DEATH at the Magic Kingdom .... again.

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Disney worker killed by parade float
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 2:33 AM EST (0733 GMT)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) -- A costumed Disney World employee was run over and killed by a float during a parade at the Magic Kingdom.
The death occurred in a backstage area near the Splash Mountain ride Wednesday afternoon, said Jim Solomons, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley said Javier Cruz, 38, of Orlando, was about to enter the park when he was hit, and she wasn't sure if any visitors witnessed what happened. She said Cruz had worked at the park since 1995 and was the Pluto character in the parade.
Sheriff's spokesman Carlos Torres said the investigation showed the death was accidental. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also was investigating.
In 1999, a worker in the loading area of the Skyway ride fell to his death, and OSHA fined the park $4,500 for what it called a serious safety violation. The ride was closed later that year.

i'm surprised this made it to the AP. Normally, Disney is adept at keeping such things quiet.

― Kingfish Beatbox Botox Funktion (Kingfish), Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I was really hoping this was going to be more along the lines of "DISTURBED ADOLESCENT DRIVEN TO INSANITY FROM THE HEAT WITHIN HIS 'MR. TOAD' COSTUME GOES ON RAMPANT KILLING SPREE THEN DROWNS SELF IN A FIT OF PEAK WITHIN THE 'PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN' RIDE"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:06 (twenty-two years ago)

we can but dream

― chris (chris), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley said Javier Cruz, 38, of Orlando, was about to enter the park when he was hit, and she wasn't sure
if any visitors witnessed what happened.

Nice to know the company's priorities.

― My Huckleberry Friend (Horace Mann), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

apparently, they closed down "Mr Toad's Wild Ride". They can burn, for all i care now.

― Kingfish Beatbox Botox Funktion (Kingfish), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is still at Disneyland. I took a picture (yes, with flash) of the psychedelic part after you get hit by the train.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:35 (twenty-two years ago)

is it? i heard they closed it down, or at least the one as Disneyworld

― Kingfish Beatbox Botox Funktion (Kingfish), Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I was on it less than a month ago when I was in The OC. I went on it 2x! It's one of my favorites.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Again? Makes me wonder if a Wicked Witch has cussed the "Happiest Place on Earth". It's enough to make Tinkerbell shudder.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Me too. Wholeheartedly.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:31 (twenty-two years ago)

A rampant killing spree which didn't actually involve killing anybody with the possible exception of Michael Eisner.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:33 (twenty-two years ago)

(though it's just occurred to me that the fact that it was Pluto who rolled a seven may be some kind of karmic comment on his negligible contribution to the Mickey Mouse 'n' chums oeuvre)

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:34 (twenty-two years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.