‘We hit something!': Police identify man hit by roller coaster at Kings Island

by David Winter, WKRC
Thu, June 20th 2024 at 7:53 PM
Updated Fri, June 21st 2024 at 6:54 PM

MASON, Ohio (WKRC) - A man is fighting for his life after a tragic accident at Kings Island. … Arntanaro Nelson from Ohio is in critical condition after getting hit by a passing coaster in a restricted area of the park. … Local 12 spoke with an employee, who said they were at the ride when the accident happened. The employee spoke under conditions of anonymity. They said there's little the park or the employees can do if a guest wants to break the rules and go into a restricted area.

“Things aren't as important as your life. It can wait,” said the employee. “There’s a reason you’re not supposed to go back to those areas, and it isn't worth it to try and circumvent the security measures because they’re there for a purpose. It can get really dangerous really fast.”

It appears that's exactly what happened at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island. The employee was at Banshee when Nelson, along with two children, approached the greeter at the entrance of the ride. … “They had lost their keys and said that they needed to retrieve them because they needed to leave,” said the employee. “And the person up front told them that they couldn't do that right now. That they will have to wait until the park closes, and then we can get them to you at lost and found.”

But Nelson, who appeared agitated, returned to the line and then disappeared. A few minutes later, the employee said riders returned to the station screaming.

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