The storm itself rolled through the Oakland section (where I'm at, and just about 6 or 7 miles from the park) and it has wrecked havock here. [7] The MonFayette Expressway will eventually go past Kennywood, which will prompt an expansion of the park when it is built. The park has reported attendance greater for one Fright Night than they have on a good normal operating day. Information on victims was unavailable from the other hospitals. Authorities identified the woman killed in the collapse as Stephanie Wilkerson, 30, of Monroeville. Old Mill opened in 1901. During the remodeling, the ark was entirely rebuilt. Each boat is lifted to the top of the ride by a lift hill before making a 180-degree turn and descending the 50-foot drop and splashing down into a landing pool. The Kennywood girls outside were pushing us in there, but the [workers] inside there were pushing us back out," she said. This is the water fountain located between the Grand Prix and the Windmill, in what is probably the most beautiful and serene part of the park. Adults may ride. Email webstaff@wtae.com to help. The standing manager, Andrew S. McSwigan, along with partners Frederick W. Henninger and A. F. Meghan, leased and operated the park as Kennywood Park Limited beginning in 1906.[9]. The victims were taken to six hospitals, where they were being treated for injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to broken limbs. This would explain why the whip was still opened. This historical marker greets visitors as they enter Kennywood. After ten years, the ride was re-designed and rebranded once again as Le Cachot (French for "The Dungeon") in 1972. Reported that several trees fell on the Log Jammer, and people are crediting the ride with saving their lives. They "kept people from being crushed," he said. Damnit that sucks. Kennywood Up to 100 people were trapped beneath its timbers, including a 30-year-old Monroeville woman, Stephanie Wilkerson, who died at the scene. "The rain came slowly at first, then it started pouring, and then it was going sideways. Lost Kennywood sits on a portion of the area where the park's Swimming Pool once was. Phantoms Revenge is the best steel coaster at Kennywood. There is a large decorative scaled-down windmill structure that stands in front of the park. When children take a drink from it, it looks as if the lion is going to bite their head off making it a humorous photo opportunity. As the colorful. It was then relocated a final time to a Costa Rican park where it operated from 2008 to 2013. Kennywood The ride was removed in 1995 to make room for Lil' Phantom and was purchased by and relocated to. This ride has an umbrella over top of it as well, and adults are allowed to ride. A winter scene near the former Casino building. First opening in 1973, it is one of Kennywood's most popular food stands which specializes in fresh-cut french fries. Local hospitals are expecting at least 50 people. U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark, Shooting injures three at Kennywood amusement park in Pennsylvania, US, National Register of Historic Places portal, National Register of Historic Places listings in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, "New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced", "Wristbands, hand stamps things of the past as Kennywood institutes a 'ride all day' format", "Kennywood Amusement Park Announces Ghostwood Estate New Dark Ride for 2008! It takes advantage of a ravine on the edge of the park. It was moved to the front of the park to make room for the Traver circle swing, better known as the Rocketships. "I don't know how [the trapped people] got out of there." Holy crap, and to think I was just on the Whip this past Sunday at KennyKon. In the case of the Carousel and Musik Express, Halloween-themed music is all that is played. People around them were screaming and then the roof of the Whip "just fell in," she said. The Dupal family of Plum, at the park with other Penn-Trafford school district residents, said the fury of the storm was unbelievable. Kennywood decided to change the name to the Thunderbolt in 1968 following a major renovation that increased the length of the ride's layout. Riders enter the dilapidated estate through the, A walk-through dark attraction. Kennywood discourages children under the age of thirteen from attending the park during Phantom Fall Fest at night as the atmosphere may be too intense for some younger children, but letting children attend is solely at the discretion of parents or guardians. The mini-whip is still running in Kiddieland to this day. Looking back: Deadly storm hits Kennywood Park in 2002. Tuesday marks 20 years since violent storms swept through the Pittsburgh area, including a deadly microburst that hit Kennywood Park in West Mifflin. Looking back 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Originally the ride had a tunnel after the first drop, but the tunnel was removed in the 1940's. 2002, Deadly microburst at Kennywood Park Starting in 2018 Kennywood added Happy Hauntings, a family friendly Halloween event during the daytime every Saturday and Sunday in October with Kiddieland, Thomas Town, and most of the rides opened along with kid friendly Halloween activities. He is a famous Kennywood "visitor" who has been occupying his special bench in the park for decades. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The Log Jammer's final day of operation was September 17, 2017. The trailer is hidden behind a retaining wall surrounded by landscaping. One person was killed and dozens were injured Friday night at Kennywood Park, where the roof of a building that houses The Whip ride collapsed in an severe storm. The ride lifts and tilts as it operates. Then in 1996, the ride found its first permanent home by the entrance to Lost Kennywood, between the Musik Express and Wave Swinger. The film starred Estelle Taylor, Antonio Moreno, Hedda Hopper and Lowell Sherman. Thomas Town debuted in 2018. The ride structure excluding the cars was replaced with an identical 1986 model from one of Kennywood's sister parks, Lake Compounce, in 2016. She is a mechanical laughing woman sculpted from paper mache who greets guests with her cheerful gap-toothed smile and haunting laugh. The Ghost Ship was the final theme of the dark ride located in 1899 Dance Pavilion building. The Phantom's Revenge features a maximum drop of 232 feet, and a top speed of 85 mph. "Rain came in real fast, came in sideways," recalled Sean Lear, who was a paramedic crew chief and the first emergency responder at the scene. The deceased is now being reported as an 8 year old girl. A common kiddie ride, loosely based on the iconic real-life story of World War I pilot, The most recent addition to Kiddieland, added in 2007. Helen Kistler, a lawyer from Penn Township, had spent the day at the park with her husband, Dennis, and her children, 14-year-old Emily, 12-year-old Leah and 9-year-old Nathan, all students in Penn-Trafford schools. Two 16-passenger arms swing riders back and forth with. That was one of the scariest things I've ever lived through." Riders enjoy the view from the top of The Phantom's Revenge as they get ready for the first drop. The loading platform's facade was redesigned in 1946 and in 1960. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Fear Festival was part of Gory Park for its first year. Come with us as we take a look into what makes this ride tick 93 years later, then share your favorite Turtle memory in the comments! A miniature version of the "Whip" - which was part of the original Kiddieland. During Phantom Fright Nights, she is dressed as a witch and an even creepier and evil-sounding laugh soundtrack is played. In 2005, the Wipeout was transplanted one final time to the current location of the Bayern Kurve to make way for the installation of the Swingshot. By Bill Schackner and Dan Gigler, Post-Gazette Staff Writers There was lots of wind and rain everywhere. The Definitive Ranking of Kennywood Rides As lightning flashed and rain began to sprinkle, Kennywood workers started shutting down the rides. However, this show was short lived, but many of the colored lights used in the show are still activated in the evening. This is the first Skycoaster model to be permanently installed in an amusement park. People were crying, and several were clutching their ears or wiping away blood that trickled from their ears, she said. Originally the Kurve was to be rehabbed over the winter, but due to issues with obtaining parts, the WipeOut was installed at its location and the Kurve was removed. The wind picked up the building, which is about 40 feet wide and 100 feet long, and moved it 20 feet before it crashed down onto the ride itself. During the first few years of the 20th century, Kennywood erected the Wonderland building in an area to the left and forward of where the Turtle ride is today. Look for it on the left as you first enter the park. The ride was repainted with a new color scheme in 2023 to coincide with the area being rethemed as Area 412 and the opening of Spinvasion. Six-tracked steel coaster with wooden horse-shaped trains. In the spirit of Halloween season, the park itself is given a complete make-over, with costumed actors roaming the paths, spooky music filling the air by dark wave bands Midnight Syndicate and Nox Arcana, and fog blanketing the park and every light bulb in the park is changed to a different coloreven the restroom windows are covered in colored films. A ride known as one of the mildest in Kennywood Park became the scene of death and horror last night. Its been a rough few weeks for former Italian Prime Minister and Bunga Bunga-enthusiast Silvio Berlusconi. It was removed during the 2007 season to make way for Ghostwood Estate. It is the oldest flat ride in the park and the last operating 16 car whip. Most had neck, face, and head injuries. It was removed in 2009, though the park stated in an official announcement that plans are underway to bring back the Turnpike within the next few seasons. The Kangaroo, an old favorite ride from years past, made a comeback in 2022. Labor Day traditionally marked the end of the season and the park would shut down until the spring. You'll find this historical plaque near the entrance to the ride. "I don't know how [the trapped people] got out of there.". Removed following an incident that killed a 15-year-old girl and injured another. You can clearly see the roof of the Whip down to ground level. WebKennywood Park (1927present) West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, (known as the "Turtle," 6 car model) Defunct Cascade Park (1969?? On September 24, 2022, three people were injured during a shooting inside the park during Phantom Fall Fest.[33]. Tree limbs began flying and what appeared to be a whole tree crashed onto the ice cream stand, but the worker inside was able to get out, Harshey said. The Turtle is the only operating ride of its kind left in existence. A teenage eyewitness reports a funnel cloud (not necessarily a tornado) come down from the hills at the far side of the parking lot and plow into the whip, but this is unconfirmed and no tornados have been confirmed as of yet. The report of a seperate pavillion collapse is losing credibility, as no eyewitnesses are reporting this. A 160 feet (49m) tall steel roller coaster with a 225 foot (69m) second drop into a ravine, four. Remember the Turnpike? It weaves through the park, gives you the best aerial shot of the valley and never disappoints with G-forces. People were crying, and several were clutching their ears or wiping away blood that trickled from their ears, she said. No single riders are allowed on the ride due to the lateral forces riders experience on the ride's double helix. Here's a look at the former entrance to the park. The Dipper was built in 1948 and it was redesigned in 1951 when additional hills and track were added.. Debris and numerous trees are down everywhere. "Rain came in real fast, came in sideways," recalled Sean Lear, who was a paramedic crew chief and the first emergency responder at the scene.Lear said he remembers "a lot of yelling, a lot of commotion, people asking for help -- just mad chaos, really, at the time. Wilkerson was in line with a cousin when a park official announced the Whip was closing because of the coming storm. Storms generally move east to west. After 42 years, Log Jammer was retired in 2017. The ride closed in 1947. "We started hearing thunder and then the lightning was just really horrific. When Kennywood opened to the public, this was one of only three major buildings in the park. This attraction originally debuted with gasoline powered cars and was sponsored by Gulf Oil.