Posted: June 30, 2008 6:43 p.m.
Updated: June 30, 2008 6:43 p.m.
AUSTELL - Georgia officials ordered a popular roller coaster that hit and killed a teenager over the weekend to remain closed Monday.
Asia LeeShawn Ferguson IV of Columbia, S.C., died Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia after police said he hopped two fences and wandered into a restricted area where he was decapitated by the Batman roller coaster. Police said an autopsy determined the teen's death was an accident. Toxicology tests could take several weeks.
Park officials had expected to reopen the ride Monday, but the Georgia Department of Labor took it out of service while inspectors conduct a preliminary investigation that could take several days, spokesman Charlie Schroder said. The agency is responsible for inspecting amusement park rides.
''Once we're satisfied the ride can operate safely, it will return to operation,'' he said.
The park had closed the ride out of respect for Ferguson's family. No one else was hurt.
Police said Monday that they have ruled out reports from witnesses who said Ferguson jumped the fences to retrieve a hat he lost while riding the coaster. All authorities know is that the teen hopped the fences to take the shortest route to the Batman ride from where he was, said Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce. Another boy who was with him was not injured.
A park spokeswoman said Ferguson scaled two 6-foot fences and passed signs that said the restricted area was both off-limits and dangerous.
Ferguson and his parents were at the park with a group from the Oakey Spring Baptist Church near Springfield, S.C.
j/k
