Orange County Roller Coaster Closed After Man and 12 Year Old Injured

September 18, 2009 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports by amusement park accident attorneys, the Orange County Roller Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm was closed down after a man and 12 year old boy were injured.

The Xcelerator roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm malfunctioned Wednesday injuring a man and boy when a cable came loose. The man was treated for back injuries and the 12 year old boy had a cut to his leg. Both were transported to area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries according to Orange County Fire Authority spokesman George Casario.

Casairo also stated that the two were not related to each other. The man had to be extracted from his seat on the ride due to the back injuries he sustained during the malfunction. The 12 year old boy had a gash to the leg that reportedly occurred when the cable struck him.

Spokeswoman Meghan Gardner of Knott’s Berry Farm stated that the Xcelerator roller coaster was malfunctioned when a cable came loose, which shot debris in the air and there was smoke. Gardener when on to state that the riders cars rolled bake into the boarding area and two of the riders were injured, a 12 year old and an adult male.

The ride was shut down after the incident and will remained closed during an investigation by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

The roller coaster can seat as many as 20 passengers, but was not full at the time of the incident and it is reported that the Xcelerator is able to go from zero to 80 in 2.3 seconds. The Knott’s Berry Farm ride is inspected daily by the parks maintenance staff.