warned not to tamper with the safety equipment during the 100-second ride.
At a welcoming ceremony the night before the accident, Werne went over
the rules, she said.
"I specifically said, 'Leave your seat belt buckled; don't mess with our
safety equipment. We're here to have fun,'" Werne told the Daily News yesterday.
"We said it, we put it in writing. But yet what you prayed not to happen,
unfortunately happened."
Sean Flaharty, a spokesman for American Coaster Enthusiasts, said he was
shocked that someone in his group would be so careless. "In my opinion,
the ride is thrilling enough," said Flaharty, who rode The Raven moments
before the accident.
As The Raven remained shut yesterday, 1,500 people filled Temple Beth
Shalom in Livingston, N.J., for Fellner's funeral.
"She was spirited and intelligent," said Arianna Patterson, a member
of the temple where Felner's father, Azriel Fellner, is the rabbi. "
She was always trying to better herself and help people. Her death
makes no sense."
With Chelsea Phua
Originally published on June 4, 2003
Submitted on 08/05/2003
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
see links below 05/31/2003
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