Duvall Man Hurt At Disneyland Dies From Injuries

The Duvall man who was hit in the face by a metal cleat from a Disneyland ride died yesterday.

Luan Phi Dawson, 33, was hit when a rope ripped the cleat from the bow of the Columbia, an 84-foot, 1950s-vintage replica of a tall ship.

Dawson's wife, Lieu Thuy Vuong, 43, also of Duvall, suffered head injuries in the accident.

Dawson was declared brain dead yesterday morning and at 9:30 p.m. was taken off a respirator at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center, said Cullen Ellingburgh, supervising deputy for the Orange County coroner.

Vuong was first reported in critical condition, but her condition was upgraded to fair yesterday, according to a UCI Medical Center nursing supervisor.

The accident, at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve day, was apparently triggered as the ship approached the dock after a routine voyage through the park's Rivers of America ride.

A docking rope ripped the cleat - a metal, anvil-shaped device used to secure rope - from the bow of the Columbia; it flew through the air, hitting the two tourists and entangling Disney employee Christie Carpenter at dockside, Disneyland officials said.

Carpenter, 30, of Anaheim was also hospitalized.

She was first reported in stable condition at Western Medical Center-Anaheim with serious injuries to her left foot and ankle. Hospital officials last night would not give an updated condition.

Dawson, who worked at Microsoft, moved to Duvall a year ago after living for several years in Seattle, said a neighbor who asked that she not be identified. The family had gone to the Los Angeles area with a son, 4 or 5 years old, and a grandson, the neighbor said. The family's teenage son did not go with them.

"It was a big thing," the neighbor said. "They've been planning for it for a while and they were excited about going. This is just an awful thing."

Paul Pressler, president of Walt Disney Attractions, issued a written statement yesterday, saying: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic event. We are doing everything possible to assist and care for these families during their time of need."

The Los Angeles Times reported that Disney officials refused to comment yesterday on allegations from some former workers that disrepair or dry rot might have played a role in the accident. On Friday, Disney employees at the nautical ride called such allegations unfounded.

Mark Carleson, deputy chief of the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), said on Friday that the investigation into the accident is expected to be lengthy.

According to California state and local officials, no state or county agency oversees the safety of rides at theme parks, but Cal/OSHA will investigate because an employee was hurt.

"We're working throughout the holidays to conduct a full and thorough investigation to prevent a similar accident from occurring," Pressler said in his statement.

After the accident, a sign posted at the entrance of the Columbia ride said it was closed because of "river construction." The rest of the park remained open.

The Columbia, built soon after the park's opening in 1955, has tall masts and sails but moves under engine power. It will remain out of service until the investigation of the accident is complete, according to Disneyland officials.

Dawson becomes the ninth person - including visitors and employees - to be fatally injured at Disneyland since it opened in 1955, according to an Associated Press report, although that tally is not confirmed by the park.

Also on Thursday, a 4-year-old boy from California's Palos Verdes Peninsula suffered a concussion when he fell from the Disneyland carousel.

This report contains information from The Associated Press.