A six-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital with traumatic injuries after falling from a rollercoaster ride on Thursday, August 3 in Kissimmee, Florida.
Witnesses reported seeing the child standing on the Galaxy Spin ride moments before the incident.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, locating the boy trapped under the rollercoaster structure, elevated approximately 20 feet from the ground. The Galaxy Spin ride, which features rapid twists and turns, has height restrictions listed on the park’s website: 4 feet for solo riders and 3.5 feet if accompanied by an adult.
The boy was immediately taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital. The incident has prompted an investigation by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
While the ride has been temporarily closed for further inspection, the park, Fun Spot Kissimmee, maintains that the Galaxy Spin had recently passed all safety checks. It was noted though that the ride does not have individual seat belts for each person.
This event recalls a similar incident from the previous year when a 14-year-old boy, Tyre Sampson, fell from the Free Fall ride at Orlando’s ICON Park. An inquiry into Sampson’s accident found that he was over the weight limit and his safety harness was not correctly fastened. The ride was subsequently decommissioned.
The recent incidents have sparked discussions about the safety protocols at some amusement parks, emphasizing the importance of rigorous oversight.