Investigation into Disney World Monorail Accident Concludes
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Officials have determined that a lack of safety protocols lead to a 2009 monorail accident at Walt Disney World, which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old park employee, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The two-and-a-half year investigation concluded in October.
In 2009, one of the monorails was traveling in reverse on the track and slammed into another one, resulting in the wrongful death of 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg. The 14-page report cited two employees as the primary cause. The park was also found to be at fault to some degree, the report says “Walt Disney World Resort’s lack of standard operating procedures leading to an unsafe practice when reversing trains,” which was determined to be a factor. The accident caused $24 million in property damage.
“Day-in and day-out, we review safety procedures throughout our resort and continuously look for ways to improve our operations,” says Greg Hale, chief safety officer of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We have been working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board during their review of our monorail operations and we have already enhanced our system. We have just received the NTSB’s brief and it does not offer any further recommendations.”
The report made recommendations for the Walt Disney World to improve safety, including employee training. Do you think the appropriate action was taken here? Who is more responsible, the employee or the theme park?
Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorney.