Nearly 60 million people visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida annually. Guests love spending time in Disney World’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. They also love taking a splash in one of the water parks, shopping at Disney Springs, or lounging around their Resort hotel. With that many people visiting every year — more than 35,000 per day — injuries are bound to happen. And they range from quick trips to the First Aid Center to hospital visits.
Sadly, there are some people who pass away while visiting the Parks. Florida releases a report every year that is a record of all the serious injuries reported at theme parks in the state. According to this report, a man — who will remain anonymous — died shortly after riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the Magic Kingdom.
Per a report from Florida Politics:
A 44-year-old man collapsed and later died after riding the Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster in late May, according to a new state report released this week that details guests’ most serious injuries at Florida’s biggest theme parks.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s office said a cause of death for the man who recently moved to Florida has not been determined yet and the autopsy report is still pending.
The man’s wife did not want him identified and declined to be interviewed.
The incident happened on Disney World property, so paramedics from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly Reedy Creek) were sent to the scene.
The district released two 911 calls Tuesday which appeared to be made by a guest, who was a bystander, and a Disney cast member.
According to the calls, the man fell on the ground and had a seizure at the exit of the ride.
The woman who appeared to be a cast member said a doctor was on the scene and people performed CPR on the man to get him breathing again. Paramedics soon arrived.
Although a cause of death is still pending, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated that the man passed away from “personal illness.” That indicates that he most likely had a pre-existing condition, which may have been exacerbated by the attraction.
The man was remembered by his family and loved ones as a “dutiful husband and father of three young boys”. He was a physician who was also loved and appreciated by his patients.
Many Disney rides and attractions do have warnings to Guests before they board. These warnings let Guests know that some people with certain medical conditions may want to reconsider riding the attraction. If you do have a pre-existing condition, it is important to research what rides and attractions may be the best and safest for you.
