Teen's Amusement Park Accident Results in Charges against Ride Operator

Orlando, FLWhen Teagan Marti woke up the day of her amusement park accident, she had no way of knowing what lay ahead for her. She couldn't possibly have known that the thrill of an amusement park ride would result in a horrific theme park accident, resulting in her being paralyzed and one ride operator facing charges. The 12-year-old couldn't have foreseen her terrible amusement park injury and the ensuing trauma. Like most 12-year-olds on their way to the amusement park, Marti was probably focused on having a fun day.

On July 30, 2010, Marti decided to go on the Extreme World Terminal Velocity. The ride operator, Charles Carnell, allegedly released Marti from the ride before the safety net was put in place. Marti dropped approximately 100 feet to the ground. Amazingly, she survived the ordeal but Marti was in critical condition, paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own following the accident. She may never walk again.

Riders on the Terminal Velocity Ride free-fall from approximately 140 feet up before landing in a net 40 feet off the ground. The net was not in place when Marti was dropped, causing her to fall all the way to the ground and resulting in 10 fractures in her back. Marti's father, Dr. Alex Marti, witnessed the accident and said he expected the platform to take Teagan to the top—Marti was released at approximately 100 feet but the fall normally starts at 140 feet. He noted that the crew on the ground did not have time to raise the net before his daughter was released in the free fall.

Carnell's attorney argued that his client did not know he was putting Marti in danger before the fall and requested the charge of criminal recklessness should be dismissed. The assistant district attorney, however, argued that Carnell knew a fall of that magnitude would cause serious bodily harm if safety mechanisms were not properly in place.

Carnell could face up to 25 years in prison and fines of $100,000 if convicted of felony criminal recklessness causing injury. According to a report by ABC News (08/05/10), the ride operator is supposed to check that the safety is in position and communicate with the ride attendant on the ground. In Marti's case, this did not happen.

Marti's family intends to file a lawsuit against Extreme World and possibly against the company that created the ride.

Although operator error has been blamed for the accident, Marti's lawyer told CBS News (08/03/10) that there was no failsafe, preventing the ride operator from releasing a rider prematurely. The attorney also told CBS News that Marti's father performed CPR, possibly saving her life.