Louisville Zoo Derailment Train
At least 22 people were injured June 1 when the Louisville Zoo train fell off the tracks. Nineteen people were taken to hospitals, including one child who was critically injured, officials said. Another two people chose to seek medical attention on their own.
The train of open-air cars is pulled by a small engine and circles the zoo on two miles of track. The train was carrying around 30 passengers when three cars and the engine fell off the rails near the gorilla exhibit. One person was trapped then freed, zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger said.
Seventeen children were taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital for treatment. Five adults were taken to University of Louisville Hospital, and spokesman David McArthur said all were in fair or better condition, and tha one might be admitted.
Dr. Neal Richmond, CEO and medical director of Louisville Metro EMS, said one adult had a possible head injury and was “a little confused initially” but was communicating and walking. Those injured were from 2 months old to senior citizens, he said.
Brian Rublein, a spokesman for Kosair, said in addition to the two children admitted to Kosair, three others were still under evaluation with the rest treated and released.
The train derailed around 4:30, an hour and a half before the zoo was scheduled to close, Bussabarger said. The train was behind the gorilla exhibit when it came off the tracks, she said.
Zoo officials said the train will be closed until further notice. Bussabarger said three Kentucky Department of Agriculture ride inspectors are investigating. The cause was not yet known, Bussabarger said.
The zoo train ride opened 40 years ago, Bussabarger said in a statement. The train that derailed was bought in 2000, holds 40 to 50 passengers and averages 12 miles per hour, she said.