Wisconsin Dells A 12-year-old girl was injured Friday when safety nets for a thrill ride at Extreme World failed to completely break her 40-foot free-fall and she struck the ground.
Lake Delton Police Chief Thomas Dorner said the victim lives out of state. He said a preliminary investigation determined that the girl was released during her free fall, but that the net mechanism that was supposed to catch her and break her fall was not high enough above the ground.
The accident occurred shortly before noon. Police and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene. The girl was treated at the scene and then taken by University of Wisconsin Med Flight helicopter to the University of Wisconsin Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said the hospitals Med Flight was called to respond, and returned with one patient. She would not release any further details.
The company shut down the popular ride after the accident.
The ride, Terminal Velocity, is described as an unattached, controlled free fall. Extreme World Owner Bill Anderson said it is the first accident in the rides eight-year history.
An Extreme World employee read a statement saying the company would cooperate with the police investigation, and its employees are praying for the girl and her family.
In addition to Lake Delton police, the state Department of Commerces Safety and Buildings Division/Amusements section and the Sauk County Sheriffs Dept. are investigating the accident.
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