01 April 2010 by Pittsburgh Disney Travel Examiner - Debra Peterson
This afternoon at approximately 1:45 p.m., a 10-year old boy was killed after being struck by a bus near Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds on Walt Disney World, according to breaking-news reports by the Orlando Sentinel and WESH.
According to Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes, the boy, whose name has not been released, died at the scene of the accident. He was hit while riding his bicycle near the Fort Wilderness resort. The FHP and Reedy Creek Fire Rescue are currently investigating the accident.
Disney spokesperson Andrea Finger offered condolences to the boy's family on behalf of the the parks.
"We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the boy's family and loved ones for their loss. We are currently providing the necessary resources and care to help the family with the situation," Finger said.
The fatality is the latest in a series of accidents involving Walt Disney World transportation.
On March 23, a Walt Disney World bus rear-ended a charter bus near the Epcot toll plaza. That accident injured 8 people, including the Disney bus driver who has been charged with careless driving.
Last July, two Walt Disney World buses were involved in a collision in front of the Contemporary Resort. That accident resulted in 12 people being hospitalized with minor injuries.
Also last July, a monorail accident in which two trains struck each other and killed one of the pilots, 21-year old Austin Wuennenberg. The accident was the result of an incomplete track shift, which caused the two trains to travel on the same track. The victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Disney.
The monorail accident, the first in its 38 years of operation, resulted in close scrutiny of Disney’s work environment and operations. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Disney more than $35,000 for safety violations. The investigation results from the National Transportation Safety Board are pending.
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