LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two monorail trains crashed early Sunday in the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train’s operator, emergency officials said.
The transit system, which shuttles thousands of visitors around the sprawling resort each day, was shut down while authorities investigated the holiday weekend wreck.
The monorail operator died at the scene of the 2 a.m. crash, said Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department. The other train operator was uninjured 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 Austin Wuennenberg, 21. Griffin would not discuss how long Wuennenberg had been with Disney or the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“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.
Numbers
40 MPH Normal maximum train speed
12 Number of trains, each identified by a different color150,000 Number of guests transported each day50 million Number of people who ride the train system each year
Rich Mckay, The Orlando Sentinel
