Jasmine Martinez, 10, has died after losing consciousness on Six Flags' Magic Mountain roller coaster, Revolution, on Friday in Valencia, California. Paramedics were called about 4 p.m., after Martinez returned to the ride station unconscious, but breathing. She was airlifted to a local hospital by helicopter - where she died Saturday. "On the day of the incident, state investigators determined the cause was not related to the operation of the ride and it was reopened, according to a statement from Magic Mountain," as reported by KTLA. However, "in compliance with state guidelines, the ride was temporarily closed again Monday pending a review, the theme park stated." According to the Magic Mountain, more than 45 million people have ridden Revolution since its opening in 1976 without incident.
Magic Mountain has since released a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jasmine's family and friends during this difficult time," KTLA further reports.
Late Monday, state investigators cleared the roller coaster for operation, according to park spokeswoman Sue Carpenter. Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said Monday that Jasmine Martinez of Somis died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. An autopsy is pending, the coroner's office said Monday.
The 113-foot-high looping steel coaster reaches speeds of 55 mph during a two-minute ride. The Revolution was cleared to reopen shortly after the incident. The Revolution, one of 18 thrill rides operated at Magic Mountain, is billed as the world's first roller coaster to feature a full vertical loop - 90 feet tall - and runs at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. In 2001, a woman died after riding another roller coaster at the park, leading to an autopsy that found she had suffered from the rupture of a pre-existing brain aneurysm, and that "stress and strain" from the ride was "probably a factor" in causing the weakened blood vessel to burst.
