Big Thunder Mountain Kills 1, Injures 10
On the morning of September 5, one man was killed and 10 were injured on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Click here for LaughingPlace.com's initial coverage of the accident include a complete transcript of the Michael Eisner / Jay Rasulo press conference.
- Two 'Witch Mountain' vets return - Hollywood Reporter (4/29/2008)
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann will return for cameo roles in Disney's upcoming "Witch Mountain" films. - Woman Hurt in Ride's Fatal Crash Sues Disney - Los Angeles Times (12/1/2004)
The Los Angeles Times reports Christina Alvarado who was one of the 10 passengers injured in the fatal Big Thunder crash has filed suit alleging negligence.
Free registration required to view - Human error cited in ride crash - The OC Register via MSNBC (4/7/2004)
The OC Register via MSNBC offers an account of the weekend collision on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The attraction vehicles were empty and the computer system that prevents collisions had been set to manual. - Coaster Victim's Parents Question Reopening of Ride - Los Angeles Times (3/15/2004)
The March 13th Los Angeles Times talks with the Torres family about the reopening of Disneyland's Big Thunder Railroad which took the life of their family member, Marcelo. The Times also offers comments from Disney officials about the attraction's safety.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland Rail Ride is Reopened - (3/11/2004)
Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened yesterday after the state completed its safety review after the 2003 fatality. The state ordered the park to retrain maintenance workers after the September 5th crash. Two bolts on the train's left guide wheel assembly fell off, causing the crash.
Free registration required to view - 'Marcelo is always there' - Orange County Register (12/31/2003)
The December 28th Orange County Register talks with the family of Marcelo Torres, the young man who was killed on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. - Disneyland Accident Correction - Los Angeles Times (12/2/2003)
The Los Angeles Times offers a correction to Friday's article about Disneyland visitors responses to the report that found Disney at fault in Big Thunder's fatal accident.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland Patrons Keep the Faith Despite Fault-Finding State Report - Los Angeles Times (12/1/2003)
The November 28th Los Angeles Times talks with Disneyland park guests about their feelings in light of the report that faulted Disneyland for the deadly accident aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Free registration required to view - Report to fault Disney - Orange County Register (11/26/2003)
The November 26 Orange County Register reports Disney senior vice president Leslie Goodman has stated, "the accident was caused by incorrectly performed maintenance tasks required by Disneyland policy and procedures that resulted in a mechanical failure." DOSH's investigation is ongoing and could result in significant changes to safety procedures.
Free registration required to view - Disney Takes Blame on Ride Upkeep - Los Angeles Times (11/26/2003)
The November 26th Los Angeles Times offers comments from the lawyer representing the family of Marcelo Torres, the young man who died in the Big Thunder Mountain accident.
Free registration required to view - Safety at Disneyland - Los Angeles Times (11/17/2003)
The November 15th Los Angeles Times letters to the Times offers the concerns of one long time Disney fan in light of recent reports on Disneyland maintenance.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland's Ride Upkeep Criticized by Park Workers - Los Angeles Times (11/10/2003)
The November 9th Los Angeles Times discusses Disneyland park workers concerns over maintenance policies.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland Workers: Ride Had Odd Noise - (10/3/2003)
Anaheim Police have concluded their investigation into the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad accident and have released a report. Other state investigations continue.
Free registration required to view - Disney crash reports released - Orange County Register (10/3/2003)
The October 3rd Orange County Register offers the findings of the Anaheim Police Department. - Family, Friends Celebrate Life of Man Killed at Disneyland - Los Angeles Times (9/15/2003)
The September 13th Los Angeles Times talks with the family and friends of Marcelo Torres, who died in the Big Thunder Railroad accident.
Free registration required to view - Disney Changes Its Attitude - Los Angeles Times (9/15/2003)
The September 14th Los Angeles Times discusses the legislation that was put into effect following the tragic Columbia sailing ship accident.
Free registration required to view - Service is today for man killed at Disneyland - Orange County Register (9/12/2003)
The September 12th Orange County Register reports the funeral service for Marcelo Torres will be held at 10:30a at Torrance's Nativity Church. - Man Killed at Disneyland Bled to Death, Autopsy Says - Los Angeles Times (9/10/2003)
The September 10th Los Angeles Times reports Marcelo Torres bled to death after suffering blunt force trauma of the chest during Friday's accident aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland accident victim's family to hire investigators - Associated Press (9/10/2003)
The September 10th Associated Press announces Marcelo Torres' family has hired private investigators they hope are able to join the state, Anaheim and theme park representatives in investigating the accident. - Thunderous Consequences - MiceAge (9/10/2003)
MiceAge columnist Kevin Yee takes a look at the how the accident affects Disneyland now and how it may affect it in the future. - Finally, Eisner, Davis Get Real - (9/10/2003)
LA Times columnist Dana Parsons examines Michael Eisner's response to the tragic death at Disneyland.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland Handled Tragedy Far Differently Than in the Past - Los Angeles Times (9/9/2003)
The September 9th Los Angeles Times describes the differences between Disney's handling of the tragic death involving the Columbia sailing ship and their actions following the deadly accident aboard Big Thunder Mountain railroad on Friday.
Free registration required to view - Disneyland Rider's Room Becomes Refuge for Grieving - Los Angeles Times (9/9/2003)
The September 8th Los Angeles Times describes the scene of grief at the home of the deceased Marcelo Torres.
Free registration required to view - Editor's Report - LaughingPlace.com (9/9/2003)
Doobie's thoughts on the accident. - Covering the Coverage - Jim Hill Media (9/8/2003)
Looking back on how other folks handled this past Friday's Big Thunder Mountain accident, Jim Hill gives high marks to MousePlanet and LaughingPlace.com, expresses some disappointment with his old boss, Al Lutz ... then actually finds something nice to say about Disney Company management. - Drive for Safe Rides Had a Few Twists - Los Angeles Times (9/8/2003)
The September 7th Los Angeles Times talks with Kathy Fackler whose son David was injured aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 1998.
Free registration may be required to view - Disneyland Rider Dies as Train Cars Break Free - (9/8/2003)
September 6th article offers an overview of the events surrounding Friday's accident including on the scene accounts and offers a general timeline of Disneyland accidents.
Free registration required to view - After the Crash, Questions - Los Angeles Times (9/8/2003)
The September 7th Los Angeles Times talks with Vicente Gutierrez who was injured in the accident on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad about his memories of the event and his friend Marcelo Torres who died that day.
Free registration required to view - Tokyo Disneyland resumes roller coaster - (9/8/2003)
Tokyo Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain resumed operations Sunday morning. - Hospital releases rider hurt at Disney - Orange County Register (9/8/2003)
The September 8th Orange County Register reports forensic teams completed their on-site work Saturday and Vicente Gutierrez of Wilmington was released from UCI Medical Center. - Mechanical Failure Suspected in Accident at Disneyland - DPA (9/7/2003)
Report quotes Cal-OSHA's acting director as saying, "I'm assuming it was some kind of mechanical failure" - Investigators Probe Killer Disneyland Ride - Washington Post (9/7/2003)
Brief report of Friday's events and discusses Disney's continuing efforts to revive its domestic parks business. - Disney's Statement on Big Thunder Accident - Disneyland Resort (9/5/2003)
Official statement by Cynthia Harriss on the morning of the Big Thunder Mountain accident. - Continuing Coverage of Big Thunder Accident - (9/5/2003)
Various reports from the first weekend of the Big Thunder Mountain accident including a transcript of the press conferences with Disney CEO Michael Eisner and the Disney's President of Theme Parks and Resorts Jay Rasulo. - Man Is Killed in Ride Accident at Disneyland - New York Times (9/5/2003)
Report quotes Sgt Rick Martinez of Anaheim Police Dept, "At this point we don't believe sabotage was involved, but we are going to look at everything."