Wrongful-Death Suit Filed in Fall at Knott’s
The family of a woman who died after falling from a flume ride filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Tuesday against Knott’s Berry Farm and the maker of the Perilous Plunge.
Lori Mason-Larez, 40, of Duarte died Sept. 21 after slipping from the ride’s seat belt and lap bar as her boat descended its steepest decline, dropping 115 feet at up to 50 mph.
The lawsuit accuses the park and the Perilous Plunge manufacturer, Intamin Co., of wrongful death and negligent design and operation of the ride. “The roller-coaster ride was caused to malfunction and failed to perform as safely as an ordinary user” would expect, according to the lawsuit.
Intamin spokesmen could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Knott’s officials would not comment, saying they had not seen the lawsuit. They have said previously that they do not know what went wrong, but that when the boat returned to the loading area, the seat belt and the lap bar were locked in position. The accident is being investigated by the state Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
The complaint was filed Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
