Although Disneyland is heralded as “The Happiest Place on Earth”, even this magical kingdom has seen its fair share of heart-wrenching tragedies. The recent wrongful death lawsuit involving a fatal allergic reaction at Disney Springs has brought some of these historical incidents back into the spotlight.
One such somber event involves Deborah Gail Stone, an 18-year-old who had just begun working at Disneyland in 1974 to earn some cash before heading off to college. Recently graduated from high school, she took on a role as a hostess for “America Sings”, a newly-opened attraction that featured a rotating theater where animatronic animals performed songs from various eras of U.S. history.
On the evening of July 8, 1974, just nine days after America Sings debuted, tragedy struck. Deborah was greeting guests when she moved too close to the area between the rotating wall and the stationary stage wall, becoming trapped. The exact details of how she ended up in this perilous position remain unclear, but she was tragically crushed to death.
The incident was an unfathomable horror for those present. Some audience members mistakenly thought her screams were part of the attraction, though one keen-eyed visitor realized the gravity of the situation. Despite the quick response from staff, it was too late to save Deborah.
In the wake of this calamity, Disney swiftly shut down the attraction and implemented additional safety measures, such as installing safety lights and replacing the walls with breakaway versions, to prevent a similar accident in the future. Though the attraction reopened just three days later, Deborah’s death left an indelible mark on the park’s history.
Deborah’s family reportedly received a modest settlement from Disneyland following this heartbreaking incident. “America Sings” continued to operate until it closed for good in 1988. Her tragic story serves as a stark reminder that even in places built for joy, vigilance and safety must always come first.
Source: Olivia Burke
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