LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Six Flags is contending that they contacted the family of a girl who lost both feet at their Kentucky Kingdom amusement park last Thursday – contradicting the family’s first public statement following the accident, issued Tuesday.
“Two representatives from Kentucky Kingdom traveled to the hospital immediately following the accident and were there for some time before the family requested that they leave,†Six Flags spokeswoman Carolyn McLean said “We are deeply saddened by this incident and of course have genuine concern for the well-being of the entire family. We stand ready to be of any assistance we possibly can.â€
According to the family's statement, released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
"Kaitlyn's parents would like to state for the record that despite claims in the media by representatives from Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park, at no time has any representative of the theme park been in touch with members of the family."
The statement identifies the teenager as Kaitlyn Lasitter, who it reported is in stable condition. The statement also thanks the public for support, and asks the media to respect the family's privacy.
On Sunday, a Kentucky Department of Agriculture spokesman said the investigation into why the Superman Tower of Power, the ride that maimed Lasitter, malfunctioned would carry on this week in Frankfort.
“Over the next few days, they’ll be taking an exhaustive look at the evidence that has been collected, including the witness statements,†investigator Bill Clary said.
The Department of Agriculture, which is in charge of monitoring amusement ride safety in Kentucky, reported completing its on-site investigation over the weekend, including the collection of 130 photographs.
The president of Swiss ride-maker Intamin said a failed cord on the free-fall ride caused the injuries last Thursday, but it was still unknown why the cord snapped.
Intamin president Sandor Kernacs said his company provided the ride to Kentucky Kingdom about 14 years ago, but did not supply the cord.
Dispatchers said they were notified of the accident around 5 p.m. Thursday. Officials said both Lasitter's feet were detached above the ankles.
According to Kentucky Kingdom's Web site the Superman Tower of Power is 177 feet tall and drops riders at 54 miles per hour.
“We seen the cable break loose soon as it got to the top on the right-hand side,†said Chris Williams, who witnessed the event.
Treva Smith said it snapped again as the ride descended.
“The people on the ride just came and hit the ground,†Smith said.
Williams said she saw Lasitter maimed.
“As the ride came down, the wire swung left, struck the young lady on the back side of my children,†Williams said.
Williams’ daughter Amber said she gave up her seat to the 13-year-old and was sitting on the other side of the ride. Williams rushed toward the ride to find his daughter. As Smith raced to find members of her group, she said she made a gruesome discovery.
“When I got up there, the lady, she was just sitting there and she didn’t have no legs,†Smith said. “She didn’t have no legs at all. She was just calm, probably in shock from everything.â€
Smith said she saw no blood and the girl wasn’t crying, but the same couldn’t be said for many who witnessed the incident on the ride formerly known as the Hellevator.
“My son’s over there tripping out, man,†Williams said. “You want to come to a park and feel safe you know. We’ve got season passes. We’re not coming back for sure.â€
But other visitors aren’t so worried.
“Every park, one in a million maybe something happens,†park visitor Kenneth Lay said. “But I have no fear.â€
On-scene EMT personnel were on hand to immediately transport Lasitter to a local hospital, from which she was transported to Vanderbilt.
Inspectors arrived Thursday night to begin determining what happened. They said they checked checking the cable in question.
The ride was shut down and was scheduled to remain so until the investigation has been completed. On Friday, Six Flags spokeswoman Carolyn McClean said the company is shutting down similar rides in other parks. King's Island in Cincinnati, which has a similar ride from the same manufacturer, announced that ride will be closed until it has been inspected.
Intamin is considered a leader in the design of amusement park rides. It has supplied some two dozen different styles of rides at amusement parks around the world. The company is responsible for a number of rides similar to Superman Tower of Power, and is credited with inventing the first free-fall ride.
