UPDATED Thursday, September 2, 2010 --- 2:04 p.m

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin investigation has determined there was nothing mechanically wrong with a free fall ride when a 12-year-old Florida girl fell about 100-feet to the ground.

The state Department of Commerce report released Thursday indicates the operator at the top of the Terminal Velocity did not follow protocol when Teagan Marti fell July 30 at the Extreme World amusement park in the Wisconsin Dells.

The report says Marti was dropped before the cage in which she was riding reached the top and before a net was in proper position.

Thirty-three-year-old Charles Carnell was the dive master and was charged with one count of first-degree-reckless injury.

Marti was severely injured and may be paralyzed. She was transferred Wednesday to a Florida hospital. The ride remains closed.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

* * * * * * * * * *

Here is the report from the State Department of Commerce:

DATE: September 2, 2010
TO: David Vriezen
FROM: Shirley Noltemeyer
SUBJECT: Terminal Velocity Incident, Friday, July 30, 2010

Ride History:
Terminal Velocity, serial number 181-00121, was properly registered for the 2010 ride season in accordance with Department of Commerce, section 34.04, Wis. Adm. Code, and insured per section 34.035 of the code. The plans for Terminal Velocity were submitted to the Department in the fall of 2001 for review. Safety & Buildings engineering staff reviewed the plans to ensure the ride had proper footings, foundations and structural calculations. The plans were approved on 12/26/2001. The ride has since been inspected annually. The only discrepancy on record is that the ride did not have an operational wind speed indicator on June 18, 2008; the corrective action was verified on August 20, 2008. Terminal Velocity has a platform that raises approximately 140 feet and allows the rider to free-fall into a double net suspended about 40 feet off the ground.

Incident Investigation:
On July 30, 2010, at approximately 11:55 a.m., I received a call from Bill Anderson, owner of Extreme World at Wisconsin Dells. Mr. Anderson said that the Terminal Velocity ride operator had apparently just dropped a 12-year old girl from ride before the net was in place. He said that he did not know the condition of the girl.

I contacted my supervisor, Dave Vriezen, and relayed the information that I had at that point. I then left to go to Wisconsin Dells. Upon my arrival I met with Sergeant Gerald Grimsled, Jr., Lake Delton Police Department; Deputy Joel Vodak, Sauk County Sheriff’s Office; and Detective Eric Miller, Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. They had secured the ride and were in the process of taking the witness statements. Some of the witness statements were being taken at the Lake Delton Police Department. Copies of all the statements have been made available to me. The ride protocol states that once the cage is at the top, the operator at the top gives an arm signal to the operator at the bottom of the ride. The operator at the bottom then gives an arm signal back to the operator at the top of the ride to confirm the cage position.

All witness statements, and information from the law enforcement personnel and Mr. Anderson, indicate that the injured person was dropped from the Terminal Velocity ride before the cage was at the top and before the net was in proper position. As the cage started to go up, the operator on the bottom stopped it to put more air in the tubes that form the outside of the net. As the tubes were being filled, the operator at the top opened the bottom of the cage and prepared the rider for the dive. The operator then released the injured person, apparently not realizing that the cage had not reached the top of the ride.

After examination of the ride protocol and witness statements, it was determined the hand signals were not used. The ride protocol states that hand signals are to be used between the operator at the bottom of the ride and the operator at the top of the ride to check and to verify that the cage is at the top before a dive is executed.

Conclusion:
No violations of Department of Commerce Chapter 34 were discovered during this investigation.

The results of the investigation indicate that the ride was in sound mechanical condition at the time of the incident. A ride protocol had been established, and all operators were trained in that protocol. At the time of the incident, the operator at the top of the ride did not follow the protocol.

Note:
On August 3, 2010, a Cease and Desist letter signed by Section Chief David Vriezen was delivered to Mr. William Anderson. Mr. Anderson will be notified in writing when the Terminal Velocity ride may be opened to the public.

_______________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, September 1, 2010 --- 3:35 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The 12-year-old girl who fell about 100-feet to the ground in a Wisconsin amusement park ride has been transferred to a hospital closer to her Florida home.

Teagan Marti had been treated at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison ever since she fell July 30 from the Terminal Velocity ride at the Extreme World amusement park in Wisconsin Dells, about 50 miles north of Madison.

She hit the ground in the free-fall ride after nets and air bags that were supposed to catch riders were not raised. Doctors have said she suffered numerous injuries to her brain, spine, liver and other organs and may be paralyzed.

The Madison hospital said she was in fair condition Wednesday when she flew by plane to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Wednesday, September 1, 2010 --- 3:15 p.m.

From UW Health:

MADISON, Wis. - Patient Teagan Marti left American Family Children’s Hospital today and was transferred to another hospital closer to her home in Parkland, Florida. Teagan has been a patient at American Family Children’s Hospital since July 30.

Teagan’s parents, Alex and Julie Marti, are grateful for the care given to Teagan as well as thoughts, prayers and gifts sent by people from all over the United States.

__________________________________________________

UPDATED Monday, August 23, 2010 -- 1:13pm
By Zac Schultz

Lake Delton: Excerpts from Chuck Carnell's initial interview with Lake Delton Police following the incident:

He looked up real quick and thought the top of the tower was right there...He looked down through the hole in the cage and stated with his depth perception it looked as if the net was up all the way. Charles then stated I did miss one procedure. You are supposed to look over the side and get an all clear.

"I did not do that. I just totally blanked it out. I don't know why. I know better. I should do it. I have no reason why I didn't do it. I have no excuse whatsoever."

I pulled the release and she hit. He stated I then saw her eyes roll back in her head and that's when I sat down on the ground and just started freaking out. He said the other guys in the cage started freaking out.

"I just keep seeing her eyes. I see her eyes rolling back in her head. She just dropped and I heard a thud."

He stated he was freaking out and he was crying and was in a daze. He stated I hurt somebody bad.

Carnell admitted he had smoked marijuana three days before the accident.

__________________________________________________

UPDATED Monday, August 23, 2010 -- 12:34pm
By Zac Schultz

Lake Delton: Newly released police reports show the operator of an amusement park ride knew right away that he had released the girl too early.

On July 30th, 12-year-old Teagan Marti was released early from the ride Terminal Velocity and fell 100 feet. She suffered severe injuries and while she can communicate through eye movement, she remains hospitalized and could be paralyzed for the rest of her life. Reports indicate Marti was released while the safety net was still on the ground.

Two brothers from Nebraska were on the ride platform along with 12-year-old Teagan Marti and operator Chuck Carnell. According to police reports Brendan Wilds told police after the release, Chuck got on the radio and said to somebody that it was his fault and was sobbing. Chuck was hitting himself with his fist in the head. Chuck got on the radio and asked somebody to have his pastor come to Extreme World.

Aron Wilds told police Chuck said on the radio that he had just killed the girl and to take him to jail.

Carnell has been charged with 1st degree reckless injury.

Five days after the incident Lake Delton Police went to the amusement park and rode the ride platform up to the top of the ride and the level where Marti was dropped early.

Detective Kurt Goodreau says it was clear from the lower height the net was still on the ground and "there is no doubt in my mind that the dive master should have known that he was not at proper height to release the victim."

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UPDATED Monday, August 23, 2010 --- 11:20 a.m.

LAKE DELTON, Wis. (AP) -- New reports say an amusement park ride operator began hitting himself in the head with his fists once he realized a young girl had fallen about 100 feet from the ride without a safety net.

Twelve-year-old Teagan Marti of Parkland, Fla., fell from the Terminal Velocity ride just outside Wisconsin Dells on July 30. She survived, but doctors say she could be paralyzed.

The ride's divemaster, Chuck Carnell, has been charged with felony reckless injury.

According to police reports released Monday, other riders said Carnell hit himself in the head, then got on his radio and said he had just killed the child and should go to jail. He also asked to have his pastor come to the amusement park.

Carnell's attorney didn't immediately return a message for comment.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

NOTE: NBC15's Zac Schultz is going through the police reports at this time. Watch for his reports tonight on NBC15 News at 5pm and 6pm.

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UPDATED: Friday, August 20, 2010 --- 5:30 p.m.
REPORTER: Chris Woodard

Today Teagan Marti's mother spoke for the first time since the accident, explaining in gut wrenching detail what her family is going through.

As you can imagine this whole thing has been a nightmare for Teagan's parents and today her mother tried to explain the horror of witnessing the accident.

Julie Marti said, "She was bleeding out of her ears and mouth and nose. Her eyes were rolling back in her head and her lips were turning purple and I couldn't feel a pulse and I said Teagan it's mommy stay with me."

Julie says Teagan is still in intensive care and on a ventilator but she is able to communicate with her family by blinking or reacting when someone points at letters.

She said, "Every day we just have to take every little thing we can get, day by day. The fact that she doesn't have a major brain injury and can communicate at all is a miracle. It's a miracle she is alive."

The family's attorney did respond to the latest police report, upset that Extreme World was making those repairs to the ride at 2 a.m.

He said it makes him uneasy. He gave NBC 15 a copy of a letter he says he sent to Extreme World on August 3rd asking them not to alter or repair the ride in any way.

The lawyer also addressed the fact that criminal charges were filed against the ride operator.

He says he feels they're justified and is outraged anyone is questioning the fact that they were filed.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Friday, August 20, 2010 --- 4:10 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The mother of a 12-year-old Florida girl who plunged 100 feet to the ground on a free-fall ride at a Wisconsin Dells amusement park last month says watching her daughter fall was the "worst day of my life."

Julie Marti spoke Friday at the Madison hospital where her daughter Teagan is being treated following the July 30 accident at Extreme World.

Julie Marti says she immediately rushed to her daughter's side after the fall. She says she was bleeding from her ears, mouth and nose and she thought she was dead.

Julie Marti says her daughter remains on a ventilator and is in stable but critical condition.

The update came two days after the Terminal Velocity ride operator was charged with a felony county of first-degree reckless injury for releasing Marti too early.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Friday, August 20, 2010 --- 12:30 p.m.

NOTE: To read the police report, click on the file above (marked Lake Delton Police Report).

According to a police report by the Lake Delton Police Department, workers at Extreme World Amusements were discovered making middle of the night repairs to a ride that injured 12-year-old Teagan Marti.

Officer Lucas Killick made the discovery on August 5 at 1:53 a.m..

Employee William W. Whitt, the track manager at Extreme World, told Killick that workers were repairing the control arms of the ride. According to the police report, Whitt said the control arms that guide the drop net used to catch divers “have not been replaced in eight years and were rusted ‘beyond the ability to turn them.’”

Whitt told the officer that a state inspector was coming to the park in the morning and that the park needed to get them replaced for the inspection.

A spokesperson for the Department of Commerce tells NBC15 News, officials did go to the park later that day. But their visit was to review procedures for the ride; not to inspect it.

The ride, Terminal Velocity, has been closed since July 30 when Teagan Marti fell about 100 feet to the ground after she was released before the ride’s safety net was raised.

33-year-old Charles Carnell is charged with first-degree reckless injury. On Wednesday, he appeared in a Sauk County Courtroom. NBC15's Chris Woodard saw Carnell back at work Thursday. But per court order, he is not allowed to operate the rides. Carnell would not comment on camera.

Teagan remains hospitalized today.

Stuart Grossman, the attorney for Marti and her family, along with Lynne Sears, American Family Childrens Hospital pediatric trauma director, will update the media on Teagan's condition this afternoon.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Friday, August 20, 2010 --- 11:20 a.m.

Stuart Grossman, the attorney for Teagan Marti and her family, along with Lynne Sears, American Family Childrens Hospital pediatric trauma director, will update the media on Teagan's condition this afternoon.

NBC15's Chris Woodard will attend the briefing. Watch his reports on NBC15 News at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm tonight.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 18, 2010 -- 6:00 p.m.
By NBC15's Dana Brueck

A Lake Delton thrill ride operator has been charged criminally.

Now, how the man's defense attorney plans to challenge the case.

Late July, a 12-year-old Florida girl was seriously hurt when she was dropped almost 100 feet to the ground.

The man operating the ride at the time is facing a felony in Sauk County.

Thirty-three-year-old Charles Carnell appeared in a Baraboo courtroom, wearing a shirt bearing the name of his long time employer, Extreme World.

There, July 30th shortly before noon, 12-year-old Teagan Marti fell about 100 feet to the ground.

"The victim in this case is still in the pediatric intensive care unit... multiple fractures... lacerations to organs... she's on a ventilator," Jennifer Harper with the district attorney's office told the court Wednesday.

In the criminal complaint, Carnell was the "dive master" for the free fall Terminal Velocity ride.

The complaint says Carnell told investigators he didn't get the all clear signal before allowing Marti to drop.

Carnell, in the complaint, said he totally blanked out... and didn't know why.

He is charged with first-degree reckless injury, a felony that carries up to 25 years in prison.

"Charles is devastated... feels horrible about what happened... He made a mistake... fully cooperated with investigators. He has never done anything like this before," Carnell's defense attorney, Chris Van Wagner said.

But, Carnell's defense attorney says he expects to challenge the criminal charge against his client, calling the situation a classic case of human error.

"I respectfully disagree with the issuance of criminal charges where they've shown a case of neglect, nothing more. We'll challenge that before the end of this case," Van Wagner said.

The judge gave Carnell a cash bond of one-thousand dollars.

He can return to work at Extreme World, but he cannot be involved in any way with any of the thrill rides.

The park's owner sat in court, at times with his head in his hands, saying after the proceeding he was praying for the girl -- and for Carnell.

Teagan Marti's father also was in court but left afterward without commenting.

Extreme World's owner expects Carnell back at work tomorrow.

The case returns to court at the end of September.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 18, 2010 --- 1:35 p.m.

NOTE: Click on the file above (marked "Criminal Complaint Filed") to read the criminal complaint in this case.

From NBC15's Dana Brueck:

A judge has set a $1,000 cash bond for Charles A. Carnell. He is charged with first-degree reckless injury after an incident that injured 12-year-old Teagan Marti. A judge also ruled Carnell can not operate any thrill rides at Extreme World Amusements. Carnell also prohibited from contacting the victim or her family. Teagan's father was in court but left without commenting.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 18, 2010 --- 11:23 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- An amusement park worker has been charged with a felony after a 12-year-old girl barely survived a fall on one of the park's rides.

Charles A. Carnell faces one count of first-degree reckless injury, punishable by up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. Carnell's attorney, listed in online court records as Christopher T. Van Wagner, didn't immediately return a message.

Teagan Marti fell 100 feet to the ground on Terminal Velocity, a free-fall ride at Extreme World in Lake Delton, on July 30. Police say ride operators failed to properly raise a catch net.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 18, 2010 --- 10:36 a.m.

Release from the Lake Delton Police Department:

This is a follow-up news release regarding 12 year old Teagan Marti who was injured at Extreme World Amusements on 07/30/10 at approx. 11:53 AM.

On August 17th, a criminal complaint was issued by the Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office charging Extreme World Amusements employee Charles A. Carnell, age 33, of Lake Delton with First Degree Reckless Injury, a class D felony, regarding Teagan Marti who was injured on 07/30/10, and a felony bench warrant was then issued for Charles Carnell’s arrest. At approx.4:40 PM, Charles Carnell was taken into custody in Lake Delton at Extreme World by Lake Delton P.D. officers and transported to the Sauk County Jail.

The Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office may be contacted regarding when his initial court appearance will be.

___________________________________________________

UPDATED Monday, August 9, 2010 --- 3:15 p.m.

The family of 12-year-old Teagan Marti issues a "Thank You" note:

Dear Friends,

“Thank you” is something we hear and say every day. It’s something that we can easily take for granted. But for our family, “thank you” doesn’t even begin to express our gratitude for your support through letters, e-mails and gestures during a very difficult time.

There are many unknowns for Teagan. But your outpouring of prayers and thoughts comforts us every minute of the day. Many of the notes start with “You don’t know us…” Those words have touched our hearts, knowing that people would take time out of their own lives to comfort us. In fact, we believe that your thoughts and prayers created the miracle of Teagan’s survival.

We would like to personally thank each and every one of you. Unfortunately, that’s impossible right now. We sincerely don’t know how we could get through this without your help and support.

Our family would also like to thank the many American Family Children’s Hospital health care professionals who have used their best talents and skills to provide excellent care for Teagan and our family. It’s a miracle that the devastating incident happened so near a Level I trauma center, one that we believe is a model for the highest quality care for both children and adults.

Alexandra and Taylor have set up a Care Page that will update Teagan’s condition. Please go to www.carepages.com for updates.

When the Marti family says “thank you” for all your support, thoughts and prayers, please know that these are the most powerful words we can use to express our gratitude. They are words that we will never again take for granted.

Sincerely,
Alex, Julie, Alexandra, Taylor and Teagan Marti

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Friday, August 6, 2010 --- 3:50 p.m.

From the Lake Delton Police Department:

This is a follow-up news release regarding 12 year old Teagan Marti who was injured at Extreme World Amusements on 07/30/10 at approx. 11:53 AM.

The Lake Delton Police Department has finished its investigation of this incident, and as of earlier this morning, we have turned over a copy of our report to the Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office. In consultation with that office, they have asked that we not release any more information/ reports at this time, as it will remain an open investigation until they have made a charging decision. This includes not releasing the recording devices/ original digital video back to the owners, or copies of the videos that we have made, all of which will be retained in evidence at the police department.

There will be no more information released regarding this incident until further notice, and questions regarding when a charging decision will be made can be directed to the Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office.

Further questions about the status of the Terminal Velocity ride can be directed to the Wis. Department of Commerce.

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 4, 2010 --- 4:20 p.m.

UPDATED Press Release from the Lake Delton Police Department:

This is a follow-up news release regarding 12 year old Teagan Marti who was injured at Extreme World Amusements on 07/30/10 at approx. 11:53 AM.

We anticipate that our investigation of this incident and written reports will be finished on Thursday, 08/05, at which point we will copy same to the Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office and confer with them as to whether or not they would want us to release any or all of the report, or request us to wait until their review for any criminal charges.

In regards to the videos of the incident, we anticipate that we will have our copies of same sometime late on Friday, and will be releasing the recorders back to their owners at that time. Our release of the videos will also be based on the wishes of the District Attorney’s Office, and due to the content of the video, the police department would give the Marti family the chance to challenge the release of the videos in court.

Contrary to an earlier statement, it has been decided that the release of the name of the ride operator who was at the top, and who released Teagan, will be done at the time the written report is released.

As of this time, the Terminal Velocity ride remains closed by order of the Wis. Department of Commerce, and questions regarding when it will be allowed to re-open can be directed to that department.

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Tuesday, August 3, 2010 -- 2:00 p.m.
By NBC15's Dana Brueck

NOTE: To watch the interview with Teagan's father, click on the VIDEO LINK ABOVE.

NOTE #2: The 911 calls from Friday have been released. Here at NBC15, we have opted not to air these audio clips during our newscasts. However, we are giving our viewers a choice. If you would like to listen to them, click on the AUDIO LINK ABOVE.

"I said she's dead... she's gotta be dead. How can you fall from 100 feet and survive," Teagan's father told reporters Tuesday morning during a news conference.

Twelve-year-old Teagan Marti did survive. Now, her father talks about her condition and what's next.

NBC15 was at Tuesday morning's news conference at American Family Children's Hospital.

The girl's father says he knows Teagan will have some paralysis -- how much is unclear at this point.

She is described as stable, communicating with her eyes, and she has some movement in her right hand.

But the bright, A-student from Parkland, Florida, has a long road ahead of her.

"It's incredible but from the resort... from the condo at the resort... you could see this ride," Dr. Alex Marti says.

Marti says the trip to Wisconsin Dells was supposed to be a family vacation.

12-year-old daughter, Teagan, originally saw the free fall Terminal Velocity ride at Extreme World featured in a Travel Channel program.

"She has been talking about it for months and months and months, so this was something she wanted to do."

Police say operator error caused Teagan to free fall 100 feet, hitting the ground instead of falling into a net, which was supposed to be 40 feet off the ground.

Police say, instead, the landing net was fully on the ground.

"How can someone be allowed to open a door .. let somebody drop 100 feet .. to the ground without there being a fail-safe mechanism? That's ridiculous," Marti says.

Marti, who's a radiologist in South Florida, says Teagan still needs to undergo a major surgery, but she is able to breathe somewhat on her own.

"We're just happy she's alive. When we saw that ... we just, I assumed she was dead right there. It's a miracle," Marti says.

"Once we get her to the rehabilitation stage, I will feel a lot more comfortable."

Meanwhile, Marti's attorney says to expect legal action.

"When we consented to have her go on this ride, we were consenting for her to be dropped into the net, of course, not onto the ground," Marti says.

Police say they have 4 different video recordings of the incident, one of which was made by Teagan's older sister.

The family plans to release the footage when it's returned to them.

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Tuesday, August 3, 2010 -- 11:00 a.m.
By NBC15's Dana Brueck

The father of the 12-year-old girl injured at a Lake Delton amusement park is speaking out about his daughter's injuries -- and her future.

The girl's father, himself a doctor of radiology, says the family is hopeful, but they know Teagan will have some paralysis - how much is unclear.

She still has a major surgery ahead of her, but she is stable, communicating with her eyes, and she has some movement in her right hand.

"We're just happy she's alive. When we saw that ... we just, I assumed she was dead right there. It's a miracle," Dr. Alex Marti, Teagan's father says.

Lake Delton Police say Teagan fell 100 feet to the ground.

Police say the net that was supposed to catch her was fully on the ground.

Dr. Alex Marti says his daughter saw the Terminal Velocity ride featured on the Travel Channel.

It was something she wanted to do.

Police have said operator error is to blame for the accident, and the case is being referred to the Sauk County DA's office.

"How can someone be allowed to open a door .. let somebody drop 100 feet .. to the ground without there being a fail safe mechanism? That's ridiculous," Marti says.

Marti says his wife has family in Illinois.

They came to the area for a family vacation and could see the ride from their resort condo.

The family was supposed to return to their home near Ft. Lauderdale today but will remain here indefinitely.

The family's attorney says Teagan faces a long road ahead of her, and the family will pursue legal action.

Teagan's father and sister videotaped her fall. Investigators now have those tapes.

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Tuesday, August 3, 2010 --- 8:15 a.m.

NOTE: To watch the interview with Teagan's father, click on the VIDEO LINK ABOVE.

The father of 12-year-old Teagan Marti held a press conference moments ago. He says it is a "miracle" she is alive.

He says he and other family members videotaped the accident; investigators now have those tapes.

The lawyer for the family says to assume action will be taken against the company.

More information, as well as video, will be posted later this morning right here at NBC15.com.

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UPDATED Tuesday, August 3, 2010 --- 8:00 a.m.

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) -- Investigators say operator error is to blame for an accident at a Wisconsin Dells amusement park that left a young girl critically injured.

Police say 12-year-old Teagan Marti of Parkland, Fla., was dropped about 100 feet to the ground Friday on a ride called Terminal Velocity. A net 40 feet off the ground was supposed to have caught the girl, but it wasn't in place when the girl was released to free fall into the net.

The Sauk County district attorney will review the case. The Wisconsin State Journal reports Extreme World amusement park, which operated the ride, was closed Friday and Saturday, but has since re-opened.

Information from:
Wisconsin State Journal
http://www.madison.com/wsj

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Monday, August 2, 2010 --- 2:40 p.m.

Press Release from the Lake Delton Police Department:

This is a follow-up news release regarding the 12 year old girl who was injured at Extreme World Amusements on 07/30/10 at approx. 11:53 AM. The name of the 12 year old girl is Teagan Marti of Parkland, FL, the daughter of Julie & Alex Marti.

The investigation of this incident by Lake Delton P.D. has thus far included interviews with persons at the scene of the fall, including family members of Teagan, other witnesses at the scene and employees of Extreme World; consultation with an investigator from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce- Safety & Buildings Division/ Amusements Section who did an on scene investigation, and the viewing of 4 different video recordings. The recorders are currently in evidence and copies of the videos need to be made before they would be considered for release by the police department. We are currently pursuing the proper method for making those copies.

At this time, it has been determined that the Terminal Velocity ride, which had been inspected by the above mentioned state agency in June 2010, was operating properly at the time of this fall, and that we are now pursuing operator error by the ride attendant who was accompanying Teagan and the other two ride customers being elevated to the top of the ride as the cause of Teagan landing on the ground instead of the being caught by the landing net. It has been determined that persons being released for a free fall are to be approx. 140 feet above the ground, with the top of the landing net, which is elevated at the same time as the release platform, being approx. 40 feet above the ground, with the inflatable tube around the outside of the landing net in place to keep persons within the net after their free fall. Investigation has revealed that when Teagan was released, she was only approx. 100 feet above the ground, and that the landing net was still fully on the ground, with only the tube around the net being inflated. The ride attendant at the top in the release platform is to look down at the ground, inspect the drop area for any problems, and then look down at the ground attendant for an exchange of arm signals, to indicate the release platform and landing net are at the proper height for the release, and it has been determined that this was not done. The ground attendant controls the ascent of the release platform.

While the investigation of this incident thus far indicates this was a tragic accident with no intent to harm, we do plan on referring the results of our investigation to the Sauk Co. District Attorney’s Office for their charging consideration.

_________________________________________________________

UPDATED Saturday, July 31, 2010 --- 7:37 p.m.

UW Hospital confirms 12-year-old Teagan Marti, from Florida, is in critical condition after a free fall ride accident Friday in Lake Delton.

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UPDATED Saturday, July 31, 2010 --- 4:00 p.m.

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) — The extreme sports park in Wisconsin Dells where a girl was severely injured on a free fall ride is up for foreclosure sale.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Extreme World is scheduled to be sold at a Sept. 7 Sauk County Sheriff's sale.

On Friday, a 12-year-old girl plunged more than 40 feet, seriously injuring herself when a safety net under a "free fall" attraction failed to catch her.

Court records show the judgment of foreclosure against Anderson Amusements LLC and Extreme World Inc. was more than $2.7 million.

According to Sauk County's online land information program, SOARING, Anderson also owes more than $82,000 in delinquent taxes on three Anderson Amusement parcels. Extreme World Owner Bill Anderson declined to comment.

Information from:
Wisconsin State Journal
http://www.madison.com/wsj

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 10:15 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Police say a safety net under a "free fall" attraction at a popular Wisconsin amusement park failed to catch a 12-year-old girl who plunged more than 40 feet before hitting the ground.

The girl was seriously injured in the Friday fall at the Wisconsin Dells and was hospitalized. Police and hospital officials declined to identify her.

Lake Delton Police Chief Thomas Dorner says the safety net on the Terminal Velocity ride at the park's Extreme World area wasn't set high enough to catch the girl.

Extreme World owner Bill Anderson says it was the first accident in the ride's 8-year history at the park.

The park describes the ride on its website as offering an "unattached, controlled free fall."

The ride will be closed while police investigate.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 5:45 p.m.

NBC 15 crews spoke to an Illinois woman who gave the injured 12-year-old girl CPR immediately after her fall. Judy Norys says when she heard there was an accident, she rushed to help, but wasn't expecting what she found. When she spoke to us today, she was very emotional.

"I went to see if somebody got hurt, and I thought maybe somebody broke a bone. And I heard a mom screaming, and there was a little girl lying on the ground. And the mom was saying, 'Please don't let my baby die, please don't let my baby die.' "

Norys performed CPR until EMS arrived, and eventually the injured girl was taken by Med Flight to UW Hospital.

Lake Delton Police Chief Tom Dorner says the girl was severely injured. He also tells NBC 15 that the state has shut down the free-fall ride at Extreme World Amusements until they complete an investigation into what happened.

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UPDATED Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 5:00 p.m.

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) -- Police say a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured on a "free fall" amusement ride when a net that was supposed to catch her failed.

Lake Delton Police Chief Thomas Dorner says the girl was participating in the "terminal velocity" ride at Extreme World in the Wisconsin Dells.

Dorner says a net that was supposed to catch her and break her fall was not high enough above ground and she hit the ground. In all, she fell at least 40 feet.

The ride is described as an "unattached, controlled free fall." Extreme World Owner Bill Anderson says it is the first accident in the ride's eight-year history.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 2:45 p.m.

From the Lake Delton Police Chief:

On 7/30/2010 at approx. 11:53 AM, Lake Delton Police, and Dells-Delton EMS were dispatched to the report of a person injured in a fall at the Extreme World Amusements, 1800 Wis. Dells Pkwy.

Upon arrival, police and EMS personnel found that a 12-year-old girl from out of state had been severely injured after falling at least 40 feet to the ground while participating in a free fall amusement.

The girl had been immediately attended to by amusement park employees and family, and Dells-Delton EMS took over treatment upon their arrival. The 12-year-old girl was transported from the scene a short distance to a UW Med Flight helicopter and then flown to UW-Madison Hospital. Further injury/medical details are unknown at this time.

Preliminary investigation by Lake Delton Police is that the girl was released for her free fall, but that the net mechanism that was supposed to catch her and break her fall was not high enough above the ground to completely break the fall and she did hit the ground.

This investigation continues, and Lake Delton P.D. is being assisted by the Wis. Dept. of Commerce Safety & Buildings Division/Amusements Section, and the Sauk Co. Sheriff's Department.

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UPDATED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 2:42 p.m.

The owner of Extreme World Amusements just spoke with NBC 15 Photojournalist Brad Trummer. He confirms there was accident, and says the ride is able to be reopened, but it will not be reopened today. He referred all questions to Lake Delton Police.

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UPDATED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 2:30 p.m.

Police investigate Wisconsin bungee jump accident

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) -- A company has shut down its popular bungee jump attraction after a girl was injured in an accident on Friday.

Police are investigating the accident at Extreme World in Wisconsin Dells.

A University of Wisconsin Hospital spokeswoman says the hospital's Med Flight was called to respond, and returned with one patient. She would not release any further details.

An Extreme World employee read a statement saying the company would cooperate with the police investigation, and its employees "are praying for the girl and her family." The employee referred calls to a Lake Delton police official, who did not immediately return a phone message.

Extreme World's Web site touts its bungee jump as the only one in the Midwest "that provides an ankle-harness free fall."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 1:50 p.m.

NBC 15 Photojournalist Brad Trummer reports Lake Delton officers are still on scene. An assistant manager at Extreme World told Brad:

"There are no words. We will do whatever the police ask of us. We're praying for the girl and her family. The ride is closed."

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UPDATED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 1:40 p.m.

Sauk County dispatch confirms Med-Flight was called to the scene around noon today. No word yet on how many people were injured, or the extent of the injuries.

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POSTED: Friday, July 30, 2010 --- 1:04 p.m.

Lake Delton Police have confirmed that officers are at Extreme World in the Wisconsin Dells for a bungee jump accident. Police are offering no other information at this time. NBC 15 has a crew heading to the scene and will bring you updates as soon as possible.