Monorail Fatality at WDW

Ellory · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:08 am Post subject: Monorail Fatality at WDW

From WDWinfo.com

Monorail Accident at WDW
By Leah Zanolla
Jul 5, 2009

Two monorails collided early Sunday morning leaving one driver dead. Emergency services were called to the one of the monorail stops at 2 a.m. after receiving reports of two monorails colliding. Early reports suggest that the train was leaving Epcot and was arriving at the TTC. According to witnesses, one monorail ran into the back of a stationary train. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to the hospital, but did not have serious injuries. A family of six were the only passengers on the train. They had to be freed from the damaged car, but were uninjured. This is the first fatal accident in the monorail system's history. Officials are still working to determine the cause of the collision.
Epcot is scheduled to open on time, but the monorail to the park will not be in operation.
More details will be added as they are released.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the driver

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Monorail_Accident_at_WDW.htm

Ellory · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:26 am Post subject:

More details from the Orlando Sentinal:

By Sara K. Clarke

Sentinel Staff Writer

11:11 AM EDT, July 5, 2009

Two Walt Disney World monorail trains collided early Sunday morning, killing the operator of one of the trains.

Walt Disney World spokesman Mike Griffin said the crash happened at about 2 a.m. Sunday, on one of the monorail's last runs of the day.

Austin Wenneberg, 21, a Disney employee who was piloting one of the monorails died at the scene of the accident, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. One other employee was transported to Florida Hospital Celebration. The second driver's injuries were not serious, Griffin said.
The trains were transporting guests leaving Epcot. Six park guests were on the train during the crash, and were evaluated by paramedics at the scene according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

According to park schedules, Epcot closed Saturday at 10 p.m.

The wreck is the first fatal accident in the Walt Disney World monorail system's almost 38-year history, according to CFNews13.com. However, at Disneyland in California, there has been at least one death on the monorail system, according to park historians.

Walt Disney World officials said they are working with law enforcement officials to find out what happened.

"Our heart goes out to the cast member and the family," Griffin said.

Epcot is scheduled to open on time at 9 a.m. today, but the monorail to the park will not be in service, according to a Walt Disney World spokeswoman.

Walt Disney World released the following statement from Griffin regarding the incident:

"Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker. The safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and the approximate next steps."

ericpabear · Airport Utility Worker Joined: Nov 14, 2005 Posts: 200

Video
http://www.clickorlando.com/video/19956043/index.html
Pictures
http://www.clickorlando.com/slideshow/news/19955999/detail.html

jahosifatz · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:25 am Post subject:

Just saw this. That sucks.

Brownieboy69 · Gate Agent Joined: Jul 06, 2006 Posts: 860

Wow!!! I used to think the monorail and TTA were the safest rides in the parks...... Whats next?? Tiki Room???

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family Sad

Figmentathm · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:45 am Post subject:

This is especially bad press coming on the heels of the Metro crash and 2 crashes in Boston in the last few years.
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RavenStGermaine · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:40 am Post subject:

Only 21 years old. How sad.
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daguru · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:01 am Post subject:

Several different fan sites have come up with a possible reason for the accident, the best one is over at MiceAge (which includes POV photos to help illustrate the theory): http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky070609a.htm
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Brownieboy69 · Gate Agent Joined: Jul 06, 2006 Posts: 860

I just hope it doesn't come down to INATTENTIVENESS.. I mean texting or twittering would not be good....... Sad

daguru · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:21 am Post subject:

This article over at the Orlando Sentinel has a graphic that describes the theory on what caused the accident...
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WDWFan · Pilot Joined: Mar 01, 2006 Posts: 10863

This is truly a shame. On the positive, I am sure they will change procedures to prevent this going forward, but it is an awful way to have to decide they need to change the procedure.

I love the monorail as shown by my avatar on the side here (Thanks to Ellory...) and it is the one attraction my 5yr old son enjoys as much as I do.

GrumpyDaddy · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:28 am Post subject:

That is a terrible shame for the cast Member who lost his life.

I guess the only good thing is that that there weren't many guests onboard
and the few weren't hurt bad.

daguru · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:44 am Post subject:

The monorails have reopened, but as of right now, guests will no longer be able to sit in the front car of the train. This is probably for safety and so the pilots a break from tourists. Last thing you would want to do while driving is answering a bunch of questions from tourists, whether the questions are appropriate or not.
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WDWFan · Pilot Joined: Mar 01, 2006 Posts: 10863

Any idea if the front car ban is temporary or permanent?

daguru · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

Sounds like it is going to be temp, but nothing specifically...
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