Boy Remains In Critical Condition After Idlewild Roller Coaster Fall
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A little boy remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital after falling off a roller coaster at Idlewild Park.
According to police sources, the 3-year-old boy was ejected from the Rollo Coaster while riding with his six-year-old brother on Thursday. It happened on the last turn at the highest point, approximately 12 feet.
Sources say Declan McClain landed on the tracks near a fence, and that he was initially unresponsive and discolored. However, the boy was conscious when he was flown to Children's Hospital, and reportedly spoke to family members.
On Friday, Idlewild issued a statement saying the ride will remain closed indefinitely due to the ongoing investigation. The statement began with a wish of well-being for the toddler.
Our foremost thoughts and prayers continue to be with the young boy who was injured while riding the Rollo Coaster on Thursday.
The statement continued, in part:
The Rollo Coaster has been one of Idlewild's signature rides since opening in 1938. An incident such as what occurred yesterday has never happened before in the ride's 78-year history. The Rollo Coaster, like every ride and attraction at Idlewild & SoakZone, is inspected by the park's maintenance team, which includes state-certified inspectors, each day before opening to the public. Inspection Affidavits are shared with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the state agency responsible for inspecting and registering amusement park rides, every 30 days according to state regulations. The ride is also inspected by an independent safety consultant/third-party inspector annually.
Logan Hall, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division, spoke with Brenda Waters on the phone.
"Our staff is reviewing the maintenance records, operator training and the overall ride itself to try and determine the cause of the accident," he said.
A rider on the Rollo Coaster is required to be 4 feet tall to ride alone or 3 feet tall to ride with an adult.
Records show the Rollo Coaster was last inspected on Aug. 6.
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