Xcelerator incident sparks investigation

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Submitted by Ashley Irvine on Wednesday 7 October 2009 - 6:04pm
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Knott's Berry Farm's Xcelerator roller coaster is now the subject of an investigation which will hopefully unearth the reason why one of its launch cables snapped just weeks ago.

An on-ride video shows the front right-hand seat moving forward while the two riders in the front row are showered with debris. A 12-year-old boy who was sitting in the first row sustained leg injuries while his riding partner was treated for back injuries, an L.A. Times news report stated.

The ride's manufacturer, Intamin, has had a history of cable-related accidents. The most recent was when a girl lost her feet after a cable broke on Superman: Tower of Power at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. However, a similar incident to the one with Xcelerator occurred on Top Thrill Dragster in 2004.

There is currently no word on when the ride will reopen. No other Intamin rides have been closed as a result of this incident.

Picture: ScreamScape

Source: The L.A. Times