LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two monorail trains crashed early this morning in the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train’s operator, emergency officials said.
The transit system, which shuttles thousands of visitors around the sprawling resort each day, was shut down while authorities investigated the holiday weekend wreck.
The monorail operator died at the scene of the crash, which happened around 2 a.m., said Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department. The other train operator was not injured. Jones said five park guests were treated at the scene, though the Orange County Sheriff’s office said six were treated.
It is unclear what caused the crash, Jones said. Orange County Sheriff’s officials are investigating the cause.
Disney Vice President of Communications Michael Griffin identified the deceased driver as 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg. Griffin would not discuss how long Wuennenberg had been with Disney or the circumstances surrounding the crash. Disney officials also refused to talk about how the monorail system operates.
“They are extremely rare,” Griffin said of accidents at the park. “The safety of our guests and cast are a top priority above all else.”
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