Tragedy on Big Thunder
Fatality from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad derailment;
injured identified
Last updated: 4:28 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
The correct name of the seriously injured man is Vicente Gutierrez.
His name was released with an incorrect spelling earlier this afternoon,
according to Kim Pine of the UCI-Medical Center.
Last updated: 3:52 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
The UCI-Medical Center has released the identities of the injured from
today's accident at Disneyland. According to hospital spokesman Marci
Dodson, the man who was admitted in critical condition, and who is now
in serious condition, is Vincente Gutierrez (22) from Wilmington, California,
about 25 miles from Disneyland.
Gutierrez suffered facial injuries, a broken collarbone, and rib fractures.
His injuries are serious, but he is awake and alert.
The five others admitted for minor injuries are:
- William (47) and his wife Teresa (37) Smith, from North Hills, California,
about 55 miles from Disneyland.
- Debra (44), her son Christopher (15), and her nephew Adrian (9), from
San Diego.
According to Dodson, these five suffered mostly bruises.
Last updated: 3:26 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
The Los Angeles Times reports more details about the incident at Disneyland
today. According to the newspaper, parted from the train as it headed
up the incline. The train rolled back down the grade and into a dark tunnel,
where it stopped and riders were temporarily trapped.
The article reports that the fatality is a man who went into cardiac
arrest and was transported to UCI-Medical.
Separately, the critically injured man—who has since been upgraded
to serious condition—suffered facial injuries according to hospital
spokesman Marci Dodson. Doctors at UCI-Medical were evaluating him for
chest injuries as well.
Last updated: 3:04 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
According to the Associated
Press, the fatality occurred on the attraction itself at the time
of the accident. The report quotes Anaheim city spokesman John Nicoletti,
who said the man died inside a tunnel section of the ride, and his body
remained there for the investigation. His identity has not been released.
The injured range in age from 9 to 47. The article also notes that the
accident occurred inside the tunnel portion of the ride, although no further
details are available at this time.
Last updated: 2:41 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
Official statement
EMERGENCY
STATEMENT FROM THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
Statement
By Cynthia Harriss
Disneyland Resort President
Friday, September 5, 2003
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 11:30 this morning on
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
There was one death and 11 people injured and taken to various local
hospitals. Anaheim Fire Department, Anaheim Police Department and Department
of Occupation, Safety and Health are all on the scene and we are closely
working with the authorities to investigate the incident. Meanwhile,
the attraction is closed.
On behalf of the entire Cast of the Disneyland Resort we are shocked
and saddened by this morning's incident. Our hearts and prayers go out
to the family of those involved.
More developments will be released as they become available.
Disneyland's official statement confirms the fatality, which was reported
earlier by CNN. This fatality does not appear to have been the critically
injured person transported to UCI-Medical—We will provide more information
when available.
Kathy Fackler
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction has special meaning for
Kathy Fackler. It was in 1998 that David, her then-5-year-old son, lost
part of his left foot on the ride. Since then, Kathy has become an advocate
for theme park safety, and is the publisher of the Safer
Parks Web site.
When we contacted Kathy this afternoon, she had not yet heard of today's
accident. She said:
“UCI is an excellent medical facility. The Walt Disney Company
has an excellent technical staff. The Division of Occupational Safety
and Health will perform a thorough investigation and the final report
will be available to the public. I have faith that the system now in
place will efficiently, effectively, and fairly address the medical
and safety issues. My prayers are with the victims, their families,
and the Walt Disney Company.”
Last updated: 2:25 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
CNN is now reporting that one of the injured has died.
According to Marci Dodson at UCI-Medical, the critically injured person,
a 22-year-old male, has been upgraded to serious condition. This contradicts
the CNN report, if the report refers to the same individual.
The three minors range in ages from 9 to 16.
Last updated: 1:58 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
The triage area set up outside the exit from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,
to the south of the McDonald's fry cart. When we arrived, there were two
ambulances and one police car visible. One of the ambulances left while
we were there. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The entrance to Frontierland from the Central Plaza (the Hub). These are
the cast members that were telling people that the area would be closed
for 1-2 hours because they were having “technical difficulties with
the riverboat.” Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A guest we watched being escorted out of the area by Disneyland staff.
(We cannot read the costume—he is either Fire or Tech Services) Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The perimeter from New Orleans Square. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The gate leading from Fantasyland to Frontierland, via the Big Thunder
Trail. This area is rarely ever closed. By closing the gate, they open
a path for the ambulances to come and go from backstage. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
“Please check back later” — This is what is currently posted
on the main information board. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Last updated: 1:43 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
UCI-Medical Center has admitted six people from the accident at Disneyland.
The critically injured person is an adult male. Center spokeswoman Marci
Dodson has informed MousePlanet that the five others who were admitted
included two adults (a man and a woman) and three minors. We do not yet
know how old the minors are.
Last updated: 1:14 p.m. PDT Friday, September 5, 2003
At least six persons have been transported to the University of California-Irvine
Medical Center, at least one in critical condition.
Unconfirmed reports are that cast members who were in Frontierland were
“treated to a lunch at the Golden Horseshoe Theater.” This may
be a way to corral all cast members into a controlled location, as well
as to provide them with updates as appropriate.
In the meantime, cast members who are guarding the ropes along the perimeter,
when asked what the ropes are for, are informing guests that “there's
a problem with the riverboats.”
Last updated: 12:53 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
From to the Associated Press, filed 12:48 p.m.:
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - A locomotive broke loose from a train on Disneyland's
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction Friday, injuring at least 11
people, police said.
Television helicopters showed a triage unit set up near the ride, and
one person being wheeled to an ambulance on a stretcher.
The accident occurred at 11:20 a.m., Disneyland spokeswoman Ruthy Flores
said.
The condition of the victims was not immediately known. Additional
information wasn't immediately available, police Sgt. Rick Martinez
said.
The roller coaster takes park visitors on a twisting, turning ride
through mineshafts and caverns, past falling rocks and tumbling waterfalls.
Disney officials have not released an official statement at this time.
The Anaheim Police Department currently has no comment, and is referring
all inquiries to the Disneyland publicity office.
Last updated: 12:47 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
Frontierland is closed from New Orleans Square onward. On-scene are an
ambulance and at least one Anaheim Police car. Tom Sawyer Island is closed.
Mark Twain is closed, as are the canoes.
We have reports that Disneyland Security is approaching persons who appear
to be reporters or news photographers, and asking them to leave the premises.
Cynthia Harriss (head of Disneyland Resort) has been seen in the area
in the park.
Cast members are looking for individuals who may have witnessed the incident.
Last updated: 12:43 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
According to the Associated Press, the number of injured are currently
at 11. Based on visual footage from helicopters, the locomotive separated
from the rest of the train.
Last updated: 12:38 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
Frontierland is closed. Two to three hours before Frontierland will be
reopened. Park guests are not being informed of the reason why.
Last updated: 12:35 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
Emergency personnel are treating injured parties on the scene following
a derailment at Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Television
crews are also on their way, so expect some visuals on the afternoon news.
According to local news only one person was taken away on an ambulance.
As of 12:35 p.m., the Harbor Boulevard pedestrian gate is still open,
and the park has not been shut down.
12:20 p.m. PDT Friday September 5, 2003
Emergency personnel are treating injured parties on the scene following
a derailment at Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Television
crews are also on their way, so expect some visuals on the afternoon news.
Updates as available. Developing.
Text © 2003 MousePlanet, Inc, all rights reserved.
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ssi_btmrr-side
MousePlanet provides detailed coverage about the accident history
of Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster. The main page
with the most recent updates is available here.
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad experienced an accident at
approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2004. Read our original breaking-news
coverage of this accident here.
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad experienced an emergency
stop on Saturday, April 3, 2004, less than a week after it reopened from the
2003 accident. No injuries were reported for this accident. Read our coverage
of this accident here.
A locomotive on the Big Thunder Mountail Railroad in Disneyland's
Frontierland broke loose at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Friday, September 5,
killing 1 man and injuring 10 others.
• Our main page about the
accident (9/13/01).
• Our extensive analysis about the cause
of the accident based on the DOSH final report (12/1/03).
• Mouse Tales columnist David Koenig reports
on a ex-supervisor who blows the whistle on the ride (9/10/03)
• Our Park
Update coverage as Big Thunder reopens in March 2004 (3/15/04)
• Media coverage and analysis of accident (9/03)
• Coverage of Eisner and Rasulo press conference
on day of accident (9/5/03).
• Breaking news coverage as events unfolded
on Friday afternoon (9/5/03).
• The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad locomotive broke loose
from the rest of the train at 11:20 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2003.
• Single fatality: Marcelo Torres (22) from Gardena,
California, of undisclosed causes.
• 10 injured victims, including the following, who were
transported to the University of California Irvine Medical Center:
- Vicente Gutierrez (22) from Wilmington, California, suffered
facial injuries, a broken collarbone and cracked ribs.
- William (47) and his wife Teresa (37) Smith, from North
Hills, California, suffered from bruises.
- Debra (44), her son Christopher (15), and her nephew Adrian
(9), from San Diego, suffered from bruises.
• Designed and manufactured by: WED/Walt Disney Imagineering
• Ride type: “Mine train” type roller coaster
• Opened: September 2, 1979
• Maximum height: 104 feet at the top of Big Thunder
Peak
• Maximum capacity: 32
• Height requirement: 40 inches tall (3 feet 4 inches)
[correction]
• Safety restraint: Single bench-wide lap bar (bench sits
two)
• Speed: 28 miles per hour
• Disneyland's BTMRR was created in-house by Disney Imagineers.
The WDW version was built in 1980. The Disneyland Paris version was built in
1992.
Discuss this incident on our MousePad
discussion board.
Submit info: We update this page as news becomes available.
If you have some news to share, contact
Lani Teshima.
Comments? If you have some comments about the accident
or about our coverage, please write to our MousePlanet
Mailbag.
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