The teen who was killed by a roller coaster when he jumped over a pair of fences and entered a closed area on Saturday in Six Flags Over Georgia has been located.
Cobb County Police identify the victim as 17-year-old Asia Leeshawn Ferguson of Columbia.
The incident took place at around 2.30 p.m. on Saturday. Ferguson made up an ensemble from Oakey Spring Baptist Church in Springfield that had been visiting the park.
According to the park’s spokesperson, Hela Sheth teenagers took on two fences with a height of six feet, which were clearly indicated by the signs which read”Danger” in addition to “Do not enter.” He was with a different friend at the time.
At an opportune moment, the coaster struck the victim.
Cobb County Police Spokesman Sgt. Dana Pearce says it does appear that there was adequate warning of the danger. “It is difficult to imagine how someone could not be able to read these signs and then walk through both fences.”
Nobody else was hurt.
“We observed everyone running and then they shut it(the space) with security guards as well as everyone belonging to the area,” says Demetris Garmon an avid park-goer who was a witness to the aftereffects.
It’s unclear why the teenagers were not allowed to enter the main entry point. Police are investigating whether the teen entered the restricted zone to find a hat that which he dropped during a ride on the coaster.
The Batman roller coaster has been operating at Six Flags Over Georgia since 1997.
The incident occurred in May of 2002. 58-year-old groundskeeper Samuel Milton Guyton of Atlanta was killed after he was spotted in a restricted space under the Batman roller coaster’s track and was struck on the head by the hanging legs of one ride’s riders. The ride was shut for a few hours to let officials from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to check the ride. The ride was deemed safe for the passengers.
A young girl’s legs were broken when cables broke on the Superman Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Ky. Doctors were able reconnect Kaitlyn Lasitter’s left foot however she was required to have a portion parts of her left leg removed and subsequently undergo surgeries.
Officials from the state blame malfunctioning cable and a slow response by the operator of an amusement park for the crash. Her family is now suing Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, contending that the park did not keep the ride in good condition and to maintain the equipment and ensure safety for riders. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom has denied responsibility in court documents.
