SANDUSKY (AP) -- Plus-sized riders may not fit in repositioned seat belts on Cedar Point's 93 mph, 310-foot high Millennium Force roller coaster, the amusement park alongside Lake Erie has warned. The belts were repositioned at the direction of the manufacturer after a man was killed riding a similar coaster at Six Flags New England, Cedar Point spokesman Robin Innes said Thursday.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety said the 5-foot-2, 230-pound man was too big to have been safely restrained on the Superman Ride of Steel coaster on May 1. Innes said the change makes it "a little more snug, tight, and, unfortunately, prevents some riders who were able to ride in last year from riding it this year.''
In a general disclaimer on its Web site, Cedar Point says men 6-foot-2-inches or taller and weighing more than 220 pounds and women more than 200 pounds or who wear size 18 dresses or bigger may not fit on some rides. "Each person has different body proportions, so it is impossible to determine exact size and weight,'' the warning states.
Two summers ago, Tony Ventresco of Youngstown had no problem riding the roller coaster, but he now finds the belts tighter. "I'm not much larger than anybody else,'' he said. "I'd be a little upset if they said I couldn't ride.''
Signs regarding size limits are posted, and ride operators ask some guests to try the test seat. Informational brochures given to guests also have the warnings, Innes said.
Posted 5:30pm, Thursday, May 20, 2004
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