A roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park hit and killed a patron Thursday, a park spokesman said. The parkgoer had gone into “a restricted, fenced area” near the Sandusky park’s Raptor roller coaster at about 5 p.m. before being struck by the ride, park spokesman Bryan Edwards said. Reports are that he was searching for his cell phone.
“Park safety officials responded immediately to the situation,” Edwards said. “Unfortunately, the guest has passed away.” As one of the top attractions in north-central Ohio, near the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point has attracted legions of visitors since opening 146 years ago — a fact that makes it North America’s second oldest continually-operated amusement park, according to its website.
Roller coasters are a big part of the draw, with Cedar Point boasting more than 10 miles total of track and the claim as being the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Raptor is one of Cedar Park’s 17 coasters, twisting people up, down and all around at speeds reaching 57 mph.
Cedar Point Statement posted on Facebook
At approximately 5 p.m., a guest entered a restricted, fenced area of the Raptor roller coaster and was struck by the ride. Park safety officials responded immediately to the situation. Unfortunately the guest has passed away. Local authorities are on the scene conducting an investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time.