Extreme Velocity Attendant Who Watched Teagan Marti's Plunge Is 'Devastated'
Amusement park owner says the ride attendant is "devastated" by the accident.
Aug. 6, 2010— -- The thrill ride attendant who may have let a girl plunge 100 feet to the ground before a net was deployed is "devastated" by the accident, the owner of the amusement park told ABCNews.com today.
Bill Anderson, the owner of Extreme World in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. appears to indicate that the "operator error" occurred at the top of the Extreme Velocity ride where attendant Charles Carnell was working.
Carnell was assigned last Friday to ride the cage that carried riders 140 feet in the and prepare them for the free fall into a net below when Teagan Marti, 12, was released before the safety net was deployed
She is hospitalized, at least partially paralyzed, and is expected to undergo surgery to fuse the series of fractures in her back and neck.
A second attendant is posted on the ground and the two attendants are supposed to coordinate the release of the riders into the net.
Anderson said the error was not the fault of the attendant on the ground, but declined to discuss any additional details.
The police have completed an investigation into the accident, but have not released their findings.
Anderson said Carnell, 33, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the girl's fall.
"That ain't the case," he said, but declined to elaborate on what did occur.
Anderson said Carnell was taking it very hard.
Carnell has been given time off from his job after the accident, and Anderson said Carnell will remain an Extreme World employee, although his duties will be reassigned.
"He's been a long time employee," Anderson told ABCNews.com. "He's part of our family."
He praised Carnell's track-record, and sympathized with the man who saw the girl plummet to the ground without a net to stop her fall.
"He's devastated," Anderson said. Anderson said he brought in grief counselors to talk with staff members after the accident, and noted that they are all supporting each other.
Carnell could not be reached by ABCNews.com.
Anderson stressed that Marti's condition is foremost in their minds at Extreme World.
"We're caring very very much about that young lady," he said. "We're praying every day for her."
Marti remains in stable, but critical condition at the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, according to the family's attorney, Stuart Grossman.
He told ABCNews.com that Marti will undergo spinal surgery on Monday. Grossman also said that she has no visible brain damage, but doctors are still unsure what level of paralysis she may have.
