Guest injured at Kings Island, ‘believed’ hit by Banshee roller coaster

Kings Island debuted the $24 million roller coaster Banshee for the 2014 season. FILE

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Kings Island debuted the $24 million roller coaster Banshee for the 2014 season. FILE

A 38-year-old man was taken to the hospital after Kings Island officials said he was believed to have been hit by the Banshee roller coaster Wednesday night.

Mason police said the man was critically injured.

In a statement, Kings Island said the man entered a restricted area at the Banshee around 8 p.m. and was believed to have been hit by the ride.

A witness said the man told a greeter at the Banshee ride that he needed to get back on the ride because he lost his keys. The worker told the individual there was nothing they could do until the ride closed.

According to the witness, the man continued to wander near the ride and eventually went through a restricted gate. The man was dressed similarly to Kings Island employees so some assumed he was a manager or worker, the witness said.

An individual riding the Banshee seated in the front row said it sounded like they hit a deer at the time of the accident.

The person hit was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family,” the park said.

According to the park’s website, the Banshee is the world’s longest steel inverted roller coaster and reaches speeds of 68 mph.

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