Over the weekend, reports came out about a Georgia student killed in an accident at Six Flags Over Georgia. Though no one is exactly sure what happened yet, early reports were saying the student and a friend climbed over two restricted area fences to retrieve a hat that had blown off during his ride on the BatMan rollercoaster. While underneath the coaster, the student and a friend were jumping up to try to touch the feet of the ride passengers flying passed them at 50 mph. The student was then decapitated by a passing foot. His friend was unharmed.

You can read more at The Local

This is such an unfortunate story. Understandably the student wanted to go back ad get his cap, but what would possess him to jump up and try to reach out to the passengers? I understand trying to be cool, but this is such a tragic event, and it could have been avoided.

Maybe the theme park needs higher security fences around their rides (6 years ago, a maintenance workers was also killed underneath this ride in the same manner). Maybe the theme park needs more security warnings “Do not cross this line or you could be killed”.

But when kids are having fun with each other, sometimes stupid things happen. I’d like to believe the theme park did all they can do to protect their visitors, but if not, they will surely be held accountable.

My thoughts go out to this student’s family in this hard time.

Have you seen any instances of this group mentality? Maybe mixed with teen grandeur (”I’m invincible”)? What are some ideas you have that could have prevented this tragedy in Georgia?