AUSTELL, Ga. — A teenager was decapitated by a roller coaster after he hopped a pair of fences and entered a restricted area Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia, authorities said.
Six Flags officials are uncertain why 17-year-old Asia Leeshawn Ferguson of Springfield, South Carolina scaled two six-foot fences and passed signs that said the restricted area was both off-limits and dangerous to visitors, spokeswoman Hela Sheth said in a news release.
Authorities were investigating reports from witnesses who said the Ferguson jumped the fences to retrieve a hat he lost while riding the Batman roller coaster, said Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce. Police have declined to release the teenager's name until an autopsy is completed.
Six Flags said it closed the roller coaster after the Saturday afternoon accident out of respect for the Ferguson's family.
Police said the ride was going full-speed when the Ferguson was struck. The ride's top speed is 50 mph, according to the park's Web site.
No one riding on the roller coaster was injured, Sheth said. The teen was with another boy who also entered the restricted area but was not injured, Pierce said.
Ferguson and his parents were at the park with a group from the Oakey Spring Baptist Church near Springfield, S.C., police said.
In May 2002, 58-year-old groundskeeper Samuel Milton Guyton of Atlanta was killed after he wandered in a restricted area under the Batman roller coaster's path and was struck in the head by the dangling leg of one of the ride's passengers. The ride was closed for a day to allow the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to inspect the ride. It was deemed safe for passengers.
In June 2007, a teenager's legs were severed when cables snapped on the Superman Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Ky. Doctors were able to reattach Kaitlyn Lasitter's right foot, but she had to have some of her left leg amputated and subsequent surgeries.
State officials blame a faulty cable and slow response by an amusement park ride operator in the accident. Her family is suing Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, claiming the park failed to maintain the ride and equipment and ensure riders' safety. The amusement park has denied liability in court
Pamela Anderson's mother wishes she was gay.
The former 'Baywatch beauty - who has been married to Kid Rock, Tommy Lee and Rick Salomon - revealed her mom Carol thinks her love life is so troubled she should try her luck with women.
She said: "Lately my mother has said, 'I wish you were gay, considering your choice of men!' "
Pammie said Tommy, with who she has two sons and recently rekindled her relationship, makes sure he knows every story that appears about her on the internet.
She added to Radar magazine: "I can't get rid of him. For some reason, Tommy has me Google Alerted. He'll always be like, 'What's this?' 'What's this?' He gets every single thing. And I'm like, 'Honey! Stop Google Alerting me!' He loves me. I love him. But I don't Google Alert him!"
The 40-year-old actress also revealed she recently discovered she was of Eastern European descent.
She said: "My mom just found out we're Russian and not Dutch. Long story. But until that point, she was still collecting wooden shoes and windmills!"
David Beckham was left with red hot genitals because of a faulty car heater.
The English soccer star ran into trouble when the heated seats of his 4x4 car malfunctioned in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Galaxy player was driving when the setting jammed on heat, forcing him to pull over and find something to cushion his scorched manhood.
An onlooker told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "One minute he was tearing across Los Angeles, the next, he was rolling down his windows, panting and staring down at his crotch in horror.
"There were lots of fans and paparazzi following him, making it even more difficult for him to sort out his boiling bits. He was gutted to be caught cushioning his seat from the hot leather."
David recently showed the world his seemingly impressive tackle in a series of new adverts for Emporio Armani.
The 33-year-old sports superstar models the fashion house's autumn and winter 2009 underwear collection.
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