[cwgator]

I noticed on the Busch Gardens (Williamsburg) Facebook page that there was an incident on Griffon Thursday injuring some riders. Apparently there were some strong wind gusts and a balloon broke free from a building in the France area and landed in the path of Griffon's first drop just as a train was released. The balloon exploded upon impact and injured 8 riders, 5 went to the hospital and the other 3 treated at the park. Here's the news story from WVEC about the accident and the ride opening again:

http://www.wvec.com/home/Passengers-on-rollercoaster-hurt-during-storm-100090544.html

13NEWS / WVEC.com
Posted on August 6, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Updated yesterday at 3:30 PM


WILLIAMSBURG -- The five people injured aboard The Griffon roller coaster Thursday night at Busch Gardens have been released from the hospital.

They were hit by a runaway 25-foot balloon, according to Busch Gardens spokesman Kevin Crossett.

The passengers' injuries included sore necks and backs and everyone was able to walk off the ride on their own, he said.

Crews were attempting to deflate a balloon, described as a prop, prior to a storm when winds picked it up and carried it into the path of the train.

The ride, which was shut down after the incident, underwent maintenance checks and resume operation a little after noon Friday.

All four balloons have been removed from the France area of the park while Busch Gardens investigates what it's calling a "weather-related incident."

The balloons have been at the park since June when they were installed for "Illuminights."

Despite storms in the area, the coaster's wind alarm had not activated so the ride was still running Thursday.

Crews are to shut down Griffon when the alarm registers winds of 40 mph.

It was not raining and there was not lightning visible at the time, Crossett stated.

"Everyone acted admirably and in the interests of the guests," Crossett said. "We are pleased with the response."

The rest of the theme park remained open.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Wow that is nuts, of all places for the balloon to land just had to be on the bottom of griffon's drop. Just glad no one was seriously injured or anything and it didnt affect the coaster or anything...

[RollerCoasterMommy07]

Oh wow that sucks. Luckily no one was badly injured. Although watching the footage from the report I can't help but ask. The griffon was just going over the hill, it wasn't pausing like it used to. Does it not pause anymore? Probably a stupid question I know lol. Like I said though in the footage everytime it went down the first drop it wasn't pausing.

[cwgator]

It still pauses at the top. It was just the way the video was edited. If you notice, the footage switches to the start of each drop and not the pause and movement before.

[RollerCoasterMommy07]

Ahh I see..Had me wondering there for a minute especially after seeing footage on youtube where it did the same thing. Thanx for clearing that up.