Underwater lake of death | Video credit: nautilus original sound - Angelika Koch. The accident comes at a particularly bad time for Lake Compounce, the nation's oldest amusement park. Located on the Bristol-Southington town line, the park is hosting ESPN's X Trials this weekend. Does anybody remember her? > (Saturday, May 15, 2004) - At a carnival in Ballroom MusicI worked at LC in 1999 / 2000 / 2001 (yea, those tough years) and we heard music from there quite a bit. All will ttify that they have seen lights go on and off midway games that were.closed make noise and odd figures in the starlight ballroom. His brother was working under a lower section of the coaster, he said, when tragedy struck. are you ready to face your fears on phobia? Lake Compounce remained under the ownership of the Pierce and Norton Corporation until 1966, when Edward G. Pierce sold his share to the Norton family. Im 64 YO. A 25-minute Chairlift amusement ride that took riders to the top of Southington mountain and back. OSHA rules were again violated when Bernard Jaworski, a maintenance supervisor, ordered Martinez and two other workers to trim weeds beneath the tracks, the suit says. So that way it is quicker for us to get around instead of going through the lines with the public. > Carnival worker arrested, charged with original sound - ace.high.ash. The park was cited by the She told me no the event had closed for the night, and it was quiet time. My parents brought me to the park the night of the Milli vanilli concert, my neighbor and close friend Matt was killed working the tornado. The park paid a $14,000 fine to OSHA in connection with Martinezs death, a penalty lower than it might have been because of what the agency called managements commitment to go above and beyond the agencys standards. OSHA imposed a separate $7,000 fine against the park in Matthew Hennes death. It was designed and built by Connecticut actor William Gillette, the original portrayer of Sherlock Holmes in silent films. In the ensuing decades, the park grew steadily, adding more picnic and swimming areas as well as the states first 10-pin bowling alley and a ballroom. At the water park I played a game with a co-counselor where he would count the normal sized people walking by and I counted the larger park goers. > drunkenness after child falls from Yo-Yo I have grown up going to Lake Compounce and have been affected by 4 of these unfortunate happenings. He said he couldn't comment further on the incident. [20] In 2013, the park added the Bayou Bay wave pool as part of its expansion plans. [9] Shortly after, Lake Compounce purchased the Lake Compounce Carousel for $10,000, opening it on Memorial Day, 1911. "I seen him fall, just drop to the floor," said Baez. He unlatched his seat belt, left the seat and then clung to the seat briefly before falling to the pavement. Disneyland had a similar accident, fortunately no one was killed, a few years ago. Now I feel stupid. Any rumors that he causes accidents is absolutely absurd. > it should have been removed, but who would ever On only $5. For whatever reason, it seems as though Lake Compounce has been cursed from the very beginning legend has it that shortly after John Compound (the Native American chieftain who the park is named for) traded the property in 1684 to a group of white settlers, he drowned in the lake while trying to cross it in a large brass kettle. (Hey, thats the story!) 132 Likes, TikTok video from ace.high.ash (@ace.high.ash): "#greenscreen #drowning #unsolvedmysteries #unsolvedcasefiles #crimestories #crimescene #people #lake #lakedeaths #lakedrowning #fyp". I dont know why he commited suicide, he was so young. Well one night I was having a break with a co-worker and my shirt was pulled so hard I was pulled off the bridge onto the ground. Can. As a former employee there are many little things that happen there all the time. In one case, Martin said, a patron's dangling foot caught a maintenance worker's head beneath the coaster, breaking the patron's foot and knocking out the employee below. Other thrill rides include Wildcat, Thunder If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! Neighbor Hector Mardonado remembered Martinez as a "very nice kid"from a "very nice family" who never had any trouble with anyone. If the gate was left open, *click*. He bought me funnel cake afterwards so really it wasnt so bad. "What's so special about today that they couldn't tell us?" You can read the parks official unabridged history here. Ken Martin, a Virginia-based safety consultant to the amusement park industry, said his first impression is that the coaster's operations staff and the groundskeepers weren't communicating as they should. Lake Compounce opens for the summer season each year at the end of April. 13.1K Likes, 91 Comments. Anways, if your interested in going to newer places, check this place out Lake Compounce. Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol and Southington, Connecticut. Opened in 1846, it is the oldest, continuously-operating amusement park in the United States. It spans 332 acres (134 ha), which includes a beach and a water park called Crocodile Cove included in the price of admission. 3 twisting enclosed body slides that were tan in color, 20,000 seat outdoor amphitheater, home to concerts for many big names bands, and was constructed during the JEG era of the park, Flat bottom paddle boat that transported guests across the lake, themed as a classic steam boat, This page was last edited on 7 December 2022, at 07:32. I think not. Prayers to the familys as this sad time . He called Martinezs death a tragic accident, but there is no blame to be laid at the feet of Lake Compounce, he said, based on all the investigations conducted internally and by outside authorities.. > small child? > drunk and refused to cooperate with investigating Were hoping that people are going to be pretty happy with some of the acts that we have coming in," Winters said. The accident comes at a particularly bad time for Lake Compounce, the nation's oldest amusement park. One of them caught my eye and I suddenly felt a cold shiver run up and down my spine. After being unable to find a buyer, JEG filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and liquidated the park. I think the nuttiest story I heard was from a guard whos worked there since the new ownership in 96. Officials at Lake Compounce Theme Park declined Thursday to discuss the circumstances of Martinez's death, but they provided general information about safety I worked there in the summer of 2002. When we went to investigate, we saw that it was a fire extinguisher with a gash in itwhich was very odd, considering that absolutely no one went down that hallway prior to us. Winters said that the stage will be floating on the lake in the water park area of the Lake Compounce. 323 Likes, TikTok video from Uk crime (@ukcrimes): "Prayers to the familys as this sad time #awareness #solihulllaketrajedy #fyp". On typical opening days, Lake Compounce hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. What really happened? The suit says a lock that would have stopped mechanic John Fitch from operating the Boulder Dash roller coaster with Martinez beneath the tracks was not in use, a violation of federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. "They started operating the ride without telling us," Baez said. Use of this site is governed by our Terms Of Service and Privacy Policy. > amusement park. As one could imagine, there is a lot of history in this park that dates back to 1846. i rode the wooden rollercoaster two days after it decapitated that matinence worker in 2000 it was also the day after the more updated rollercoaster across from the wooden on got stuck upside down for hours i felt bad for riding it so soon after. [24][25], During December, the park becomes covered in lights, becoming a Christmas experience for adults and children. iv been the once and we saw a shadow of a little 6-year-old boy and trust me it was creepy, BSIf your going to make up a story, at least have half brain to make one up where you not easily going to get caught in a lie,lol, iv been the once and we saw a shadow of a little 6-year-old boy and trust me it was creepy. A 40-foot (12m) drop tower designed for children. "It could have been prevented" if the park followed normal safety standards, Martin said. In 1914, Lake Compounce opened the Green Dragon, the park's first electric-powered roller coaster. A bunch of seasoned workers have stories ,but I thought that one was the most interesting. I grew up in Plainville, the next town over. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. 197 Likes, TikTok video from Thrill Nation (@thrillnation): "Have you visited this lovely park!? We were going up the first incline and as we reached the very top where you could get a wide view of the park and lake, leaning against the four foot wooden handrail on the right was an old man with a green vest and brown baggy trousers smiling at us as we were right at the pinnacle about to descend. > Just when I thought it Could not get Worse The good news is that despite the unfortunate tragedies and accidents, many people have enjoyed themselves immensely at Lake Compounce Amusement Park over the past 153 summers, and will do so again this year. Connecticut State Police, office of the State Fire Marshal, Southington police and fire departments and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident. This has just got too stop. These same factors had similar effects on other parks in the New England region, such as Canobie Lake Park and Riverside Park. TikTok video from Tuff_Merc (@tuff_merc): "Lake Compounce fell off fr #lakecompounce #lc #bristol #ct #connecticut #cttok #connecticuttok #mike #strangerthings #fyp". "For unknown reasons, the employee was struck and killed by the coaster," Bisi said about an hour after the accident. The Chief is obviously active, but means no harm. Some of the maze employees and I saw a thick smoke coming from down an abandoned hallway. TikTok video from Lake Compounce (@lakecompounce): "are you ready to face your fears on phobia? Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Baez' parents, Alfonzo and Maria Baez, adopted Martinez, their nephew, when he was six years old, according to Eli Baez. Investigators say that the child's fall was not related to a mechanical problem, but that the three-year-old should not have been allowed on the ride. even though this incident with the tree is a bit different than the S:ROS accident, still, I wonder if the parks are going to not only reinforce the training they give the ride ops, but what about a little more education of the gp as to safe riding practices. Lake Compounce, from what I hear, does the haunted theme year round with the haunted games, ride etc.. because of the fact that its believed to be haunted. > pavement. During one of these walk-arounds, he heard kids laughing from near the lake. Tagged Friends. Lol, Im from Bristol and still go to lake componce. Haunted ballroomI heard the same honky tonk piano in the ballroom as a child. Hours are subject to change and typically vary during special events. But then he moved his brother's head and saw that his skull had been split open. I was a ride operator for the deep south team. In orientation, they talked about the accidents that happened and what we could do for safety, etc It was no secret to people that live in Bristol, that Lake Compounce is rumored to be haunted. He was one of those off-season guards who sit in a hut and watch video cameras from all over the park and periodically does a walk-around. Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, "Oldest Amusement Parks in the United States", "Photos: 21 oldest roller coasters in the world", "Lake Compounce: Bringing Amusements to the State's Residents Since 1846", "140-year Run of Fun at Lake Compounce Perseveres", "Vintage Video: Milli Vanilli Performs 'Live' On Club MTV In 1989", "When the Carousel Comes Grinding to a Halt", "New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced", "New multi-million dollar roller coaster coming to Lake Compounce next year", "Lake Compounce Announces "Phobia" for 2016", "Lake Compounce Closes Sky Ride Attraction Permanently", "Haunted Graveyard among top Halloween treats", "Phobia Phear Coaster Lake Compounce (Bristol, Connecticut, USA)", "In the Region /Connecticut; An Amusement Park on a Roller-Coaster Upswing", "The Shore Line Trolley Museum: Articles: Lake Compounce", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Compounce&oldid=1126051865, Tourist attractions in Hartford County, Connecticut, Buildings and structures in Bristol, Connecticut, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The stage will be roughly 50-to-70 feet from audiences on the shore depending on the water level. This enchanting train made its inaugural run the following year when more than 100,000 passengers rode on more than 35 tons of 17 gauge steel track that completely encircled the lake. The park was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the death of the worker, Matthew Henne of Southington. XD, yeahHow would you know it it was a boy and was 6? INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- A California father is under arrest for murder after his baby daughter's body was recovered from the Los Angeles River in Long Beach, police said Ive slept with one eye open ever since. I worked at the Lake in the summers of 2000-2002. http://www.exploretalent.com/articles/worlds-tallest-roller-coaster-unveiled/, its def hauntedi used to work there,i would wander the ballroom on my breaks and i would find and hear strange things, like music playing or faint voices, i found a large puddle of water on the floor that wasnt there on my way in one day, i was the only one in the building, and it appeared within a few minutes. its not haunted. The effects of the Great Depression and the popularity of the automobile brought trolleys in the United States into a decline, which negatively impacted attendance at Lake Compounce. These same factors had similar effects on other parks in the New England region, such as Canobie Lake Park and Riverside Park. The chatter was indiscernible, probably because we just werent close enough. WebLake Compounce owes me money. [1][2] It spans 332 acres (134ha), which includes a beach and a water park called Crocodile Cove included in the price of admission. I propose the following new warning signs: 3) Do not ride if ride op has just been discharged from drug rehab, 4) Do not ride if seems more interested in hitting people in line than following safety procedures. I grew up in bristol and knew many people who have worked there over the last decade. I was there in July 1989 when milli vanilli died. He let Bristol PD know that some kids broke in and to keep an eye on the area. jamboree back in the 70s. That year Funtime merged with Premier Parks, which went on to purchase Riverside Park (now Six Flags New England) 30 miles north near Springfield, MA and owned other parks such as Great Escape in Lake George, NY. Hikes and Walks Legends Weird Places. Tom Wages, general manager at the park, declined comment. Deep water. In 2017, there were over 47,000 opioid Is 2004 cursed or something? The arms rise when the rider pulls the control stick towards them-self, and the elephant descends when the control stick is pushed away. I keep reading on here , Ive been going there every summer since I was a kid and have seen nothing, its fake blah blah. You guys need to remember that most spirits dont come out around a huge ass crowd like that, or they simply just blend in with everyone else. The train consists of five cars with two children or one adult and one child per car. His park had public swimming and rowing on the lake, a gazebo for lakeside band concerts and several rides. All-new for 2023, enjoy live concerts all summer long directly on the lake! Grab a 2023 Silver, Gold, or Platinum Season Pass and experience FREE concerts all summer long. Ruiz said. They had were totally smug about their inspectors and inspections after the S:ROS incident. Trees become old, and sometimes their branches fall at unfortunate times. Sadly, their reaction was cut down dozens of trees. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Can things get any worse? Nor have I seen any unsightly images throughout the park. I looked over to the wall at the right where there were several old antique B&W pictures. This is crazy. Martinez began working at the park this season, according to Richard Bisi, a spokesman for Lake Compounce. In 2000, the roller coaster Boulder Dash was opened, and later received the 2004 Golden Ticket Award for the #1 rated Wooden roller coaster by "Amusement Today. ', Democrats retain CT 100th District House seat in Middletown with Kai Belton's special election win, CT man killed by police at Springfield MGM casino, years after son was shot by cops in New Britain, wife says, Shoreline Conference semifinal between Cromwell, Morgan should be a classic, Ridgefield couple unable to sue for emotional distress after delivery driver killed dog, judge rules, The Best Private High Schools Near Hartford, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT. But Ruiz said the park is generally good about safety, and DeJesus, the ride operator, said the rules are "real strict" in his department. [23], During October, the park runs a Halloween event. A tree branch breaking and falling on a mother and child. And in a tragedy that hit too close to home, in 2004, a 5-year-old Shelton boy who was in my sons preschool group and we knew well was killed when a tree branch fell and struck him (a sad, freak nightmare occurrence that still haunts me). The oldest continuously operating theme park in the U.S. is rumored to be haunted. Another version has Compound killing himself when he realized he hadnt gotten fair value for the land, while yet another suggests his own tribe murdered him in retaliation for giving away their sacred ground. Really! SOUTHINGTON Lake Compounce is seeking to hire over 1,000 new employees for its upcoming 2023 summer season. Enjoy a day of thrilling coasters and rides at Lake Compounce! Trees are hardly unique to theme parks so this sort of accident could've happened anywhere. In addition to the 14th oldest wooden roller coaster in the world, Wildcat,[4] its newer wooden roller coaster, Boulder Dash, has won the Golden Ticket Award for the #1 Wooden Coaster in the World for five consecutive years. Drew Intern is drinking a Lil' Heaven Crushable IPA by Two Roads Brewing Company at Lake Compounce. I worked at Lake Compounce for two years, and have walked through the park alone and at night plenty of times. (Saturday, May 15, 2004) - At a carnival in Manchester, Connecticut, a three-year old boy fell from his seat on a Yo-Yo ride. 362 Likes, 29 Comments. What does that say about our countries health?