SC Whizzer Accident

[[jonrev]]

Willard's Whizzer was named in honor of J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott Corporation. Following a tragic fatal accident in the loading station of the Santa Clara ride, the coaster was renamed at both parks as simply the Whizzer. The unfortunate Santa Clara Whizzer was later dismantled. The Gurnee Whizzer continues to delight park visitors to this day.

Does anyone know what happened on that Whizzer?

[clrntsqueak]

Saturday, March 29, 1980 - A 13-year-old boy was killed in an accident on the Willard's Whizzer roller coaster at Marriott's Great America theme park in Santa Clara, California. The victim was attempting to board the ride when he was struck from behind by another car. Several other people were injured in the accident. Great America is now owned and operated by Paramount.

-- rideaccidents.com

[[jonrev]]

...and what does shortening the name to just Whizzer have to do with the accident?

[Rusty888]

i don't no about you you but i wouldn't want a ride named after people died on it.

[[jonrev]]

Yeah, you're right. They then know who to sue.

[Binks Drake]

^ What? Like they couldn't find out the name of the company anyway. I don't see what that has to do with it.

[SFGA Bob]

I thought Willard's came off when the parks were sold.

[Binks Drake]

It may have here, but maybe they renamed it earlier at the Santa Clara Park.

[Andrew]

I thought Willard was the previous owner of the Whizzer when it was Marriotts.

[w00dland]

I believe I remember FParker knowing something about this...too bad I don't remember and I'm way to lazy to look up the post.

[FParker185]

originally Whizzer didnt have the side fin brakes, it was just the brakes on the center of the track, and something or other malfunctioned (brakes were not failsafe apparantly), and one train blew threw the unloading station and hit the train that was loading. After that Marriott had Schwarzkopf retrofit the ride with the regular squeeze brakes that are on the ride now.

Both Whizzers had numerous collisions opening year (a few at SFGAm made the papers), though none were fatal up to that point.

Also SFGAm's whizzer remained Willards Whizzer til pretty late into Marriott Ownership, I believe SAnta Clara's Whizzer was renamed very shortly after the accident.