A roller coaster struck a 38-year-old man at a Mason, Ohio, amusement park on Wednesday night, seriously injuring him.
The man had entered a restricted, walled section of the Kings Island theme park near the Banshee roller coaster “and is believed to have been struck by the ride” around 8 p.m., according to a park official.
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After responding to the situation, the park’s safety and first-aid staff transported the man to the hospital.
As of Thursday morning, authorities said the victim was still in critical condition.
According to Cincinnati ABC station WCPO, a witness reported that the man told a park staffer that he had lost something on the ride and needed to return to retrieve it.
The employee reportedly stated that he would be unable to do anything until the ride closed, but the man continued to stroll around the attraction and eventually passed through a restricted gate, according to WCPO.
The witness told WCPO that the man’s attire resembled that of park officials, leading several to believe he was an employee.
The park spokeswoman stated that the Banshee roller coaster will remain closed while officials investigate the event.
“Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family,” they informed us.
