Recently, we reported on a tragic incident that took place at ICON Park in Orlando. Now, it seems other attractions are still failing to learn from the horrible mistakes that were recently made.
Credit: ICON Park Orlando
ICON Park is a tourist destination in Orlando, minutes from Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. There are museums, shops, and dining locations at ICON Park, as well as attractions like the Orlando Eye, a slow-moving wheel where Guests can see the city, and some other attractions of a much more thrilling nature. Recently, we reported on the death of a 14-year-old boy after the Orlando FreeFall restraint failed to hold him in during the entirety of the massive drop. The ride malfunction was inexcusable and even caused other Parks like Dollywood to shut down their attractions operated by Fun Time, the ride manufacturer.
Credit: The Sydney Royal Easter Show
Considering how the safety of drop towers and ride restraints has been a prevalent topic in the news cycle as of late, it was shocking to see when a kids drop tower was cleared for take-off while a 4-year-old boy was left unrestrained. It has been reported that a free-fall tower ride at the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been shut down, after a child nearly dangerously rode the attraction while the restraint was left full in the air, not touching him in any capacity.
On Sunday, 10 April, Tristan Curtis was nearly flung into the air after his overhead restraint wasn’t locked over him on the ‘Free Fall’ ride.Images revealed Tristan sitting alongside three other children, all clutching at their restraints, while the four-year-old leaned forward, his restraint still up in the air.Just moments before from the ride was set to start, operators were alerted by panicked bystanders.
Tristan’s mother, Sky Boustani Curtis was watching from the side as she realised what was happening.
Credit: The Sydney Royal Easter Show
She told the Daily Telegraph: “The (operator) girl stopped the ride but didn’t get out of her booth so another father ended up getting him to climb down to him. “Myself and my husband were not tall enough to reach him. They simply did not pull his harness down, didn’t check him.” The ride operator had to hit the emergency stop button and the ride was unable to come back down. The young boy had to jump into his fathers arms, reportedly.
Sky Boustani Curtis had continued to note that her son has autism and that this trauma is continuing to affect him after the fact. The Sydney Royal Easter Show (@eastershow) stated an update, noting that the ride is now shut down.
First held in 1823, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual ticketed event, attracting over 828,000 attendees on average. The Show is a celebration of Australian culture, from our rural traditions to our modern day lifestyles, providing unique experiences for everyone. Revenue generated by it allows the RAS to invest in agricultural programs, competitions, education, youth and rural NSW.
What do you feel about the current mechanical issues with drop tower attractions? Are you comfortable riding them at the moment?
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Credit: ABC
