Superman Tower of Power in Kentucky image:31018:0::0

The Six Flags' Kentucky Kingdom was the scene today about 5pm where a 13-year-old girl's feet were both severed at the ankles.

The young girl was riding the Superman Tower of Power when a cable on the ride broke loose and wrapped around her ankles. On their website, it says The Superman Tower of Power is free-fall ride that carries you to the top of the 230-foot tower and then drops down at over 60 mph. All the news articles are saying it is 177 feet tall and drops riders at 54 mph.

Chris Williams and Treva Smith were both witnesses to the accident. They said

“We seen the cable break loose soon as it got to the top on the right-hand side,” it snapped again as the ride descended. The people on the ride just came and hit the ground,”

Treva Smith said she saw the girl when the accident happened. She saw the girl's feet were gone but did not see any blood. When she came upon her, the young girl must have been in shock because she was calm, not crying or screaming like others on the ride.

Chris Stinnett was on another ride next to the Superman ride and he said

"I seen the car go up. Then, like, the cable broke, I heard -- pwchh -- and I heard a lot of people screaming," "The cable went under the car -- and I seen it pull up and hit a lot of people -- and I seen them bring their legs up."

The ride is now shut down and a full investigation is being done. The park did not close after the accident.

The girl is in the hospital where she underwent surgery. There is no word on her condition has been released yet.

A spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions said safety statistics aren't kept for individual rides.

According to the association's Web site, 1,713 injuries occurred on rides during 2005. Of those, 132 required overnight treatment in a hospital.

Here is a link that shows other amusement park ride accidents.

Other sources used are found here and here.