A 13-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after reportedly climbing out of a ride vehicle and falling down the steep drop of a Disneyland attraction before the ride had finished.
The incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, located inside Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, just outside Los Angeles.
Video footage shared by TMZ appears to show the teenager sliding and tumbling down the attraction’s roughly 50-foot descent moments after a log carrying other guests had already gone over the waterfall. Disneyland officials said ride operators immediately brought the attraction to a stop once they became aware of the situation.
According to a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times, the boy was transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution. After being examined, he was released without requiring further treatment.
One witness, identified as Paul, told NBC News that he heard people screaming and quickly turned to check on his grandson. The child reportedly described seeing the boy tumble down the steep drop “like a rag doll.” Paul also captured a photo showing a crowd of park visitors gathered near the base of the attraction, looking up toward the waterfall after the incident.
Investigation Finds No Ride Malfunctions
Following the accident, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health opened an investigation to determine whether any mechanical problems or safety failures had contributed to the incident.
Agency spokesperson Katherine Wzorek told NBC News that inspectors found no operational defects during their review. After completing the inspection, officials cleared the attraction to reopen on Tuesday.
Like many traditional log flume rides, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure does not use lap bars or shoulder restraints. Instead, the boats are designed with a low center of gravity to help keep riders securely seated throughout the experience.
Safety specialists have also pointed out that installing restraints on water-based attractions is not always the safest solution. In the unlikely event that a ride vehicle were to overturn in water, restraints could make it more difficult for passengers to exit quickly, potentially creating additional risks.
