The article reproduced below appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on July 26, 1946.
Park Ride Closed After 3 Are Hurt
by Walter LerchShutdown of the Cyclone, high-speed roller coaster at Puritas Springs Park, was ordered today by the Cleveland Police Department following serious injury there of three young women riders within a one-month period.
Latest victims, now confined in Lakewood Hospital with fractured spines, are Miss Dorothy Kazmer, 19, of 16003 Saranac Rd., and Mrs. Margaret Lucas, 24, of 6216 Wakefield Ave.
Third casualty attributed to the steep dip in the amusement park thrill ride is Miss Mary Slaminka, 23, of 9917 Dunlap Ave. She still is under a physician's care after spending nine days in Lakewood Hospital.
Capt. John L. Palker of the Lorain Ave.-Triskett Rd. Precinct put the "stop" order on the roller coaster ride as a safety measure when told by the writer of the two latest mishaps.
He previously had received a report only on the Slaminka accident. Reports on the two other accidents had been given to the Lakewood police accident squad and relayed to Central Police Station. They never reached Capt. Palker at the Lorain Ave.-Triskett Rd. station, according to the captain.
Other injuries to Cyclone riders have been reported over a period of years, including a serious mishap in August, 1942, which nearly cost the life of Daniel Schroeder, then living at 3445 E. 65th St.
Schroeder was catapulted out of his seat as the car swung around a sharp curve and he plunged 40 feet to the ground.
Both Miss Kazmer and Mrs. Lucas were injured on the first sharp drop of the Cyclone. Medical men reported the force of gravity jammed their spines as the roller coaster car whipped upward at the bottom of the V-shaped dip.
Injured Saturday
Miss Kazmer was injured last Saturday evening. She is employed at Central Press Association. Mrs. Lucas was hurt the previous Sunday while visiting the park with her husband.
Miss Slaminka was hurt on June 23.
All of the victims had difficulty in getting out of their seats at the end of their rides and were rushed to Lakewood Hospital.
Medical men said it may be a "matter of months" before Miss Kazmer and Mrs. Lucas are able to leave the hospital. Both will have to wear a brace to support their backs for a long period of time.
A. J. Ilg, secretary of the Puritas Springs Co., operators of the amusement park, said the ride was "safe," and had the "best mechanical inspection available."
"The women that were hurt had weak backs," he added.
Following notification of the police department order, representatives of the park said their insurance company had recommended that the speed of Cyclone cars on the drop be slowed down. This will be done immediately, they said.
The park carries a $50,000 maximum insurance coverage on each accident, it was reported.
Click here for the John A. Miller home page.