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No Criminal Charges Filed In York Fair Death
POSTED: 11:56 a.m. EDT October 18, 2001
UPDATED: 12:01 p.m. EDT October 18, 2001
YORK -- Ruling the death an accident, no criminal charges will be filed in the roller coaster death of a 7-year-old boy at the York Fair last month, although that ride remains shut down statewide.
Matthew Potter died Sept. 10, just hours after the ride he was on came to an abrupt stop, throwing him against an unpadded car and causing internal injuries.
County, state, and West Manchester Township authorities investigated the incident.
Ride operators were not engaged in "gross negligence" that would have caused a death, York County District Attorney Stan Rebert said.
Negligence must rise to gross or reckless conduct to warrant criminal charges, Rebert said.
Still, the Flitzer ride, on which Potter died, remains shut down in Pennsylvania, Rebert said.
A wrongful death suit brought by the boy's father, Kenneth A. Potter Jr., is pending against Reithoffer Shows Inc. of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Reithoffer Shows manager Rick Reithoffer could not be reached for comment.
Previous Story:
September 11, 2001: York Fair Accident Kills Boy
Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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York Fair Accident Kills Boy
YORK, 10:55 a.m. EDT September 11, 2001 -- A young boy is dead after an accident on a ride at the York Fair Monday evening.
Gene Shenk, York Fair spokesman, said that it happened on a ride called the Flitzer. He said that it appears that the brake on the roller coaster-like ride stopped the car abruptly, causing internal injuries to the boy.
"The car, when it comes to the end, is supposed to stop gradually, and it stopped abruptly, abruptly enough to throw a young boy forward, and he hit something inside the car," Schenk said.
The boy died later Monday in the operating room at York Hospital.
The ride is located at the northern end of the fair's midway, near the Highland Avenue gate.
Rides at the fair are inspected when they are set up and then inspected again daily, according to Shenk.
Shenk said that the ride is closed pending investigation.
An autopsy is set for Wednesday.
Stay tuned to News 8 for the latest.
Copyright 2001 by TheWGALChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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"RIDE FOR RELIEF" PROCEEDS
ANNOUNCED
Release: October 9, 2001
HERSHEY, Pa.--------On Saturday, September 29, Hersheypark
and WGAL 8 co-hosted "Ride for Relief," a fund raiser for the
The September 11th Fund, established by the United Way and The
New York Community Trust, to benefit the victims and the families affected
by the September 11 tragedy which occurred in New York City, Washington,
DC and Western Pennsylvania. The total proceeds from admission tickets
sold at Hersheypark on September 29 was $203,069.00, which combined
with additional patron and employee donations, resulted in a total
contribution to The September 11th Fund of $210,502.00. This contribution
was made possible from close to 16,000 patrons who attended Hersheypark
on September 29.
"Everyone at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
and WGAL was very gratified by the generosity of the people who attended Hersheypark
on
September 29. It was a very emotional day; the guests at
the park came to not only donate to the relief effort, but also to show
their pride in being an American," said Scott J. Newkam, Chairman
of the Board, President and CEO of Hershey Entertainment and
Resorts Company.
"WGAL was proud to co-sponsor this fund raising
event with Hersheypark. Like all Americans, we waned to make a
contribution to the relief effort and gladly donated the resources of the
station to promote and help host this remarkable day. Thanks to the
thousands who came out to participate. We are thrilled with the
results," said Paul Quinn, President and General Manager of WGAL 8.
The day featured an array of inspiring patriotic
entertainment and demonstrations to honor all the people affected by the
September 11 tragedy, including the brave men and women who are assisting
in the relief efforts. All the performers donated their time and their
talent to provide a day that was a dynamic tribute to the United States of
America, its leaders and citizens.
Thousands of guests were dressed in red, white and blue,
demonstrating their support and loyalty to the United States. Both Hersheypark
and WGAL thank the people of South Central Pennsylvania for their support
of "Ride for Relief."
For more information on the "Ride for Relief"
results and photos from the day, visit www.hersheypark.com.
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Words appearing in boldface are trademarks used under license.
| TOMB
RAIDER: THE RIDE™ TO OPEN AT
PARAMOUNT'S KINGS ISLAND IN 2002
New attraction will change the face of thrill ride history and
become one of the world's greatest adventure rides, inspired by
Paramount Pictures' blockbuster film event, "Lara Croft:
Tomb Raider™" starring Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie
Kings Island, Ohio - You've played the games. You've seen the
movie. Soon, you can take the ride. Paramount Parks, a unit of the Viacom
Entertainment Group, announced today plans to transform this summer's epic
adventure, Paramount Pictures' "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," into a
unique, multi-sensory adventure ride. TOMB RAIDER: The Ride will
open in 2002 at Paramount's Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Paramount Pictures feature film is based on the wildly popular Eidos
Interactive, Inc. action games: Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, Tomb
Raider III: The Adventures of Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Last
Revelation, and Tomb Raider: Chronicles. Since its debut in
1996, Tomb Raider and its heroine, Lara Croft, have become a worldwide
phenomenon. With total sales of the action games reaching 25 million units
worldwide, each game has topped the PlayStation game best-seller lists.
The recent Paramount Pictures feature film had an explosive $48.2 million
mid-June opening-weekend box office gross giving it the title of best
debut ever for a film based on a video game property.
On TOMB RAIDER: The Ride, adventuring guests are in for an
experience unique to the theme park universe that is filled with all of
Lara Croft's real passions: raiding tombs, besting bad guys and one
extreme adventure after another. The excitement begins with a journey into
a foreboding ancient temple. As stone walls give way to others, guests
will proceed through mysterious chambers, engraved with strange, runic
symbols and the debris of failed expeditions, as a sense of impending doom
grows. With only seconds to spare before certain calamity, guests strap in
to the only possible vehicle of escape. Playing off scenes from the motion
picture filmed in Cambodia and Iceland, the escape will include rocketing
upward for a close encounter in an ice cave with menacing, razor-sharp
stalactites and a face-first plunge straight down toward a pit of boiling,
red-hot lava.
"Part of the thrill of the Tomb Raider property is the mystery
and intrigue that surrounds each adventure. We want to preserve this
mystery with the Tomb Raider ride until the first group of adventurers
braves it in 2002 - so, we aren't going to disclose all of the surprises
in store for riders," said Tim Fisher, executive vice president and
general manager of Paramount's Kings Island. "But this attraction
will change the face of thrill ride history and become one of the greatest
adventure rides in the world."
In making the announcement, park officials unveiled a dramatic 42'x 28'
in-park display featuring actual props used in the filming of the motion
picture. Members of the project team visited the soundstages at Pinewood
Studios outside London, England and hand-selected key props to use
throughout the ride experience. Some of these props are a part of the
display located at the base of the park's signature Royal Fountain and
Eiffel Tower attraction. The movie props on display throughout the summer
include:
· The impressive six-armed Brahma
statue, known as the Warrior Goddess
Durga, featured in the
Cambodian tomb
· The evil stone monkeys that are
mobilized in the Cambodian tomb raiding
scene
"It is our intention to bring the excitement, adventure and
technology of Tomb Raider to life in a stunning multi-dimensional
experience. Ensuring the authenticity of this experience is of the utmost
importance to us," Fisher said. "We want guests to feel like
real tomb raiders from the moment they enter the attraction."
TOMB RAIDER: The Ride is currently under construction in the
Rivertown section of the 364-acre theme park. All will be revealed in 2002
when the park expects to unveil the new attraction.
Paramount's Kings Island is owned and operated by Paramount Parks.
Paramount Parks, a unit of Viacom, Inc., is a leading developer and
operator of regional theme parks and location-based entertainment
attractions. The company currently manages: Paramount's Kings Island
(Cincinnati, Ohio); Paramount's Kings Dominion (Richmond, Va.);
Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.); Paramount's Carowinds
(Charlotte, N.C.); Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Toronto, Ontario,
Canada); and Star Trek: The Experience™ at the Las Vegas Hilton, (Las
Vegas, Nev.)
Viacom is the No. 1 vehicle in the world for advertisers, with preeminent
positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising
and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every
demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader
in the creation, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news,
sports, and music. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV,
Nickelodeon, VH1, Paramount Pictures, Infinity, UPN, TNN, CMT, Showtime,
Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and
its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
Eidos Interactive, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of
interactive entertainment products for the PC, PlayStation® game console,
PlayStation2 game console, Sega Dreamcast™, and Nintendo® Game Boy®
Color. Eidos Interactive is part of London-based Eidos plc (NASDAQ: EIDSY)
with offices in San Francisco, Paris, Hamburg, and Tokyo.
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| Woman
Dies After Magic Mountain Roller Coaster Ride
(KFWB) -- A
28-year-old woman died within minutes of riding the "Goliath"
roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. It appears she was
uninjured, but suffered some sort of internal medical problem.
A Magic Mountain spokesman reported the woman was unconscious when the
ride came to a stop back on the loading platform. He says the woman was
immediately taken by ambulance to nearby Henry Mayo Hospital, where she
was pronounced dead.
The woman's identity was not immediately released, be she is believed
to be from outside Southern California, and was seated next to a friend or
relative in the roller coaster. Goliath is a smooth ride that remains
upright throughout, but does include extreme drops. It opened in the year
2000.
The park spokesman said he could not confirm heart attack as the cause
of death. Such a determination would have to come from the coroner's
office.
6.02.01, 6:20p
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Cedar
Fair, L.P. To Acquire Michigan Amusement Park
SANDUSKY, Ohio, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN
- news), a publicly traded
partnership which owns and operates five amusement parks and four water
parks, today announced that it has reached agreement in principle for the
acquisition of Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park, located near Muskegon,
Michigan. The acquisition will be made with Cedar Fair limited partnership
units, and is subject to a number of conditions and conclusion of a
definitive agreement. Further details were not disclosed.
Michigan's Adventure is a traditional, family-oriented amusement park
offering a variety of rides and attractions, including a world-class
wooden roller coaster, Shivering Timbers, a number of food and merchandise
outlets, and a water area, called Wild Water Adventure, which features
more than twenty water-related attractions. The park entertains more than
400,000 guests per year, principally from central and western Michigan and
eastern Indiana.
Cedar Fair's five amusement parks are Cedar Point, located on Lake Erie
between Cleveland and Toledo; Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles in Buena
Park, California; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown,
Pennsylvania; Valleyfair near Minneapolis/St. Paul; and Worlds of Fun,
located in Kansas City, Missouri. The Partnership's water parks are
located in Chula Vista, California, near San Diego, and adjacent to Cedar
Point, Knott's Berry Farm and Worlds of Fun. Cedar Fair also operates
Knott's Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota under
a management contract.
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| Theme Parks Use Technology To Locate Missing Kids
Friday May 04 12:39 AM EDT
Several theme parks are making use of modern-day technology to make it easier for parents to find their missing children, 10News' Bob Lawrence reported.
SeaWorld San Diego offers parents two-way radios for rent for $20 a pair per day. The parent gets one radio and the child gets the other. That way, if they become separated, they are just a radio call away.
Parent Krista Newquist thought this was a great idea. "They're off in their own little world and wanting to do what they want to do," Newquist said.
Park officials love the devices as well. "We found that by using these last summer, we actually had less cases of children lost in the park," spokesman Bob Tucker said.
SeaWorld is the only theme park in Southern California to offer a child-locating program, but other parks nationwide have even more high-tech solutions, using modern Global Positioning Satellite equipment.
At Water World, just outside Denver, park visitors can rent what is called the ParkWatch for $3 per person. This device looks like a wristwatch but is actually a GPS locator.
When a visitor rents a ParkWatch, their name and group is entered into a database. ParkWatch kiosks are set up throughout the park. The kiosks have a map, and when any member of the group scans their watch at a kiosk, the locations of everyone else in their party are displayed on the map.
"You know you can find your family or they can find you wherever you are," visitor Lucas Caughern said.
Currently, Water World is the only park to offer this service, though ParkWatch hopes to expand to other amusement parks across the country.
Another technology takes the GPS idea one step further. Digital Angel is also a wristwatch-style GPS locator, but it also transmits medical data
We want to know where they are, but Digital Angel will tell you how they are, and that's what's important," spokesman Keith Bolton said.
The Digital Angel transmits data such as the user's temperature and heart rate. The device will be on the market later this year.
No doubt the technology is helpful, but according to the Center for Missing Children, no device is better than a watchful parent.
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| The
Skyline of Fun is Changing at Six Flags Over Georgia
February 22, 2001
- $16 million is the largest investment in Six Flags Over Georgia history
-
ATLANTA (February 22, 2001) - Thrill seekers are in for a treat this year
as Six Flags Over Georgia unveils hair-raising new rides, blockbuster
entertainment, virtual queuing technology and lower prices, park officials
announced today. The new features are all part of the amusement park's $16
million expansion, the largest made to Six Flags since it opened in 1967.
Two giant additions will change the way guests view the park - literally
towering over suburban Atlanta by almost 200 feet. First to make its debut
in early spring is Déjà Vu, the next-generation super boomerang roller
coaster and the world's tallest and fastest ride of its kind. Traveling at
thunderous speeds of 65 m.p.h., riders are strapped into a ski-lift style
train flying fast forwards over a twisting, looping inverted steel track,
only to do it again - backwards.
Paul Ruben, a roller coaster writer, lecturer, historian, and aficionado
who has ridden more than 8,000 miles of coaster track on 567 different
roller coasters over the last 60 years, said the new Déjà Vu coaster
sets a higher standard for coaster lovers and anyone who seeks extreme
rides.
"With their largest investment in the park's 34-year history, Six
Flags Over Georgia has dramatically raised the bar for thrill-ride fans in
the Southeast," said Ruben, who is also editor of British-based Park
World magazine, a leading trade publication for the international
amusement industry. "Déjà Vu is one of the newest and best examples
worldwide of pushing the envelope in roller coaster design. This ride will
enhance Six Flags Over Georgia as a major destination for roller coaster
fans everywhere."
The other new ride of the season is Acrophobia, a 200-foot rotating tower
drop ride where riders stand feet dangling, and then plummet 161 feet at
speeds up to 62 mph. What makes Acrophobia even more hair raising is the
15-degree tilt rider's experience when they reach the top.
"Six Flags Over Georgia is experiencing dramatic changes this season
which means there will be more to enjoy than ever - more thrills, more
attractions, more shows and all at an incredible value to our Guests. As
the Southeast's leader in entertainment Six Flags continues to offer our
Guests exactly what they want, and our Guests will certainly take
notice," said John Odum, vice president and general manager of Six
Flags Over Georgia.
For those who go weak at the knees just thinking about roller coasters and
other death-defying rides, Six Flags Over Georgia is introducing an
unprecedented SEVEN new shows. "The Great Russian Circus," an
amazing troupe of skilled acrobats, trapeze artists, and masters of the
tightrope will make their debut in the 2,500-seat Axis Arena located in
Gotham City. By adding spectacularly dangerous elements to traditional
circus acts, "The Great Russian Circus" will bring audiences to
the edge of their seats, gasping for air!
In addition to The Great Russian Circus, Six Flags Over Georgia is
introducing other new shows including "Mermaids and Mariners," a
high-diving show; a magic act named "Beguiled;" a 1970's
song-and-dance "Reflections;" "Way Down Yonder"
featuring country music classics; and the "Wild West Comedy Gun
Fight".
Adding to the excitement of two new rides, Six Flags Over Georgia is
actually increasing the amount of time guests can enjoy the park with its
new virtual queuing technology - Fast Lane. Six Flags Over Georgia is the
first U.S. theme park to implement a system that replaces long waits with
a computerized "virtual line," scheduling ride times for park
visitors who can then return to the ride just minutes before boarding.
Park visitors better hang on to their wallets because they will definitely
be heavier this year with the rollback of general admission and parking
prices. One-day tickets for adults are dropping to $35.00 plus tax, and
kids 48 inches and under are $17.38 plus tax. Parking is now $7, down from
$8 last year. The park officially opens for weekend operation on March 24
and daily operation on May 25.
Six Flags Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with a
total of 39 parks in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Six
Flags parks serve 20 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United
States. The parks annually host approximately 50 million guests worldwide.
A publicly held corporation with corporate offices in New York City and
Oklahoma City, the company's stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol:
PKS.
###
SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks
Inc. ®, TM and © 2001.
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| Six
Flags America Makes Aviation History; Incredible Flying Coaster Proves
Human Flight Is Possible; Batwing To Take Flight Over Six Flags America
February
16, 2001
LARGO, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2001 via NewsEdge Corporation -
The centuries old dream of flying takes on a new twist as Six Flags
America announces plans to launch Batwing - an unprecedented thrill-ride
development and phenomenal flying roller coaster concept.
This sensational airborne experience will be the only one of it's kind
on the East Coast and promises mankind the ability to freely fly like
never before.
Eighty two years ago, just miles away from Six Flags America in College
Park, Maryland, Wilbur Wright taught the first military officers to fly.
In 1918, the Federal Government chose Maryland for another important
aviation milestone -- the first U.S. Postal Air Mail Service. And now, Six
Flags gives the nod to Maryland for the new Millennium's first flight of
Batwing, the "next generation" of ultimate flying coasters. With
the 2001 addition of Batwing, Six Flags America brings the first-hand
experience of flying in Batman's own amazing personal vehicle to life.
This major announcement continues to fuel Six Flags America blockbuster
launch into the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. Now entering its third
season, Six Flags America has introduced an unbelievable five new roller
coasters creating a tremendous stable of eight fun and ferocious coasters.
"It seems as if people in this area simply cannot get enough
adrenaline, exhilaration and mind-bending thrills," said Janet
Porter, Six Flags America vice president and general manager. "And,
as the world's powerhouse leader in theme park entertainment, we chose to
give them this extraordinary new ride which is sure to deliver the extreme
experience they are seeking. We absolutely could not think of a better
match for this park than Batman and one of his ultra high-tech
vehicles...Batwing!"
The Batwing adventure begins as passengers board the sleek, 24-seat
train sitting four abreast and facing... backwards. The suspense builds as
guests, secured by unique over-the-shoulder and knee harnesses, begin
lift-off and an incredible climb 115-foot into the air. Upon approaching
the crest of the hill, passengers are gently reclined to a 30-degree angle
only to find themselves suddenly facing the sky.
At the pinnacle of this suspenseful ascent the train quickly inverts
into a 180-degree twist turning average theme park thrill-seekers into
high-flying heroes. Gravity pulls riders snugly against the safety
harnesses as the sky disappears and they find themselves flying,
face-down; soaring first toward the ground then into the sky.
Batwing's amazing flight pattern covers 3,340 feet of tortuously
twisted steel track including eight inversions, corkscrews, twists and
horizontal loops. The space-age train reaches speeds of 50 mph but the
intense sensations created by the ride's lack of visual obstructions and
realistic sensation of flight makes the 2 minute and 20 second ride seem
much faster.
Batwing's innovative ride system and incredibly integrated design has
earned Netherlands based ride manufacturer, Vekoma International, the
industry's coveted title of "Best New Technology Applied to
Amusements" awarded by the International Association of Amusement
Parks and Attractions. According to industry expert and noted author Paul
Ruben, "the ride is controlled mayhem - a result of flying on one of
the wildest rides ever. It's a face-down, head-first, up in the air
experience of a lifetime."
"This barrier-breaking attraction pushes the envelope of
experience entertainment," said Porter. "Batwing will give Six
Flags America guests a full-throttle adventure that they cannot find
anywhere else in the Mid-Atlantic."
For those who have always dreamed of flying, the fantasy will finally
become a reality at Six Flags America. Batwing, the only flying coaster on
the East Coast, will make its historic first flight in May 2001.
Six Flags America is really two parks in one! Featuring more than 100
thrilling rides, shows and attractions plus the popular Paradise Island
Water Park -- all for one low admission -- Six Flags America truly has
something for everyone. The park's ultimate Spring Preview party is set
for April 11-16 (closed Easter Sunday) and weekends only through May 24.
Summer slides into full swing with daily park operation beginning May 24
and continuing through August 26 plus weekends in September. For exact
operating dates and hours visit sixflags.com/america. Six Flags America is
located 15 minutes east of Washington, DC and 40 minutes south of
Baltimore, Maryland.
Six Flags America is owned by Six Flags, Inc., the world's largest
regional theme park company with 38 parks, including parks in the United
States, Latin America and Europe. Six Flags parks serve 20 of the 25
largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The parks annually host
approximately 50 million guests worldwide. A publicly held corporation
with corporate offices in New York and Oklahoma City, the company's stock
trades on the NYSE under the symbol: PKS.
Paradise Island Water Park open seasonally.
SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme
Parks Inc. (r), (tm) and (c) 2001. BATMAN and all related characters,
names, ride and attraction names and indicia are trademarks of DC Comics
(c) 2001.
CONTACT: Six Flags America | Debbie Evans, 301-867-0263/301-661-0496
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