MASON, Ohio — A 38-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio on Wednesday night.
Authorities from the Mason Police Department reported that the man, who is an Ohio resident, entered a restricted area surrounding the Banshee roller coaster at around 8 p.m. and was subsequently hit by the ride.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the injured individual had informed a ride attendant at the Banshee that he needed to retrieve something he had lost. However, park staff members had informed him that he would have to wait until the ride closed. Undeterred, the man continued to wander near the ride and eventually accessed a restricted gate. Witnesses noted that he was dressed similarly to Kings Island employees, causing some confusion about his identity.
According to Mason police, the man had been attempting to recover his lost keys.
The injured person was quickly transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Their current condition remains unknown.
“Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family,” the park stated.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Ride Safety & Fairs was notified by Kings Island on Wednesday evening, prompting department ride inspectors to arrive on-site the following day for a thorough examination of the Banshee roller coaster.
The department stated that its inspectors are conducting a comprehensive re-inspection of the ride and will also investigate whether it was operating in compliance with Ohio’s laws and regulations.
No specific timeline has been provided for the completion of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s investigation, and any questions regarding the case are being directed to Kings Island.
Situated near the “Xtreme Skyflyer,” the Banshee roller coaster covers a distance of 4,124 feet, making it the world’s longest steel-inverted roller coaster since its opening in April 2014. It includes seven inversions and can reach speeds of up to 68 miles per hour over its three-minute duration.
Park officials have decided to keep the Banshee roller coaster closed until further notice while conducting a thorough investigation, in conjunction with local authorities.