Woman Dies After Riding Disney's 'Mission: SPACE'

Disney officials shut downthe "Mission: Space" ride at Epcot Center in Orlando late Wednesday after a49-year-old woman died, one day after riding the space-themed ride.

She is the second person to die within the past year after riding the $100million space ride.

The woman, whose identity wasn't released, rode "Mission: Space" Tuesdayafternoon, became ill afterward and was taken to Celebration Hospital.

Her condition worsened, and she died Wednesday.

"First and foremost, our concern is for the guest's family. We offer them ourdeepest sympathies and assistance during this difficult time," Walt DisneyWorld representative Kim Prunty said in an e-mailed statement.

The state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection was notified and will be on site tomonitor the inspection and review of the attraction, Prunty said.

Daudi Bamuwamye, 4, of Pennsylvania died in Juneafter riding the space ride.

Dr. Jan Garavaglia, the chief medical examiner of Orange County, said Bamuwamyesuffered from cardiac arrhythmia due to heart disease.

Since Daudi had an abnormality of the heart muscle, it put him at risk duringany stressful activity throughout his life.

Signs at the ride warn: "For safety, you should be in good health and freefrom high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, orother conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure."

Publishedunder license from FLORIDATODAY. Copyright ? 2006 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may bereproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.

 

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