Teen Killed When Roller Coaster Slips

A 14-year-old boy was thrown from an amusement park ride and killed Sunday when a roller coaster car slipped backward and slammed into the car behind it. Two other teens were injured.

A car on The Wildcat ride at Bell’s Amusement Park was being pulled to the top when, just before reaching the crest, it slid down the coaster track and collided with another car, said Harry Baker, assistant fire chief.

Eyewitnesses said the 14-year-old boy who died was in the front car, and was ejected, hitting his head on one of the ride’s metal bars.

Two 14-year-old boys were in serious condition late Sunday at St. Francis Hospital, spokeswoman Lisa Ingram said. A father, two of his daughters and another young girl who was a family friend were treated at another hospital.

The ride operates on a metal track and uses single cars holding four people each. It is about four stories tall at its highest point.