MASON, Ohio — A man who apparently entered a restricted area to retrieve his lost keys at a theme park in Ohio was critically injured when he was struck by a steel roller coaster, police and park officials said.
According to a statement from amusement park officials, a guest went into a restricted area of the Banshee roller coaster and was believed to have been hit by the ride.
WCPO in Cincinnati reports that the guest, who was a 38-year-old man, told a greeter at the Banshee ride that he needed to get back on the ride because he lost something, according to a witness. The worker told the man there was nothing they could do until the ride closed.
The witness said the man continued to wander near the ride and eventually went through a restricted gate, WCPO reports.
The guest was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition, according to WCPO.
Kings Island officials said the ride will remain closed while authorities and park personnel conduct an investigation.
“Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family,” officials said in a statement.
Below is the full statement from Kings Island.
"On Wednesday at approximately 8:00 p.m., a guest entered a restricted, fenced area of the Banshee roller coaster and is believed to have been struck by the ride. The park’s safety and first aid personnel responded immediately to the situation and contacted local emergency responders. The guest was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The ride remains closed while local authorities and park personnel conduct an investigation.
Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family. There is no additional information to share at this time."