Kings Island guest believed to be struck by Banshee roller coaster dies
CINCINNATI − An Ohio man has died after he entered a restricted area in an amusement park last week, where officials said they believe a roller coaster struck him.
On Wednesday, police said the man, now identified as Arntanaro Nelson, 38, became critically injured after going behind a fence into a restricted area near the Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island, an amusement park outside Cincinnati. The Mason Police Department said he entered the restricted area to retrieve his keys, the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Nelson, of Wilmington, Ohio, was pronounced dead Friday, according to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. The coroner's office listed Nelson's circumstances of death as a "suspected accident."
In a statement, Kings Island said they were deeply saddened to learn of Nelson's death.
"Our continued prayers are with his family and friends during this very difficult time," the theme park said.
The theme park's website says the Banshee is the world's longest steel inverted roller coaster and reaches speeds of 68 mph.
The incident has been under investigation by Kings Island, the City of Mason Police Department and the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Amusement Ride Safety and Fairs.
The Banshee was closed as a result of those investigations, however, the ride reopened on Saturday.
What happened at Kings Island?
While the man was behind the fences of the restricted area, he was "believed to have been struck by the ride," Kings Island officials said in a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Police responded to the incident and found a 38-year-old man "down on the ground" in the restricted area, with a critical injury, according to a news release.
The man, now identified as Nelson, was first taken to University of Cincinnati West Chester Hospital and then taken by helicopter to the UC Medical Center for treatment, police said.
Thornton reports of USA TODAY; Bentley and Baarlaer for the Cincinnati Enquirer.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kings Island guest dead after Banshee roller coaster accident
