Deadly Disney World Monorail Crash-Updated with NTSB Report

[DisneyAndRedSox]

From local 6 news website

At 2am Sunday morning, Reedy Creek Emergency Services responded to a call at the Ticket and Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom. Two monorails collided. 8 people were evaluated total following the crash. One monorail driver was killed. The other driver is fine physically. There were 5 to 6 guests on the monorail at the time of the crash. Disney World Public Relations tells Local 6 that they will release more information later this morning. They are on scene right now gathering information about the incident.

A witness tells Local 6 that he heard a huge crashing noise when the monorails collided. He was able to get pictures and video of frazzled guests walking off the train.

Another report indicates that a moving pink train hit a stationary purple train.

Local 6 has obtained dramatic pictures from the scene of the crash. Stay with Local 6 for more information about this crash.

Video Taken Immediately After The Collision (MAYBE BE SLIGHTLY DISTURBING TO SOME MEMBERS): http://www.clickorlando.com/video/19956043/index.html

[clou1028]

I am so sorry for the driver's family. How tragic.

[Ian]

I can't imagine how this could possibly happen. There had to be a serious software failure somewhere or something, because on the times we've ridden up front and gotten the "grand tour" of how the monorails work we were told that they're basically prevented by computer from getting too close to one another.

To think that they could not only crash, but crash at speed ... that's pretty darn scary considering the people who drive them get minimal training.

[DizneyRox]

If memory serves me correctly, we had some discussions over the monorails a while back. Someone mentioned that if they get too close, the monorail automatically performs some sort of hard stop. It pretty much locks up the wheels, which would be extremely jarring to those aboard.

If that's the case, this would appear to have to be some sort of mechanical failure.

I'll leave it at that...

*EDIT* Ian beats me again! I am irked!

[Skippy]

How could this happen?

I was just on the monorail a day or two before explaining to my wife about the MAPO system.

I had heard of one time where one pilot contorted himself to do a MAPO override and finagled one of the relays in the control box.

Will be interesting to see what happened here.

[Melanie]

From cfnews13

Disney Monorail Crash Kills Driver

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- News 13 has learned a driver of the Walt Disney World Monorail System was killed when two monorail trains collided early Sunday.

Witnesses who called the News 13 newsroom said the trains collided around 2 a.m. Sunday on the Epcot track of the Transportation and Ticket Center, located at the parking lot of the Magic Kingdom, as guests were leaving the park following a Fourth of July fireworks show.

The Reedy Creek Fire Department told News 13 the driver was pronounced dead on the the scene, and another driver was taken to the hospital.

No guests were injured, fire officials said.

There was no immediate word on what caused the wreck, or how many people were aboard the trains when they collided.

According to witnesses, one monorail train slammed into the back of the other.

Crews had to cut the driver who died out of the train.

Sunday’s wreck marks the first fatal accident in the Walt Disney World Monorail System’s nearly 38 years of operation.

Statement from Disney
Mike Griffin, vice president of public affairs at Walt Disney World, issued the following statement Sunday following the wreck:

“Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and those who have lost a friend and coworker. The safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and the appropriate next steps.”

Disney officials told News 13 Epcot is scheduled to reopen on time at 9 a.m., but the monorail to the park will remain out of service until further notice.

Monorail System Facts
The Walt Disney World Monorail system debuted when the resort first opened in 1971 with two routes.

In 1982, the system expanded to three lines as Epcot first opened.

The entire monorail system currently comprises 14.7 miles of track, transporting about 50 million guests every year between the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and various Disney resorts.

Previous Monorail Accidents
1974
A monorail train crashed into the train ahead of it, injuring a driver and two guests.

June 26, 1985
A fire engulfed the rear car of a monorail train in transit from Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center. The train was carrying 240 passengers, 40 of whom were in the burning car.

Passengers in the car kicked out side windows and climbed around the side of the train to reach the roof, where they were subsequently rescued by the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

Seven passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries.

Aug. 30, 1991
A monorail train collided with a diesel maintenance work tractor near Disney’s Contemporary Resort as the tractor drove closely in front of the train to film it for a commercial. Two cast members were treated at a hospital for injuries.

Aug. 12, 1996
An electrical fire broke out on a train pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. The driver and the five passengers onboard exited safely.

[d_m_n_n]

How sad for the driver, their family, and all who witnessed this awful tragedy...

[clou1028]

I can't imagine how this could possibly happen. There had to be a serious software failure somewhere or something, because on the times we've ridden up front and gotten the "grand tour" of how the monorails work we were told that they're basically prevented by computer from getting too close to one another.

To think that they could not only crash, but crash at speed ... that's pretty darn scary considering the people who drive them get minimal training.

I was wondering that myself. I have never had a ride in the front but I seem to remember somewhere along the way learning about the monorails safety measures, such as timing and sensors that they pass over. It makes me wonder how it all failed.

[Daisy'sMom]

My neighbor just told me the news while I was walking the dog. This is so sad. I am praying for the family, for the co workers and the guests that were on the monorail when this happened. How tragic.

[vizsla]

This is just such terrible news. Prayers for the drivers family.

[wedoada]

Here is a link with a couple of pics of the accident.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2200-Orlan...st-Member-dead

Our thoughts and prayers go to the driver's family, friends and co-workers.

[goofygirl67]

I thought there were safety measures also for the monorail. We never seemed to come close to any other monorail when I have been on them. Hopefully there wasn't too many people on board. I am surprised no guests were with the driver, I thought that was the best when I went.

[Horizon93]

This is very sad news. I too, can't understand how this could have happened.

[kathiep]

How terrible for this CM's family. It will be interesting to follow the story to see what went wrong here.

[DunkinNut]

So so sorry to hear this.......prayers.

[Ian]

Wow ... those pictures give you an idea of just how the poor driver was killed. Monorail Pink appears to have, basically, completely penetrated the driver's compartment of Monorail Purple.

Shudder ..........

[Jimenyfan]

So sad, prayers are being sent to the CM's family.

[LandFan]

Wow. What awful news to wake up to! So sad.

[iheartdisney]

So tragic. I hate it when horrible things happen at my most favorite, magical place in the world. My prayers go to the CM's family.

[Marker]

This is simply aweful. Hope they can soon determine the cause, and implement any necessary system improvements to prevent this from ever happening again.