history-index-47

In 1990, A tragic Parasailing fatality occurred when weather conditions deteriorated rapidly with 50+ knot winds, pulling the tow vessel backwards and preventing the boat operator's from retrieving the parasailors. The captain ordered the mate to cut the tow line allowing the two parasailors to descend into the water where they both safely evacuated away from the Gondola and both signaling the captain they were OK. One of the parasailors swam 10 feet back to the slippery tow line to hold on, and instinctively secured the slippery tow line around his leg to secure himself. During that time the parasail re-inflated with a gust of wind and started moving towards the beach. Unable to hold on, he let go of the tow line which locked around his leg, causing the runaway parasail to pull him ashore that resulted in a fatality. The court found that the Gondola initially saved both parasailors lives and was not the legal cause of one of parasailors death, but did find that the operator negligent for parasailing in deteriorating weather despite early warnings of an approaching storm front. The media attention surrounded this case and that the Gondola’s ability prevent fatalities gained the attention of Mr. Wayne Mitchell, the senior executive safety director for Walt Disney World resorts who was experimenting with the idea of bringing parasailing to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.