Earlier this month, we reported that a guest jumped off a Tom Sawyer Island Log Raft into Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. In order to get the full story, WDWNT have spoken to the guest who was in the water.
When talking to the established outlet about the incident, the guest explained that he suffers from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and has equilibrium issues as a result. His service dog, named Tinker Bell, can alert him when a balance issue is impending. According to WDWNT, the guest is a disabled U.S. Navy veteran and retired swift water rescuer.
Before boarding the raft, Tinker Bell alerted the guest and he responded by going to sit on a box attached to the raft. The guest told the established outlet that he has done this many times before and the Cast Members have been understanding of his condition and advised him to be safe.
“Usually, [in] the cases when [Tinker Bell] does alert me, Cast Members always, always let me sit on the box, saying ‘Hey, be safe’”
Guest via WDWNT
However, this was the first time he wasn’t allowed. According to the guest, a Cast Member would not allow him to sit on the box to stabilise himself, despite being alerted that he was having an issue by Tinker Bell. After being told to stand up, the guest lost his balance and blacked out.
When he came to, the guest was in the Rivers of America after falling over the raft’s railing. As you can see in the above photo, Tinker Bell and his wife was still on the raft. The guest told WDWNT that “the water is deeper than it looks,” and that there was a “strong” current.
As the current pulled the guest toward the shore of Tom Sawyer Island, he considered attempting to swim to the shore. However, he stayed put after being told to do so by Disney Security Cast Members. The guest made sure to float on his back to keep from ingesting the water or being taken by the current.
“I was not afraid of the gators. Gators were of no concern to me. It’s what happened with two other people prior, which happened in Disneyland. Drowning, and it’s the current which drowns them.”
Guest via WDWNT
The guest is referring to the two guests that drowned in Rivers of America at Disneyland Park in 1973 and 1983.
Eventually, the guest was brought out of the Rivers of America by a fire rescue team. He told the established outlet that he discussed the idea of adding benches to the Tom Sawyer rafts for those with mobility and balance issues. The guest says he has been asking for this change for a decade.
He hopes the incident can be a wake-up call to make sure that safety comes before policy.
“Anybody who even tries doing this: I’m lucky I survived. I’m very lucky I survived because of the current, because of the condition I was in […] I definitely could have drowned.”
Guest via WDWNT
RELATED: WATCH: Guest Jumps from Italy Pavilion Bridge Into World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for more Orlando theme park-related news and information.
H/T WDWNT
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