Rapids: Family's Weight A Factor In Accident

FAMILY ATTORNEY: RAPIDS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICING PEOPLE'S WEIGHT

Less than 24 hours after an emergency in the water, the Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach re-opened for business as usual. Park-goers swarming the slides, enjoying the sun, perhaps not knowing what happened on the Black Thunder yesterday.

An entire family of four, the Lenghan's visiting from New York, rushed to the emergency room after their raft flipped over. Their injuries severe enough that they are still hospitalized dealing with a myriad of bumps, bruises, and cuts. Marc Gottlieb, the Lenghan's attorney said: "The hospital is treating them like they had severe head trauma."

The Rapids went on the defensive Thursday with spokeswoman Tina Hatcher saying: "weight was a factor in the accident that took place." The water park says signs like this one clearly spell out that the weight on the rafts, which can carry up to 4 people, cannot exceed 700 pounds. Hatcher claims ride operators question people if they seem too heavy, but then she said this: "It's the same thing when you go to Disney. They're not going to ask you if your pregnant, do you have seizures or medical conditions? That's why every attraction at every park has signs up at their rides for the rider to read."

The family's attorney, however, told us by phone it's the park's responsibility to police their rules. "When you go to a park like this you are not thinking what your personal responsibility and personal liability is," said attorney Marc Gottlieb. An attorney, not involved in the case, put it this way: "If the ride operator is aware of the fact that participants are not following the rules , it certainly would seem they have some responsibility," said David Sales with Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart, & Shipley.

We checked in with the state and they say there is no administrative code that deals specifically with enforcement on water slides.

But the Bureau of Fair & Ride Inspections is fully investigating this accident. They plan to look into what the water slides manufacturer recommends for proper protocol.

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THE FAMILY WANTS TO SUE BECAUSE THE RIDE OPERATOR DIDN'T ASK THEM HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH? WHEN THERE ARE SIGNS THAT CLEARLY STATE THE WEIGHT LIMIT? GET REAL. THESE FAT FOLKS WOULD SUE EVEN IF THE RIDE OPERATOR HAD ASKED THEIR WEIGHT. WHY? FOR OFFENDING THEM. IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE FAT, YOU CAN SEE YOU ARE FAT, AND A SIGN CLEARLY GIVES A FAT LIMIT, DON'T OVER FAT IT. YOU TOOK A RISK BUDDY AND LOST. BE A MAN (OR WOMAN) AND BUCK UP AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS.