In a tragic incident on Thursday, a 6-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after falling from the Galaxy Spin roller coaster at Fun Spot America, located near Kissimmee, Florida. The theme park has taken immediate action by closing down the ride pending an investigation conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS).
Emergency services responded to the distressing scene to find the young boy with traumatic injuries beneath the roller coaster track, which stood approximately 20 feet above ground level. He was swiftly transported to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for medical attention, and the current status of his condition remains undisclosed.
Fun Spot America released a statement expressing their commitment to cooperate fully with the FDACS and the ride’s manufacturer in order to determine the cause of the accident. They stated that the FDACS inspection concluded that the ride was in normal operating condition, with no mechanical issues detected. The company affirmed that all safety procedures and guidelines specified by the manufacturers and industry standards were followed during the operation of the Galaxy Spin roller coaster.
The Galaxy Spin, described as a “wild mouse-style type coaster” on Fun Spot’s website, is known for producing heavy G-forces as riders experience sharp corners on the ride. According to the Roller Coaster DataBase, which tracks roller coaster statistics worldwide, the ride features single-car trains that accommodate four riders arranged in a single row. To ride the roller coaster, children must be at least 48 inches tall, or 42 inches if accompanied by an adult.
The database further reveals that the Galaxy Spin reaches a total height of 42.7 feet and reaches speeds of approximately 29.1 mph. Typically, the ride lasts for about a minute and 30 seconds, generating a G-Force of around 2.5.
Fun Spot America has made a public assurance that the ride will not reopen until they are absolutely certain that such an incident will not recur. The company’s primary focus is the safety of their guests, and they are working diligently with authorities to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent future accidents.
Both Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS and Fun Spot America have yet to respond to further requests for comment on the matter.
