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Show Lagoon accident changes maintenance procedures By MARK fcDDINGTON Staff Writer FARMTNGTON An accident which fractured the arm of rider on a roller coaster last week has prompted promp-ted Lagoon officials to review and change maintenance procedures on the ride. Frank Greco, 18, of Elko, Nev., suffered lacerations and a fractured arm after being struck by a 2-by-6 inch wooden board which served as support strut. "As far as we can tell the wood vibrated itself loose. We're acting on the matter as if that was the case," said Lagoon Public Relations Director Richard Andrew. The accident has prompted park officials to change maintenance procedures on the roller coaster. Andrew said workers would place metal reinforcing pipe over the joints which connect the wooden struts to prevent further accidents. Andrew said Greco vas struck by the beard on the ' ioAer level at the west end of the coaster. Paramedics from the county sheriffs department took the victim to " Bountiful Lakeview Hospital, where the victim underwent minor surgery and was released. Built in 1921, the roller coaster was gutted by fire during the 50s and has seen extensive remodeling through the years. The ride still conforms to the configurations con-figurations of the original coaster, but Andrew said the parts which made up the original coaster have all been replaced. "Nothing like this has ever happened on the wooden roller coaster before," he said. Lagoon has a work crew specifically assigned to maintain the coaster. Besides normal year-round upkeep and repair, Andrew said workers conduct visual inspections of the coaster daily. Once the joints are reinforced. Lagoon officials say it is unlikely that the problem will ever happen again. |
