Head Injuries Cited in Death at Disneyland

The Washington state man who was struck in the face by a piece of metal at Disneyland on Christmas Eve died of hemorrhaging in the brain and a severe skull fracture, the Orange County coroner’s office said Sunday.

An autopsy showed the injuries caused the accidental death of Luan Phi Dawson of Duvall, Wash., who died Saturday night after he was taken off a respirator at UC Irvine Medical Center, said Larry Esslinger, watch commander for the coroner’s office.

The 33-year-old Dawson was struck when a metal cleat came flying loose from a tall ship at the amusement park. Also injured were Dawson’s wife, Lieu Thuy Vuong, 43, who was in fair condition at the hospital Sunday, and Disneyland worker Christine Carpenter, 30, who suffered serious leg injuries and was in good condition at Western Medical Center-Anaheim.

Doctors had declared Dawson brain dead at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, but waited to allow an out-of-state relative to see him before disconnecting life support, authorities said.

Dr. Richard Kim, a neurosurgeon at UC Irvine Medical Center, said Dawson suffered severe injuries to the brain and to a major blood vessel in his head.

“Each of those on their own could have been enough to be fatal,” Kim said during a news conference Sunday at the hospital.

Vuong remained hospitalized with cuts and bruises to the right side of her face, hospital spokeswoman Kim Pine said.

Vuong may suffer partial paralysis to the right side of her face and minor disfigurement, trauma surgeon Dr. Alexander DiStante said.

Pine said the couple’s relatives issued a brief statement thanking the public for “prayers and support.” The family will probably plan a private service for Dawson, she said.

One of the couple’s neighbors, Darci Donovan, said in a telephone interview Sunday that the couple were thrilled about their 10-day vacation to see family and to take their son and grandson to Disneyland for the first time.

“They were very excited about going to Disneyland,” Donovan said. “There was a high excitement level. They had been planning the trip for a while.”

Donovan said she now was concerned for Dawson’s wife and family.

“It’s a tragic thing for Lieu to be widowed and to have to raise a son by herself,” Donovan said. “She’s a strong woman. We’re hoping she has a speedy recovery.”

Cal/OSHA will investigate the accident because an employee was hurt, but no state or county agency oversees the safety of rides at theme parks, state and local officials said.