Suit: Disney's Tower of Terror gave British teen heart attack, stroke

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business ... 8409.story

A British woman sued Walt Disney World on Wednesday, alleging that a disabling heart attack and stroke she suffered in 2005 were caused by riding on Disney's Tower of Terror.

Leanne Deacon, now 19, and her mother, June Deacon, both of Kibworth, England, filed the lawsuit in state Circuit Court in Orlando, seeking at least $15,000.

The thrill ride opened in 1994 in what is now called Disney's Hollywood Studios, with a theme based on the classic fantasy-suspense TV show The Twilight Zone. Visitors ride in a "hotel elevator" that zooms up, then plunges down, over and over.

Leanne Deacon rode it several times during a 2005 vacation, when she was 16.

Shortly after a ride on July 12, 2005, her heart stopped and she had a brain hemorrhage.

The Deacons accuse Disney of negligence in the ride's design and operation and in failure to adequately warn of risks or provide adequate safety restraints.

They also say Disney was operating the ride as a "common carrier" -- invoking a legal doctrine that would impose tougher liability standards in court than Florida theme-park companies usually are asked to meet regarding thrill-ride safety.

"The Defendant, acting as a common carrier, was required to use reasonable skill to provide everything necessary for safe transportation," the lawsuit asserts.

Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said the company could not respond to specifics because it had not yet seen the lawsuit.

However, Prunty said the ride was functioning properly at the time Deacon was riding it.

The Deacons' Orlando lawyer, Robert Melton, also would not comment.

After the 2005 incident, Disney World conducted a detailed inspection, monitored by state agents, of the Tower of Terror ride. It determined nothing had malfunctioned and then reopened the attraction.




Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

 

Sorry to say, but they ran out of money and think that Disney is the answer!

Oh Please!

 

Sad that it happened, but how can Disney be responsible? ;