Coaster riders switched positions before boy fell, state report says
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The roller coaster at Idlewild and SoakZone Park from which a 3-year-old boy was ejected last summer is being replaced to conform to state safety requirements.
The Rollo Coaster, a wooden coaster that has operated at the Ligonier park since 1938, was shut down Aug. 11 after Declan McClain of Jeannette fell from the ride as it made a turn during its 1,400-foot-long trip. The family of the boy, who was conscious and talking when he was taken by medical helicopter to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, requested that no information on his injuries be released.
An investigative report released Monday by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees amusement rides in the state, spelled out four steps the park must take before it will allow the ride to reopen. But three of those steps — including the installation of seat belts, additional inspections and revised height requirements — will be met when the park replaces the coaster with a new model, built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, the ride’s original manufacturer.
The fourth requirement will be a written description of changes in operator training.
“Idlewild’s culture is ‘safety first,’” Brandon Leonatti, the park’s general manager, said in a news release. “We remain fully committed to providing fun and safe rides for all our guests.”
The new coaster, which is being custom-made, is expected to be in place in July.
The state investigation found that the accident occurred after an adult rider, who was not identified, took three children onto the coaster. Declan, who was 36.22 inches tall, and his 7-year-old brother, at 47.6 inches, were both under the 48-inch height requirement for riding without an adult. The minimum height for being on
Images from the ride’s cameras showed the child with his arms wrapped around the bar as it left the station.
The report said neither Mr. Zydonik nor a second operator, David Nathaniel, noticed that the riders had switched seats, though the park’s rules required both operators to visually inspect the train before dispatching it.
Ride rules also required that the back brake operator, Mr. Nathaniel, “observe the guests as it climbs the lift ensuring proper riding requirements.”
But during his police interview, Mr. Nathaniel said, “That is the job of the front operator.”
Shortly after the ride left the station, the child fell from the car. An unidentified witness seated in the car behind the group told investigators, “One moment he was there, the next moment he was gone.”
Hollie Geitner, a spokeswoman for Idlewild, said neither Mr. Zydonik nor Mr. Nathaniel is currently employed by the park.
“The park is implementing some additional changes to the training program because of this incident, and will also implement an enhanced auditing system based on input and recommendations from thirdparty industry experts,” Ms. Geitner said in a statement.
“We truly regret that this event occurred,” Mr. Leonatti said. “It was a tragic occurrence, the likes of which has never happened at Idlewild, and specifically never happened before on the Rollo Coaster, which has 78 years and millions of rider experiences with safe operation.”
Walt Remmert, director of the state’s Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards, said the report is intended to determine when the coaster may reopen and under what conditions. “This report is not intended to assign legal culpability,” he said.
He said the investigators also found fault with several maintenance and structural conditions including worn train hitches, track movement, and dirt and debris around track footings.
The new height requirements, per standards recommended by the ride’s maker, will be a minimum of 42 inches for all riders. Riders under 48 inches must be accompanied by an adult.
The report said that, as of March 1, operators and owners of similar rides across the state are encouraged to adopt the stricter height standards, which “have evolved over the years.”
“The standards are voluntary. They don’t have to do it,” Bonnie J. McCann, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, said of the other parks. “But we’re recommending these changes and improvements in secondary restraints. It’s a good idea.”