Louisville Zoo to reopen after crash injures 22
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Louisville Zoo planned to open as normal Tuesday while inspectors tried to figure out why a miniature train derailed and sent 22 people to hospitals.
One child was critically injured when three open-air cars and the engine fell off the ground-level rails in a bend behind a gorilla exhibit Monday. Kosair Children's Hospital did not immediately have an updated condition for the child Tuesday morning.
Inspectors from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which oversees amusement rides, returned to the zoo Tuesday to continue investigating, said department spokesman Ted Sloan.
Sloan said the ride passed an inspection before it opened for the season earlier this spring and had received no prior complaints about it, although he did not have the date of the inspection. Zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger did not immediately return calls Tuesday morning.
The train circles the zoo along a two-mile track. Bussabarger said the attraction has been around for about 40 years but the train that derailed was bought in 2000.
Officials said there were about 30 people on board when the train derailed.
The ride will be closed until further notice.
Louisville Zoo train wrecked despite daily checks
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A miniature train that derailed and injured 22 people at the Louisville Zoo underwent daily inspections and passed a state examination in January, safety officials said Tuesday.
The zoo reopened at its normal time Tuesday morning while state investigators in charge of amusement rides worked to figure out why the train derailed Monday on ground-level tracks in a bend behind the gorilla exhibit. The train ride, which loops two miles around the zoo, remained closed.
One child was critically injured when three open-air cars and the engine fell off the tracks. Kosair Children's Hospital did not immediately have an updated condition for the child Tuesday morning.
Inspectors from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture returned to the zoo Tuesday to continue investigating, said department spokesman Ted Sloan.
Sloan said the ride operator must test and inspect the ride daily and that an inspection took place on Monday before the zoo opened for the day. The ride also passed an inspection on Jan. 22, before opening for the season and had received no prior complaints, Sloan said.
Zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger said details about the daily inspection procedures were unavailable Tuesday because of the ongoing investigation into the crash.
The zoo said the attraction has been around for about 40 years but the train that derailed was bought in 2000.
Officials said there were about 30 people on board when the train derailed.
Louisville Zoo train derails, injuring at least 22
By BRETT BARROUQUERE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A small train carrying visitors to the Louisville Zoo fell off the tracks Monday, sending 22 people to hospitals including one child who was critically injured, officials said.
The train of open-air cars is pulled by a small engine and circles the zoo along a two-mile track. It was carrying about 30 passengers when three cars and the engine fell off the rails near the gorilla exhibit. A person briefly trapped was able to be freed, zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger said.
Seventeen children were taken to Kosair Children's Hospital for treatment, including one in critical condition and another in serious, said spokesman Brian Rublein. Five adults were taken to University of Louisville Hospital, and spokesman David McArthur said all were in fair or better condition and that one might be admitted.
Dr. Neal Richmond, CEO and medical director of Louisville Metro EMS, said one adult had a possible head injury and was "a little confused initially" but was communicating and walking.
Those injured were from 2 months old to senior citizens, he said.
Rublein said besides the two children admitted to Kosair, three others were still being evaluated, with the rest treated and released.
The derailment happened about 1 1/2 hours before the zoo's 6 p.m. closing, Bussabarger said. The train wasn't in a public area but behind the gorilla exhibit, she said.
Zoo officials planned to reopen as scheduled Tuesday, but the ride will be closed until further notice. Bussabarger said three Kentucky Department of Agriculture ride inspectors are investigating. The cause was not yet known, Bussabarger said.
The train ride opened 40 years ago, Bussabarger said in a statement. The one that derailed was bought in 2000, holds 40 to 50 passengers and averages 12 miles per hour, she said.
Associated Press writer Beth Campbell contributed to this report.
Louisville Zoo train carrying visitors derails
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Emergency officials say 20 people, including children, have been taken to hospitals, some with serious injuries after train carrying Louisville Zoo visitors overturned.
The open-air train is pulled by a small engine and encircles the zoo. It derailed Monday near the gorilla exhibit.
At least 16 of the people injured were children. Kosair Children's Hospital chief nursing officer Cis Gruebbel (sis' groo'-bell) says the types of injuries and ages vary.
One person was briefly trapped. But zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger says rescuers got the person out.
Louisville Metro EMS medical director Dr. Neal Richmond says those injured were from 2 months old to senior citizens. He says there was at least one serious injury and possibly another but that no one is in critical shape.