On Saturday, March 19, 2011, a miniature train at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina was carrying 20 passengers when it derailed and overturned into a creek. Six year old Benjamin Easler was killed and 12 others were injured as a result of the catastrophic accident.
This tragic train accident should have been prevented. Just three days earlier, on March 16, 2011, LLR inspector Donnie Carrigan both inspected and issued a permit to Cleveland Park which allowed them to operate the train and carry passengers. A copy of his report obtained from www.foxcarolina.com can be found here.
LLR director Catherine Templeton has issued a statement confirming that Mr. Carrigan falsified his report. Templeton told reporters that the inspector could not have tested the ride on March 16th because a battery in the train was dead, making it inoperable.
As evidenced in the report attached above, the 20 year LLR veteran confirmed proper speed and proper operation of the ride by attendants, including two operating cycles. Written statements made even more concerning given that the train’s conductor, Matthew Conrad, told police he was going too fast when he felt the train come off of the tracks. A copy of the incident report, also obtained from foxcarolina.com, can be found here.
Although the LLR inspector has since resigned, it does not change the fact that a child died and 12 others were injured when the train derailed.
As part of the ongoing investigation, investigators will likely examine the minimum and maximum speeds the train is capable of going as well as what occurred prior to the derailment. It is not known at this point whether the incident was caused by mechanical or human error. The Cleveland Park mini train, as well as every other mini train across the State of South Carolina, has been shut down until investigators can determine what went wrong.
According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) study conducted in 2003, approximately 3,000 injuries occur every year. Amusement park injuries can include severe lacerations, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, traumatic amputation, and even death.
LLR Inspections in South Carolina
The Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides is tasked with following regulations designed to guard against injuries in the assembly, disassembly and use of amusement devices at carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks. LLR’s licensed inspectors also issue operating permits. These permits must be renewed annually.
In addition to the annual permit requirements, ride owners are required to perform daily inspections. Prior to operating a ride which carries passengers, the owner must conduct or cause to be conducted a daily pre-opening inspection. Records identifying the individual who conducted the daily inspection must be kept for no less than three years.
Pursuant to South Carolina Regulation 71-4800, a special inspector for LLR shall have at least five years experience in amusement device maintenance and safety and completion of approved courses in materials inspection and testing and in fasteners or in the alternative; a four year college degree in engineering or architecture with a minimum of 12 semester hours of course work in the area of mechanics and strength of materials; and evidence of successful completion of an approved Rides Safety Inspection course within the previous two calendar years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the riders.
