News: Disney employee suffers fatal fall from ride platform

Posted at 4:49 PM EST (2149 GMT)

Nov. 30th, 2007 -- According to Disney officials, a 63 year-old Disney employee fell from a ride platform this past weekend at the Animal Kingdom. She died five days after the accident that happened on the Primeval Whirl roller coaster. The woman fell and hit her head after stepping into a restricted area on a platform and was hit by a moving car.

County officials said that the woman was conscious, alert and talking when initially treated after her fall, but her condition deteriorated. Sheriff spokesman Jim Solomons stated that "there's absolutely no indication there was a criminal act that precipitated the injury."

According to Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the ride on the Thursday, November 29th. Polak continuned, "Our sympathies are with the family and we have offered our support through this very difficult time."

Primeval Whirl opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom in March of 2002. This has been Disney's ninth reported death since 2001.

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