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Posted at 9:23 AM EDT (1323 GMT)
Jul. 15th, 2008 -- A Bulgarian man working at the Star Jet roller coaster at Casino Pier in New Jersey was struck by the coaster Sunday when he entered a restricted area to get a child’s hat. The worker is being kept alive by life support at a local hospital.
"He was trying to do something nice for a child," said Marilou Halvorsen, a spokeswoman for the Casino Pier, one of two amusement ride areas on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.
Details of the accident remain sketchy, and police referred all inquiries to the Casino Pier spokeswoman. Halvorsen said it appeared that Stanislav Dragnev was walking underneath or alongside the roller coaster tracks when one of the cars struck him in the head, grievously injuring him.
The ride remained closed Monday pending completion of an investigation by local police and the state Department of Community Affairs, which regulates and inspects all carnival rides in New Jersey.
Chris Donnelly, a spokesman for the department, said the ride was last inspected March 8 and found to be working properly. Inspectors will try to determine whether the ride malfunctioned Sunday, and whether it is still working properly after the accident, he said.
For more information visit International Herald Tribune.
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CHILLERLC1
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7799
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I lost my wallet on this ride last year. It was quite surprising. It must have been the openness of the train. Worried that I was and walking around the pier afterwards to check other rides I returned and the staff found my wallet. They must have went during cycles. This is a shame. The guy meant to be nice, the timing was bad. Perhaps a power shutdown was needed or a very strict "No retrieving til 10" rule. I would have been in bigger trouble without my wallet though.
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| 7/15/2008 9:59 AM |
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OuTbReAk525
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1
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I am a ride operator at Casino Pier. I knew the guy firsthand. He was the most outgoing and friendly Bulgarian you'll ever meet. And he was also really a hard worker. All of us at Casino Pier are really upset, and are praying for him. His roommates are a wreck.
BEST OF LUCK STAN.
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| 7/15/2008 11:18 AM |
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imakecoasters
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 380
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I too hope he gets well soon. I do feel bad for him, but people should start learning from these things. Entering ride zones= Bad idea. We've had 2 of these happen in a short time period.
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| 7/15/2008 11:25 AM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11834
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I feel horrible for the man and i hope he makes a speedy recovery but i must ask, Why didn't he shut down the coaster before entering the area.
Employees should know better.
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| 7/15/2008 12:31 PM |
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Canobie Coaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 414
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These accidents just happen so often where an employee is killed by the ride he operates. Parks really need to stress their safety I guess while teaching them.
Always sad to see someone pass like this, especially someone who sounds so nice and outgoing like Stan. You can't blame the guy for his kindness, but just a better retrieving policy better be instituted at this park and many parks around the country.
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| 7/15/2008 8:22 PM |
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Mohead
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
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Thats actually a sad and heartwarming story. I totally know about wanting a hat back. My heart goes out to the mans family.
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| 7/15/2008 9:32 PM |
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CHILLERLC1
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7799
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The man passed on I read elsewhere. That's really unfortunate.
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| 7/17/2008 10:01 PM |
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trackwalker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 272
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I worked on a wooden roller coaster. A ride operator's place is in the station only. They should not be allowed anywhere out where the coaster is operating. A train can crest a hill and be up on you without you having a chance of escape. Even maintenance men should not be on the track while a train is running. Always shut the ride down before walking the track. Foreign workers, especially, should never be allowed to be near the track of a fast moving train. Their place is in the station, nowhere else. You simply can't hear a train coming with all the park noise and even if you could hear it, they travel so fast that you can't escape if you're near the track.
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| 7/18/2008 9:55 AM |
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