February 21st, 2020 by WCBC Radio
WBOY reports a guest at Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland, died Thursday evening as a result of injuries sustained while using a ride at the complex. According to an official with Wisp Resort, the guest was riding on the Mountain Coaster when an accident occurred, and he sustained injuries as a result of the accident. The guest was then taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries, the official said.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently taking place, with numerous parties — including the State of Maryland and Wisp Resort internal investigators — working together to find the cause, according to the Wisp official.
The official from Wisp also stated that the State of Maryland has performed an evaluation of the Mountain Coaster since the incident, and the inspection concluded with an approval for the ride to resume operation.
February 21, 2020 at 6:19 pm, jim said:
…he/she signed the yellow waiver stating that it was dangerous and a fatality was possible. I cannot blame wisp for this.
February 22, 2020 at 8:15 am, Dan said:
> Who said the wisp was to blame?
February 25, 2020 at 12:32 pm, daniel said:
thank you for not caring that a man just lost his life and how many people this will affect. He has family, friends, children, so so many loved ones. Waiver or not, you expect to get on, have a great trip and get off. If this was your wife, child, best friend, or loved one, you would have had a different post. so thank you for your condolences.>
February 23, 2020 at 10:13 am, mac said:
I wouldn’t sign any waiver I would just walk away.
February 23, 2020 at 10:17 am, mac said:
Welcome to the Wisp game of Russian Roulette. Just sign this waiver and enjoy yourself (hopefully).
February 24, 2020 at 10:07 am, Lav said:
I’m curious as to what the “accident” actually was. The rider has complete control over braking. I’ve ridden it twice: Once being cautious with the brake, once not touching the brake at all. The latter was scary, to say the least, and seemed that the car could have easily left the tracks. As with any ride, anywhere, you take your chances.
February 25, 2020 at 12:25 pm, daniel said:
>thank you for wanting to know what happened instead of pointing the blame. Roller coasters as you know only last a couple of minutes. During this time, no one has time to think about anything but enjoying the moment. Even though there were breaks, you don’t have time to think about what is happening in the moment of it happening to break. Millions of people ride roller coasters every day and feel that it is safe enough to ride. Im sure this man had ridden roller coasters all of his life but never had a doubt in his mind that he wouldn’t come off of one.
February 24, 2020 at 9:50 pm, Ian said:
Ultimately, the bottom line is if the car is faulty the resort is to blame. No other amusement park gives the rider the ability to disengage the security harness for safety reasons just like this. Even if Wisp didn’t have those BASIC security measures in place, there is no reason anyone especially with a child they knew, in the same car, would try and disengage their security restraints. Bottom line is, it was a faulty car or it was not checked properly after getting into the car.
February 24, 2020 at 10:15 pm, Ian said:
Where is his post?>
February 26, 2020 at 3:00 pm, Jeremy Wdowicki said:
Looks like rider error:
https://www.localdvm.com/news/maryland/update-name-preliminary-information-released-on-death-at-wisp-resort/
In their preliminary investigation, troopers said they believe that Congdon removed his safety harness at some point while riding on the Mountain Coaster, which has a brake that can be controlled by the rider and all of the mechanical and safety systems were inspected and shown to be in working order.
March 02, 2020 at 12:21 pm, Dick Bolt said:
My basic belief on all WISP activities is: No paid to play person or family member should be in risk of their life or major injury!
WISP has had other injury accident on the coaster. Some were likely from riders trying to catch the coaster ahead.
This deadly one had two on a coaster (assume it was one designed for that) and local scutter but info says it was a child. The adult might have been trying to help the child? Also, it looks like from aerial photos, WISP has added at least two loop-de-doos near the end of ride. WISP & EMS response was likely delayed from access reasons. I believe WISP has more to do to increase safety their. Remove trees (& other side hazards) or protect them in turns. Increase required coaster separations. Possibly eliminate young children as second rider? Two seat coasters with higher side rails?
March 10, 2020 at 7:53 pm, Christopher said:
Harry DID NOT UNDO HIS HARNESS!!! Anyone who says so is lying, lying, lying!