WBandMe
03-12-2008, 03:17 PM
Six Flags is literally down the street from my house, yeesh.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/blotter/chi-great-america-deathmar12,1,378648.story
Worker at Great America dies after falling 40 feet
By Dan P. Blake
Tribune reporter
March 12, 2008
A worker trying to dismantle a ride Tuesday morning at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee died after falling more than 40 feet, officials said.
Thomas Lee, 46, of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., was part of a Campanella & Sons crew taking apart the Splash Water Falls ride at the theme park when he fell about 9 a.m., officials said.
Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said Lee suffered head and chest trauma in the accident.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation to see if appropriate safety measures were in place, Keller said.
Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Heraver said it appeared that the ride, in which a boat drops about 50 feet into water, was intact and structurally sound.
Lee was on top of the structure with a crew of about six to eight workers when the accident happened, Heraver said.
"We don't know how he fell -- he was working with the guys and they said he fell," Heraver said, possibly by sliding off or losing his footing. "Nobody really saw exactly what happened until it started to happen, we don't know if it was a slip, a trip or something gave way," Heraver said.
He said a harness was found attached to Lee's body, but he said it was unclear if it was properly secured while he was working.
Lee was rushed to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead, according to Keller.
Lee was working for a company that was removing the ride from the theme park, making way for future expansion, said Six Flags Great American spokeswoman Brooke Gabbert.
Gurnee Police Department officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
In June 2004, a Great America maintenance worker died after being struck by a roller coaster.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/blotter/chi-great-america-deathmar12,1,378648.story
Worker at Great America dies after falling 40 feet
By Dan P. Blake
Tribune reporter
March 12, 2008
A worker trying to dismantle a ride Tuesday morning at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee died after falling more than 40 feet, officials said.
Thomas Lee, 46, of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., was part of a Campanella & Sons crew taking apart the Splash Water Falls ride at the theme park when he fell about 9 a.m., officials said.
Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said Lee suffered head and chest trauma in the accident.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation to see if appropriate safety measures were in place, Keller said.
Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Heraver said it appeared that the ride, in which a boat drops about 50 feet into water, was intact and structurally sound.
Lee was on top of the structure with a crew of about six to eight workers when the accident happened, Heraver said.
"We don't know how he fell -- he was working with the guys and they said he fell," Heraver said, possibly by sliding off or losing his footing. "Nobody really saw exactly what happened until it started to happen, we don't know if it was a slip, a trip or something gave way," Heraver said.
He said a harness was found attached to Lee's body, but he said it was unclear if it was properly secured while he was working.
Lee was rushed to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead, according to Keller.
Lee was working for a company that was removing the ride from the theme park, making way for future expansion, said Six Flags Great American spokeswoman Brooke Gabbert.
Gurnee Police Department officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
In June 2004, a Great America maintenance worker died after being struck by a roller coaster.