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BGTB2005
07-25-2006, 11:15 PM
A 52-year-old man who said he didn’t feel well after riding a roller coaster at Busch Gardens died Monday at University Community Hospital.

Thomas M. Welch, of Palm Harbor, died of natural causes, according to the Hillsborough County medical examiner’s office. The medical examiner said he suffered from hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure.

Busch Gardens says the ride was operating normally.
Source (http://tboblogs.com/index.php/newswire/comments/man_52_dies_at_busch_gardens/)

TAMPA - A Palm Harbor man died Monday after riding a popular Busch Gardens roller coaster.

Thomas Welch rode the Gwazi coaster Monday morning with a group of friends. After the ride, he told them that he didn't feel well.

Welch, 52, got first aid within minutes, but soon faded and required CPR. The paramedics used a defibrillator on him before he was taken to University Community Hospital.

Later Monday, he passed away at the hospital. An autopsy will be performed to determine his cause of death.

Gwazi, built in 1999, is a wooden roller coaster that hits speeds of 50 mph. Busch Gardens officials say the ride was working perfectly.

"Busch Gardens is saddened that park guest Thomas Welch of Palm Harbor died after suffering an apparent heart attack while visiting the park," park managers said in a written statement. "We extend our deepest sympathy to the Welch family."

Source (http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=275253&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1)

:(

TheSkipper
07-25-2006, 11:32 PM
The medical examiner said he suffered from hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure.

He had no business riding ANY coaster or thrill ride..... I rode Gwazi when I was 52 and I'm still... arrgghh........

FlyingPenguins
07-26-2006, 04:38 AM
Great way to end your life huh... on a roller coaster...

Petmaster
07-26-2006, 05:26 AM
arrggh, ive rode that millions of times, and ive never gotten sick...in fact, i rode it like 7 times in 1 visit to BGT. besides, why would a 52 year old man ride that? i guess hes never been on a woodie before...

billybob513
07-26-2006, 11:11 AM
Wow. It seems like someone dies because of riding a coaster with a heart condition every month or so. It's pretty sad whenever I hear something like this.

Matandmel05
07-26-2006, 12:16 PM
arrggh, ive rode that millions of times, and ive never gotten sick...in fact, i rode it like 7 times in 1 visit to BGT. besides, why would a 52 year old man ride that? i guess hes never been on a woodie before...

Think about how many other people could have died that same day from the same thing that weren't on a coaster...the coaster has nothing to do with him dying.
My Mom went on Montu back in 1996 and she was 65 then and she survived just fine. It's all about health people. Take care of yourself. :D

-NGS-
07-26-2006, 04:13 PM
It's always sad to see something like that. My love goes to the man's family, and I hope they don't sue. I hate people that sue.

Dormouse
07-26-2006, 05:36 PM
Yeah what's the deal with sueing for a loved one's death? Is the money supposed to help you stop greiving or something?

But yeah it stinks that the number of deaths on roller coasters and thrill rides is oddly high this year

KingdaKa1
07-26-2006, 06:22 PM
Thats a fun way to go. My thoughts r with his family and friends.