We don’t know the name of the 13-year-old injured or her condition tonight, but we were here shortly after the accident and spoke to witness’s as they told us what they saw and heard.

“On a roller coaster it sounds exciting, fun, and a blast,” says witness Whitney Sandfer. “On that, it sounded like people were freaked out.”

According to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, around 4:45 Thursday afternoon the Superman Tower of Power malfunctioned.

“All sudden I heard a big ‘cchh’, and the cable broke off, then it came down and hit a lot of people,” says witness Chris Stinnet.

Another witness, Megan Walthen, didn’t see the ride malfunction but hear the reaction of those around her. “All I heard was Chris saying ‘oh my god’ and people screaming,” she said. “Then I looked up and saw the little thing hanging down, the little string.”

The park tells us a 13-year-old girl was injured, her legs severed just above the ankle.

A park spokesperson says EMT’s were on the scene immediately and the girl was taken to University Hospital.

In the short statement the park released, they say that the ride has been shut down and will remain that way until a full investigation has been completed.

From earlier this afternoon:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A young girl was injured on a thrill ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

Louisville Metro Police Dispatch tells us that both of the girl’s feet were severed in this accident.

“I saw a lot of kids go up… I seen them going up then it came down and the cable came back around and hit a lot of people… They said the cable wrapped around somebody’s legs and ripped them off,” said one witness.

Web story produced by Jay Ditzer.

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom released the following statement Thursday evening:

- - - - -

From The Associated Press:

Also Online

View this story

The accident happened around 4:45 p.m. on the Superman Tower of Power at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, said Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg.

The extent of the person’s injury was unknown, Goldberg said.

The ride takes passengers straight up 177 feet before a free-fall of 154 feet, reaching a speed of 54 mph.

It is unclear at what point during the ride the person was injured, Goldberg said. The person was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Louisville EMS said it could not comment on the extent of the person’s injuries due to privacy laws.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)