Disney World Monorails Collide, Killing One Driver
According to the Reedy Creek Fire Department, the accident happened about 2 a.m. on a train at the Ticket and Transportation Center, where people catch the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and several Disney hotels. The driver of the other train was taken to the hospital as a precaution.Walt Disney World officials identified the monorail operator who died as Austin Wuennenberg, 21, of Kissimmee. He was pronounced dead at the scene. (Based on information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Wuennenberg’s name was misspelled in an earlier version of this article.)Six guests were evaluated at the scene and released, sheriff’s office spokesman Jeff Williamson said.It is not known how the two trains crashed on one of the last runs of the night. Video from Chopper 2 shows two train sticking out of the end of the station at the Ticket and Transportation Center.Epcot closed at 10 p.m. on Saturday, but the Magic Kingdom was open until 1 a.m., according to the Disney World Web site.”We mourn the loss of our fellow cast member,” Mike Griffin, Disney World’s vice president of public affairs, said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and those who have lost a friend and coworker.”Griffin said the monorail is closed at this time and that Disney World is working closely “with law enforcement to determine what happened.” The Orange County Sheriff’s Office also released a brief statement saying it is investigating.
The current model of monorail began operation in 1990, with the full fleet of 12 in service by early 1991. The Mark VI has a higher passenger capacity as well as improved air conditioning, door systems and improved safety features. Each Mark VI train consists of six cars. The overall length is 203 feet with a capacity of 365 passengers.
7-5-09 Walt Disney World Monorail Crash: FreeDisneyWorld.info
The track consists of 26 inch wide, pre-cast concrete beams supported by concrete columns which are approximately 50 feet apart. Each monorail travels on rubber tires and is powered by a 600 volt DC propulsion system which includes eight DC motors rated at 112 HP each, with the power emanating from each side of the beam.
The 13.6 mile monorail system will carry over 150,000 guests to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks on an average day.
Video Taken Shortly After The Crash
Filed Under: News
[...] July, Disney World lost fellow Cast member monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg when two trains collided at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center. It was reported Austin was trying to stop his [...]
[...] fee should help offset the costs of increased transportation services in the wake of July’s fatal monorail crash. In response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s ongoing investigation into the [...]
[...] a year ago in July 2009, monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg, 21 was killed when one train backed up and crashed into another one at the Walt Disney World Resort. Since the [...]