Letter to the Editor:

My name is Vernon Williams and I live in Jacksonville, Fl. On Saturday May 23, around 6:30 PM friends and family of mine were involved in a malfunctioning ride at Wild Adventures theme park in Valdosta Ga.

While in the open safari portion of the ride, where the animals are in free range, the train cart in which we were riding was derailed from the tracks. The whole cart almost tipped over before finally pulling straight before coming off of the track itself.

The narrator and driver had no clue who to call or what to do. They went as far as announcing over the trains pa system for all riders to let anyone who may ask know that the driver was not speeding and to say she was going slow. We were told that we would have to walk back to the park from all the way where we were.

They finally got security out to the area where we were, along with 1 “animal” trainer and 1 emt.

Upon exiting the train for the emergency evacuation, I fell from the train onto the rocks below, hitting my head of the train and my back onto the rocks. I was on the ground directly next to a security guard who offered NO help not even asking me if I was ok. As a matter of fact NOBODY ever asked if I was ok or needed help, until after I went to guest relations to make a complaint.

They sent a crew in order to put the train back on the tracks, and made us get back on the same train to ride back to the exit of the ride. Once back inside the train was still grinding and they announced over the pa system that we may get derailed again. We didnt thank God,. I cant imagine that when there is an incident on a theme park where a train derails that protocol is to put passengers directly back in the line of danger without testing the ride, or ensuring the safety of all of those families.

After exiting the ride, still dizzy and shook up, with my 4 year old daughter completely traumatized, I walked all the way to guest relations to complain/file a report.

I spoke with a manger named LIsa, who didnt even identify herself, but made me ask her name before leaving. She never took my name, phone number, or anything. No accident or incident report was made.She did ask if a free ticket may make me feel better in which I obviously declined. Lisa said that the derailment happens often, and admitted that protocol was not followed. She said it would be addressed in one of their team meetings. She showed no care or regard and certainly no compassion.

We had a group of ten with us, my wife, daughter, and myself were there for our 1st time, while the other 7 (2 of which were also injured from the derailment) are multi-year gold season pass holders.

I have gone to the hospital due to my injuries, and have suffered a concussion, strained back, strained neck, and scrapes and bruises. ,I was prescribed 3 different medications, and have barely slept since the incident.

Wild Adventure showed 0 compassion, 0 care, and made no effort to even ask if I was ok. All I wanted was a little care or compassion and none was offered. I do not go looking for free things such as tickets or anything, yet she asked if a free ticket would help me feel better?

I am writing this to you in hopes that maybe something good will come of this, and that Wild Adventures policy may change for anyone in the future. I will never go back there and would never recommend anyone else do either. I am left hurt, my daughter is left traumatized saying she never wants to go on a train again, and I dont want to see this or worse happen to anyone ever again.

Vernon Williams

Jacksonville, Florida