Testimony described "massive chest injuries" and a laceration consistent with the metal edge of the America Sings stage. The autopsy would have mapped these injuries onto a body diagram—a document that ride safety experts have tried to obtain for decades to test against modern ride gap standards (which now require a minimum of 9 inches for pinch points).
Deborah Gail Stone was a young woman who tragically lost her life on August 6, 1980. Born on February 17, 1958, Stone was only 22 years old at the time of her death. She was a resident of Nassau County, New York, and had a promising future ahead of her.
As the mechanism began to turn, she was caught in the closing space—a gap only a few inches wide—and was fatally crushed. While some guests heard her screams, many initially mistook them for part of the show. By the time operators reached her, Stone had already died from her injuries, which were later pronounced at 11:00 p.m.. Autopsy and Investigation Findings deborah gail stone autopsy report top
It is believed she either tripped, stepped backward, or attempted to move between stages during a transition. Unlike the previous "Carousel of Progress" which rotated counter-clockwise, America Sings
: Extensive crushing trauma to the thoracic cavity and internal organs. Born on February 17, 1958, Stone was only
New warning lights and sensors were installed to alert operators if anyone was in a dangerous zone.
: At approximately 10:37 p.m. , during a routine show rotation, Stone was caught between a stationary wall and a moving rotating wall. While some guests heard her screams, many initially
Witnesses and reports indicate she suffered massive trauma as she was "dragged, twisted, and injured" by the moving machinery. Some reports suggest her hair may have been caught on a mechanical arm, though this is often debated in unofficial circles. Consciousness: