ORLANDO, Fla. - Two monorail trains crashed early Sunday morning in the Magic
Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train's operator, emergency
officials said. A witness said one of the trains rammed into the back of a
stationary train about 2 a.m. at the resort's Ticket and Transport Center.
The monorail operator died at the scene of the crash, which happened around 2AM,
said Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department. The other train
operator was not injured, but was taken to a hospital because he was emotionally
shaken. Jones said five park guests were treated at the scene, though the Orange
County Sheriff's office said six were treated.
Disney Vice President of Communications Michael Griffin identified the driver as
21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg. Griffin would not discuss how long Wuennenberg
had been with Disney or the circumstances surrounding the crash. Disney officials
also refused to talk about how the monorail system operates.
"They are extremely rare," Griffin said of accidents at the park. "The safety of our
guests and cast are a top priority above all else."
It is unclear what caused the crash, Jones said. Sheriff's officials are investigating
the cause.
Mike Griffin, vice president of public affairs at Walt Disney World, issued the
following statement Sunday following the wreck:
Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train's operator, emergency
officials said. A witness said one of the trains rammed into the back of a
stationary train about 2 a.m. at the resort's Ticket and Transport Center.
The monorail operator died at the scene of the crash, which happened around 2AM,
said Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department. The other train
operator was not injured, but was taken to a hospital because he was emotionally
shaken. Jones said five park guests were treated at the scene, though the Orange
County Sheriff's office said six were treated.
Disney Vice President of Communications Michael Griffin identified the driver as
21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg. Griffin would not discuss how long Wuennenberg
had been with Disney or the circumstances surrounding the crash. Disney officials
also refused to talk about how the monorail system operates.
"They are extremely rare," Griffin said of accidents at the park. "The safety of our
guests and cast are a top priority above all else."
It is unclear what caused the crash, Jones said. Sheriff's officials are investigating
the cause.
Mike Griffin, vice president of public affairs at Walt Disney World, issued the
following statement Sunday following the wreck:
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Walt Disney World monorail crash kills 1
Train operator died after two trains collided; five guests treated at scene
by Roland Hansen
Train operator died after two trains collided; five guests treated at scene
by Roland Hansen
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“Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his
family and those who have lost a friend and coworker. The safety of our guests and
cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service and we will
continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and
the appropriate next steps.”
family and those who have lost a friend and coworker. The safety of our guests and
cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service and we will
continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and
the appropriate next steps.”