Girl's feet severed on ride at Six Flags in Kentucky

[Figment50]

Girl's feet severed on ride at Six Flags in Kentucky
POSTED: 12:13 a.m. EDT, June 22, 2007

(CNN) -- A girl's feet were cut off Thursday when a free-fall thrill ride malfunctioned at the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Amusement Park in Louisville, Kentucky, police said.

A cord wrapped around the 16-year-old's feet and severed them at her ankles while she was on the "Superman Tower of Power," a police dispatcher said. The girl was taken to a local hospital.

An unidentified witness told CNN affiliate WLKY she saw a cable on the ride snap.

"The people on the ride just came and hit the ground," she said. "When I got up there, the lady she was just sitting there, and she didn't have no legs. ... And she was just there, calm, probably in shock from everything."

"That could have been all of us -- riding that ride," witness Whitney Sandfer told CNN affiliate WDRB/WMYO.

The incident took place shortly before 5 p.m. ET, according to Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg. The park remained open, but the ride in question was shut down and will remain so until the full investigation is complete, Goldberg said.

During the ride, passengers are lifted to 177 feet, suspended momentarily and then dropped, according to the park's Web site.

Passengers drop 154 feet at 54 mph, stopping "just 20 terrifying feet above the pavement," it adds.

"I seen the car go up. Then, like, the cable broke, I heard -- pwchh -- and I heard a lot of people screaming," Chris Stinnett, who was at a ride next to the Superman Tower of Power, told WDRB/WMYO.

"The cable went under the car -- and I seen it pull up and hit a lot of people -- and I seen them bring their legs up," Stinnett said.

The ride was introduced in 1995.

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I think what happen is really sad and think that some love from some open hearts and pixie dust should be sent to this poor girl and her family. I'll start sending right now.:

[snifflesmcg]

I know, isn't that terrible. I saw that on the news tonight.

[Figment50]

Yeah it is and that why I started this post figure the people involve good use some good sprit and something I notice and like about his site is everyone one here has a big heart and cares for everyone.

[disneydeb]

That's Horrrific! Bless her!

[little disney lovers]

That poor girl, What bad luck, Just in the wrong place at the wrong time and her whole life has changed. She's probably got months, if not years of recovery ahead of her and her entire world will never be the same again. I will be thinking of her and her family.

[T-Belle]

So sad!!!

[mrsgaribaldi]

My God, that is awful. The poor girl. Prayers and on the way.

[scottgr]

I send prayers and to this girl. How sad.

[tiggers_1]

& prayers for the girl and her family.

[ibrowse17]

Very sad, we wish her and her family the best.

[Bethis26fan]

That's so sad and scary. The only up side is at 16 she young enough with the things DR's can do now days she will probably still live a pretty normal life.

[thrillme]

That's so sad and scary. The only up side is at 16 she young enough with the things DR's can do now days she will probably still live a pretty normal life.

I thought she was 13?

No matter 13 or 16 it's horrible. My prayers are with her and her family.

I did hear something about the surgeons who preformed the first hand transplant are currently working on her. I pray it works.

[Christine]

Oh my goodness... how horrible! That just made my heart sink!

[luvdiznee]

Much prayer to her and her family as well!

[angedeaile]

Wow..how tragic!

Sadly, this only reassures my fear for rides like those....although I am sure horrible accidents could happen on even a gentler ride like Dumbo.

Either way, that is so sad and I will pray for her recovery

[murphy1]

This just makes me sick that this happened! We had something at a Six Flags here in Atlanta happen a couple years back on a coaster I believe. I seriously hope they found her feet b/c they can do some kind of reattachment surgery on many limbs now.

[Jasper]

What makes this doubly scary for me is that this park is only about an hour from where I live. I have been there several times myself and know a lot of other people who go there frequently. While I don't know the identity of who this girl was, it just points out how easily something horrible can happen to anyone at any time!!

My prayers are with the girl and her family!!

[BrerSchultzy]

This just makes me sick that this happened! We had something at a Six Flags here in Atlanta happen a couple years back on a coaster I believe. I seriously hope they found her feet b/c they can do some kind of reattachment surgery on many limbs now.

According to CNN, they did find her feet, and she is in surgery right now.

for a successful operation.

[merlinmagic4]

for that poor girl. That is terrifying. I don't know if I can ever send my kids on a thrill ride like that again.

[GrumpyFan]

Terrible accident. I pray they're able to help her.