Raptor reopens day after coaster kills man

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comCedar Point roller coaster Raptor reopened late Friday afternoon — a day after the ride, while in motion, struck and killed a man entering a restricted area.As a precaution, state authorities checked out the ride to ensure no safety shortcomings existed, which none did."Once the accident occurred (on Thursday), Cedar Point contacted us," said Brett Gates, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Amusement Ride Safety. "We had three inspectors come there on scene (Thursday night) and completed an inspection to see if it will be safe going forward. We have cleared the ride to open."Sandusky police detectives, who handled the situation, determined the ride's moving train — and not someone's leg or other body part — caused East Canton resident James A. Young's death."We are pretty sure it was the coaster, the moving coaster, that struck the man," Sandusky assistant police Chief Phil Frost said. "We are taking witness statements. There is still an ongoing investigation with the detective bureau." Authorities concluded Young, 45, hopped a fence and accessed a prohibited area to retrieve his cellphone, which fell while he previously rode Raptor. Attempting to locate his phone, Young apparently came into contact with the passing train, causing him to die at the scene.The Register reached out to Cedar Point spokespeople throughout Friday for comment, but nobody responded back to inquiries.A tweet from Cedar Point's official Twitter handle, however, provided a brief statement, which included the following: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."The death occurred during or soon after a rally in which basketball superstar LeBron James kicked off the first of five planned charity events for his foundation. Through fundraising efforts, James wants as many as 2,300 children to receive four-year scholarships so they can attend the University of Akron.Riding the RaptorRegarding Raptor's future, people shouldn't worry about its safety, according to Brad Kilgore, general manager of the popular website CPfansite.com. The website is unaffiliated with, but independently reports on Cedar Point activity."It was sad, but it was his fault that he got killed," Kilgore said. "There was nothing the park could have done. Raptor overall is a very safe ride. It follows all of the specifications of the ride manufacturer of being safe. People just need to respect the rules of the park because they're in place for a reason."Former longtime Cedar Fair CEO and president Dick Kinzel, who rode Raptor on its maiden voyage, expressed a similar viewpoint."When the ride was put in in 1994, certainly we met all the qualifications for fencing and there is adequate signing," Kinzel said. "All the precautions were taken by Cedar Point at that time and since then to prevent any tragedy like this from happening."Kinzel continued: "It's the worst thing that can happen in the amusement park industry when an incident like this happens. I can't recall (any other major incidents on Raptor) whatsoever. It's a very safe ride. It's built by the finest roller coaster manufacturer in the world."Earlier this year, a Raptor rider claimed he suffered severe injuries. WKYC reported a gate on the roller coaster's loading platform closed on his leg when he tried boarding Raptor.Raptor, a two-minute ride, has a top speed of 57 mph. Feet of riders dangle as they turn upside down several times during the ride.Young manThe Washington Post reports Young would visit Cedar Point each season, typically right before a new school year would start."That was one of his favorite places to go," Young's mother, Brenda Young, told the publication. "He went there every summer with his friends. It was a fun time for him. Just a little break before school started in a couple weeks."The upcoming academic season held special meaning for Young, who just secured a new job as a guidance counselor for an area high school."He was a wonderful, wonderful person," his mother said.Register file photo / Cedar Point roller coaster Raptor reopened late Friday afternoon — a day after the ride, while in motion, struck and killed a man entering a restricted area.Register photo / LUKE WARK Sandusky police responded Thursday afternoon to Cedar Point, where a man jumped a fence and was struck and killed by the Raptor roller coaster. Young