Disneyland Accident Under Investigation

ANAHEIM, CA -- State officials are probing a Disneyland accident that hospitalized an employee who was working on Space Mountain.

A 68-year-old machinist was injured while testing a rehabilitated vehicle on the ride. The accident happened Oct. 3 about 9:45 p.m., said Erika Monterroza of the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA.

The man suffered back, chest and head injuries when the vehicle struck him, Monterroza said. KNBC identified him as Christopher Monday of Lakewood.

Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown said the employee remains hospitalized at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, but declined to release his condition. The L.A. Times described the injuries as critical.

Brown issued a statement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with our cast member and his family. On behalf of his fellow cast members, we offer our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.''

Cal/OSHA investigators can take up to six months to review what happened, but on average take three to four months, Monterroza said.

-- City News Service