Universal Orlando fatality About This Page:

[Shell_of_the_South]

A man died after falling from the loading platform of The Mummy Ride at Universal Orlando.



http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...y23092304sep23,1,2603254.story?coll=orl-home-headlines



It appears that he had some other medical problems.



I thought this story might remind us to be cautious everywhere! Anyone could fall on those tracks if they're not careful.



I think you have to be registered to view the story at the Orlando Sentinel, so the above link may not work.

[my2girls]

I just got done reading this on the orlando paper website.

Kristine

[KT77]

can u copy/paste the article?? or is there another place to read it?

[KT77]

i found it.

Man Dies After Falling From Ride At Universal Orlando

POSTED: 6:12 am EDT September 23, 2004

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A man awaiting a liver transplant died after he fell onto the tracks of a ride at Universal Orlando theme park.


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Jose Valadez, 39, of Apopka, died Wednesday after surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a day after falling from the platform of the Revenge of the Mummy ride, said his wife, Paula Valadez. It was unclear how he fell.

After falling, he hit his head on the tracks and complained that his stomach hurt and he could not feel his leg, Orlando Fire Department Assistant Chief Greg Hoggatt said.

Universal was investigating the accident, park spokesman Tom Schroder said. He added that the ride did not malfunction and the accident occurred as Valadez started to board in the front row.

Doctors at the hospital later told Paula Valadez they had to operate on her husband to remove his spleen. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with hepatitis C, a liver disease that had sent him in search of a healthy organ, she said. The doctors told her the disease complicated the surgery.

She said she had no plans to sue Universal.

It was the first major accident on the Mummy since it opened in May and the second death at Universal Orlando in a year. Last September, a woman died at a hospital after passing out on the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

[chezp]

How sad. I didn't realise it was the second fatality in a year there.

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

[ QUOTE ]
How sad. I didn't realise it was the second fatality in a year there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Me either. How horrible for the families.

[DCLFANATiC]

Oh, that is so sad !

[Diz]

What a terrible thing. peace to the family and friends

[eliza]

That is such terribly sad news. I'm another who did not know there had been another fatality there this year. How horrible to have a fatal accident while on vacation!
I wonder what exactly happened...

[LisaJ]

My heart just aches when I read about things like this. Here is a man, in the prime of his life, just trying to enjoy a day out with his family, and away from other medical problems, and this occurs. It just breaks your heart.

[disneymom9092]

How awful.

[Tracy M.]

A very tragic situation.



Here's an post with the article reprint I found when I did a name search + Universal



http://www.disneycorner.com/modules....ic&p=85378



I rode the ride the day before this happened and didn't notice anything unusual about the loading area.

[TinkMulanMickeysMom]

Very sad. Teaches us to treat everyday like a gift.

[HiddenMickey]

What I find interesting about the articles about this in the Sentinal, is that they make it sound like the Mummy ride killed him right then and there. It seems like the real cause of death was complications from his disease during surgery. It is a terrible thing that happened.

-HiddenMickey

[Shell_of_the_South]

You're right HM. I read that an investigation determined Universal was not at fault. This man was in poor health and needed a wheelchair and evidently fell into the tracks. No ride malfunctions were a part of the accident.

I thought this might help remind us to play it safe!