Ohio Man Hospitalized After Being Hit By Roller Coaster

A 38-year-old Ohio man was rushed to the hospital Wednesday night after being struck by the Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when the man entered a restricted, fenced area near the ride.

38-Year-Old Man Critically Injured After Being Hit by Roller Coaster at Kings Island

According to Mason police, the man was critically injured. A statement from Kings Island indicated that the individual was "believed to have been struck by the ride." Witnesses reported that the man had informed a greeter at the Banshee ride that he needed to retrieve a lost item. Despite being told by a worker that nothing could be done until the ride closed, the man continued to wander near the attraction.

A Deer In Headlights

The witness accounts suggest that the man, dressed similarly to Kings Island employees, was mistaken for a manager or worker. He eventually entered a restricted gate in an attempt to retrieve his lost keys. During the accident, a rider in the front row of the coaster reported hearing a sound akin to hitting a deer.

The injured man was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where his current condition remains unknown. "Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family," the park stated.

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Notifying Ride Inspectors

Following the incident, the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Amusement Ride Safety & Fairs was notified. Ride inspectors were dispatched to Kings Island on Thursday to conduct a thorough re-inspection and investigation of the Banshee roller coaster to ensure it was operating within Ohio's laws and safety regulations. The duration of the ODA's investigation has not been specified, and they deferred further questions to Kings Island.

The Banshee Roller Coaster

The Banshee, which opened in April 2014, is notable for its impressive statistics. The roller coaster is 4,124 feet long, includes seven inversions, and is heralded as the world's longest steel-inverted roller coaster. Reaching speeds up to 68 miles per hour, the ride features a 167-foot lift hill, a 150-foot curved first drop, and a series of thrilling elements such as a dive loop, vertical loop, zero-gravity roll, and more.

Kings Island has announced that the Banshee will remain closed while park personnel and local officials continue their investigation into the incident.