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13-Year-Old Kaitlyn Lasitter's Feet Were Cut Off

May 14, 2008 7:38 AM

The ride is called the SUPERMAN TOWER OF POWER.  It is described as a "stomach-wrenching thrill ride that lifts passengers 176 feet straight up, pauses, and then plunges them down at 50 miles an hour."  On June 21, 2007, 13 year old Kaitlyn Lasitter and her friends decided to experience the thrill.  When they were about 20 feet in the air, pieces of cable began beating against their necks, arms and faces.  One of the 10 cables snapped, wrapped around Kaitlyn's legs and cut off both her feet.

An investigation by the state of Kentucky concluded, among other things, that maintenance workers at SIX FLAGS KENTUCKY KINGDOM failed to properly care for and lubricate the 10 cables that lift the Superman Tower of Power.  Eight months after the accident Six flags Kentucky Kingdom shut the ride down.

Kaitlyn is now 14.  She has one reattached foot and one prosthesis.  She is frequently in pain and suffers from depression.  Her parents, Randy and Monique have quit their jobs to take care of their maimed daughter. 

There are NO FEDERAL REGULATIONS that cover "fixed-site" amusement park rides like the Superman Tower of Power.  Rep. Ed Markey wants to change that.  Kaitlyn and her parents want to help him.  They will appear with the Massachusetts Democrat at a news conference this morning to talk about his legislation.

May 14, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0)

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