06/23/06 — SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — It was over in an instant, but seeing Conneaut Lake Park’s Blue Streak roller coaster hit by lightning is something three people say they won’t forget.
“There was a bright flash, a bang and then sparks and smoke,” said Ron Proper, a ride operator for the Blue Streak.
“I screamed like a little girl,” said Vanessa Rolfe.
“It sent chills up me,” added Mike Colburn.
The only damage to the coaster in the 4 p.m. Thursday lightning strike was to the 75-horsepower electric motor that powers the ride, according to George Deshner, the amusement park’s director of operations. The motor dates from 1930 and is the ride’s original motor.
Maintenance crews were installing a spare motor Thursday night and the Blue Streak may be operational by the time the park opens today at noon, Deshner said.
However, that motor, acquired from a Wisconsin amusement park a few years ago, hasn’t been run.
The roller coaster had been shut down because of thunderstorms and lightning in the area and no one was on it when was struck around 4 p.m., said Proper.
Colburn and Rolfe said they were struck by sparks from the motorhouse — Colburn near his left shoulder and Rolfe on the top of her right foot.
The lightning bolt struck the metal chain that tows the ride’s cars up the first hill, Proper said. The energy was conducted down the chain and into the ride’s motorhouse burning out its 75-horsepower motor.
“There was a lot of sparks and smoke,” said Proper, who was on the ride’s loading deck about 200 feet away from the motor house.
Colburn and Rolfe were on the ride’s exit ramp talking to Proper when the bolt struck.
“I thought it did catch on fire,” Rolfe said.
Firefighters from Summit Township and Conneaut Lake Park volunteer fire departments were called to the scene, but there was no fire, said Chief Gig King of Summit Township.
H. LeRoy Stearns, the court-appointed custodian of Conneaut Lake Park, said the park keeps abreast of weather conditions in the area and shuts down rides when lightning is reported within 20 miles.
While no other damage was reported, Deshner said all of the rides — some 13 in Kiddieland and 14 adult ones — will be examined before the park reopens.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com
Local News
Conneaut Lake Park's Blue Streak struck by lightning
- Local News
-
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.
-
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.
-
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
