Inspectors find Banshee operating in 'satisfactory' manner after man fatally struck
After a man suffered fatal injuries in a suspected collision with the Banshee rollercoaster at Kings Island, the ride was shut down and inspected by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The Banshee's systems and assembly were operating in a "satisfactory" manner when state inspectors evaluated the ride on June 21, according to a report obtained by The Enquirer through a public records request.
(Read the full inspection report at the end of this story.)
Arntanaro Nelson, 38, of Wilmington, Ohio, died last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was flown to for treatment after being found with a serious injury inside a restricted area near the Banshee roller coaster.
The coroner's office listed Nelson's circumstances of death as a "suspected accident."
Amusement park officials said in a statement they believe Nelson was possibly hit by the ride. Mason police previously told The Enquirer that Nelson was in the restricted area to retrieve keys he had dropped while riding the Banshee.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Arntanaro Nelson, the guest involved in the incident at Banshee on Wednesday, June 19. Our continued prayers are with his family and friends during this very difficult time," Kings Island said in a statement.
The inspectors awarded the ride with a "satisfactory" score for all applicable categories, including for the presence of fencing, railings and gates, as well as for functional brakes and stops, the report states.
The Banshee was closed as a result of the incident, however, it reopened just three days later on June 22.
The agriculture department's Division of Amusement Ride Safety and Fairs licenses and inspects all amusement rides in the state before their operation, the agency's website states.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Inspectors: Banshee operations 'satisfactory' after man fatally hit
