List Boosts Brain Cases Connected to Coasters

A Massachusetts congressman released a list Tuesday of 58 documented brain injuries associated with roller coaster rides--nearly tripling the number of previously published cases.

The list--compiled by Rep. Edward J. Markey, (D-Mass.), who has pushed for federal oversight and regulation of amusement parks--fuels a continuing controversy over whether roller coasters pose a health risk.

“These cases are starting to accumulate,” said David Moulton, Markey’s chief of staff. “It demonstrates that this problem is much more common than previously thought.

“It’s not an isolated incident in Japan. It’s dozens of cases all over the United States.”

The injuries range from aneurysms and brain hemorrhages to lesser incidents that resulted in headaches, nausea and vision problems. Eight cases were fatal.

Officials at the International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening, but they have maintained that their rides are safe and that amusement parks are one of the safest forms of recreation.

Carley Ward, founder of Biodynamics Engineering Inc. in Pacific Palisades and a frequent amusement park consultant, said she sees no direct link between rides and injuries.

“I’ve investigated a number of these cases, but in every case I’ve looked at, there’s ... some other complicating issue.

“I’ve not seen any [injuries] at a park that are directly produced in a healthy individual. It’s always been something unique about the person, or they’re very elderly.”

Of the 58 cases tracked by Markey, 51 have occurred since 1990, when, he said, the amusement park industry began an “arms race” to build faster, higher and more thrilling rides. Ten cases were reported at California parks.

Twenty-two of the cases have been published in medical literature.

The remainder were reported to Markey, whose office contacted the people involved, had their cases reviewed by a doctor and forwarded the information to the Brain Injury Assn. of America, a nonprofit organization studying the issue.

In January, two Minnesota doctors published an article in the Annals of Emergency Medicine finding a small but real risk of brain injuries for people riding roller coasters.

The doctors, Robert J. Braksiek and David J. Roberts, said studies should be conducted to determine the effects of roller coaster forces on the body. In New Jersey, state officials are drafting regulations that would limit those forces on roller coasters.