Joshua Smurphat fell from the Drop Zone ride at Paramount's Great. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Questions remain unanswered surrounding the tragic death of Caleb Schwab and why more safety precautions weren't taken to ensure that something like this did not happen and will not happen again. The bouquet appeared to be the last comment by the family for now. Others said the ride's harness was down and in a locked position, and that Joshua somehow wiggled out of his seat. One manager said he found it hard to believe that the safety harness could pop open, regardless of what people may have thought they saw. People flock to these theme parks because they want to experience something extreme, but also something safe. Then the U.S. government blindsided it, Dilbert and Scott Adams rapid downfall doesnt surprise anyone who followed both. Your IP: The ride is small but features spinning cars that move around on separate arms, and it was only after the ride attendant failed to see Donaldson near her grandson that he started the ride, sending a spinning car directly into the woman. binford heidi calendarer wait times university hospital. The Commission's investigation also concluded that at least 11 incidents had gone unreported between 1976 and 1979. Following an autopsy report it was revealed that she suffered from a fatal brain aneurysm while on the ride. Another boy slipped out of his seat on a drop ride and fell to his death 23 years ago in California. 2000-02-10 04:00:00 PDT SOUTH BAY -- The mother of Joshua Smurphat, the 12-year-old Sunnyvale boy who fell to his death last summer at Paramount's Great America, has filed a lawsuit accusing the Santa Clara theme park of negligence. Santa Clara County court records indicate that the lawsuit was dismissed after a settlement was reached. Kernacs said Mason-Larez--who weighed 292 pounds and had a girth of 56 inches, according to a coroners report--should not have been allowed on the ride by operators. His name is fairly biblical - the city of Tyre in modern-day Lebanon is mentioned many times throughout its texts. We simply don't know what happened.". I think about it all day. It takes you back to those moments when you find out that your loved one has passed in this way," said the victims sister, Alicia OLeary. But in each case, the rider fell out, because either he or she wasnt adequately restrained or the restraints didnt work, according to government investigation reports or lawyers for the victims. The familys attorneys also said ride operators were not vigilant in securing Mason-Larezs seat belt and lap bar. Fellner's father filed a lawsuit against the park in 2005 claiming that she died due to negligence. In the third case, a 12-year-old mentally and physically disabled boy died after slipping from a roller-coaster car that free-falls 22 stories. "I personally feel like that is something that every free-fall ride should have. Dodge, a Maine-based independent safety consultant and former amusement-ride accident investigator. ", He said he will do everything he can to fight to get the Orlando FreeFall shut down and removed from ICON Park. THE family of a boy who tragically fell to his death on a drop ride 24 years ago in California has called for stricter safety measures to be implemented following a recent death of a teenager in Orlando. However, some workers and customers at Great America said yesterday that the sadness of Joshua's death seemed to cast a pall over the normally fun thrill park, which flew its flags at half-staff in Joshua's memory. "Frankly, it takes you back. Rules and regulations of Hi-Speed Race Karts states that all riders must be at least 5-feet tall, all riders must sign a release, and only one rider be allowed in a co-kart at a time. A New York man died in an apparent accident on a roller coaster in which riders stand through several loops that turn them upside down. She was taken to Memorial Regional Medical Center where she died later that day. Several of the witnesses told investigators that the safety harness went up as the ride fell. I think thats part of the reason. Witnesses reported seeing Esparza moving around in her seat and appeared not to be securely strapped into the ride. " said Winslow, a 30-year-old waiter. A second witness, a family friend who was on the ride with Joshua, said he did not remember the boy's safety harness being checked by workers before the ride began. In all three thrill-ride accidents, at parks in California and New York, the victims slipped free from shoulder harnesses, lap bars or seat belts. Once the Mason-Larez accident investigation is completed by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Falfas said, he will consider taking action--including posting weight warnings--if it helps prevent future injuries. Yet even if you are following the rules and are just there to enjoy the rides, there is still a chance that the operator will make a fatal human error or, even worse, the ride itself will malfunction, quickly turning a massive steel roller coaster into someone's cursed ride of death. Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat, told television station KTVU she was still reeling from the horror of having witnessed her son's death. Gayle Hokenson, 38, of Morgan Hill brought four kids to the park and said her whole group was nervous. On July 10, 2003 at Six Flags New Orleans, a 52-year-old grandmother named Rosa Donaldson was helping her 4-year-old grandson into the Joker's Jukebox ride when she was hit in the head by a moving car on the ride and then struck again by another. A young man died, but it was a Hispanic man. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Representatives of the amusement park in Santa Clara said yesterday they could not confirm or deny whether the harness was open. His father and local leaders gathered outside the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park where he fell to his death with balloons and a message. Examiner Photo by Craig Lee, The Drop Zone tower ride is seen at night at the Great America Amusement Park. ", The DropZone is a 224-foot tall freefall tower that drops six four-passenger cars down 207 feet at speeds of up to 60 mph. This is a carousel. Esparza was at the amusement park with her family who witnessed the horrific accident. And that is why there should be an emergency stop button available for anyone to press. It sounded like a big kerchunk, like when the harness snaps open or closed when you get on or off the ride," he said. However, once Joshua was fastened into the ride, things started to go bad. The entire ride was to be taken out of commission for the rest of the day but not until the final group of riders, including Joshua, were given their turn. Tami L. Smurphat, 39, alleges that Great America allowed four unsupervised youths to operate the Drop Zone ride on August 22, none of whom checked Joshua's harness before the thrill ride began. She was taken to Miami Valley Hospital with did not survive. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. The three Intamin accidents occurred on different types of rides at different amusement parks and involved different restraints. He says: "it has two independent locking devices, and the shoulder restraints are monitored. I tried to go in the gate," she said. The family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Darien Lake after state officials announced that the park was to blame for Hackemer's death since the ride did not clearly state that people without legs cannot ride the roller coaster. However, other accounts online claim that two boys jumped out of the log ride, but only Michael Dorsey was killed. Witnesses stated that the boy began trying to slip out of the harness when they began their ascension up the tower, and once the ride dropped into free-fall, Joshua allegedly fell out. Skyhawk is the world's tallest "Screamin' Swing" at 125-feet and moving as fast as 60mph. The manufacturer--Intamin AG, a worldwide company known for its cutting-edge roller coasters at parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneys California Adventure--has denied responsibility in all three cases. Trending News We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Attorney Ben Crump is trying to get the case expedited in court. An independent investigator as well as the formal park investigation concluded that Tamar standing on the ride was what allowed her to fall out. The friend, Jay Lingenfelter, 35, also said the accident seemed to occur when the ride's magnetic breaking system engaged more than halfway down the tower. [Mason-Larez] was under high risk, and she didnt know it.. "At the time of the accident, we believe we were operating the ride safely as specified by the manufacturer and that our associates were appropriately trained in safety and operating procedures.". There was a horrific scene at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in the summer of 2007 that left many people wondering if they would ever return to another amusement park. "We've had phone calls from people who were affected by the accident Sunday, and we have reassured them about the safety of the park," said Chanaud. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid According to the friends who witnessed the traumatic experience, the story goes that Ryan's lap bar malfunctioned during a sharp turn on the roller coaster and this caused her to be thrown from the ride. Joshua Smurphat was from Sunnyvale, CA, and died on a Sunday. Officials didn't have a hometown for Fan but said he lived on Long Island in New York. "The boy was kind of struggling to stay in, then he flew out feet first, flipped cartwheel-style over, and fell straight down on his head. Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat, told television station KTVU she was still reeling from the horror of having witnessed her son's death. "A secondary safety system will hopefully prevent a death. If you've got a fear of rollercoasters, this won't help Every summer millions of children, teenagers, and parents head to their local amusement park seeking a fun-filled day of thrills. Drop Zone Incident Final Investigation Findings. Smurphat was born in the year '87. In Palatine, Illinois, a three-year-old tragically died after suffering injuries in a go-kart accident. "I saw my son fly off of the ride. Her daughter as well as other riders witnessed Esparza being thrown from the coaster as it plummeted down the hill. The Sunnyvale boys family has filed a lawsuit against the park and Intamin, contending that the shoulder harness was not in a locked position and that the rides design allows it to start even if the restraints arent secured. How tales of posh mums drinking babies' blood turned into UK's most dangerous conspiracy - & is still ruining lives now, Eerie pictures show Walmart's warning signs cautioning shoppers they are constantly being watched. Although the ride had passed inspection, Ventures replaced the strap which connected the harness to the bungee cord with one half as thick as the regulated strap had been. On Saturday, May 31, 2003 tragedy struck at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana after a woman fell to her death from a roller coaster. Joshua was on the latest of many trips to the park, said one family friend who came to the park yesterday to drop off flowers. A disabled 12-year-old boy died after plummeting from an amusement park ride that was about to be shut down for a safety check. About Us OLeary believes that the recent death in Orlando could have been prevented if a belt was used in addition to the shoulder harness. Joshua's father, Terry Smurphat, filed suit last year against Great America and Intamin Inc., the ride's manufacturer, alleging that negligence and carelessness on their part led to the boy's fatal fall. That would have prevented my brothers death," OLeary told FOX 35. His mom saw it all. Report Tami Smurphat with a photo of son Joshua, who died on a free-fall amusement park ride. Jay Lingenfelter, a family friend who was seated next to Joshua, said the safety harness was not checked before the ride began and he heard a sound like when the harness snaps open just before the boy fell. Likewise, the book of Judges also tells the story of Samson. Although the pond was roped off, there were no signs that the water itself was dangerous. The Oklahoma Department of Labor inspected the ride only two weeks prior to the deadly accident. And they have to plan for it, said David A. Park officials could not say from what height the boy fell, but it is believed that he died instantly. #inline-recirc-item--id-91e18158-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The search for the young girl has shifted from her home to the remote and rugged Madison County, a densely forested area in the Appalachian Mountains. We encourage you to research and examine . His mom saw it all. "We're a bunch of cheery people, and we're supposed to have smiles on our faces when we come to work, but a lot of people are crying today," said a game booth operator who gave his name only as Eddie. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. / CBS. An investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture blamed flawed design. After the car hit a sharp turn, the mother and daughter were thrown violently out of the ride while witnesses watched in horror. "It sounded like a big kerchunk, like (the sound made) when the harness snaps open or closed when you get on or off the ride.". "I cannot comment directly on it," Chanaud said. After two unrelated accidents occurred on the park grounds, three people were dead. I knelt down right there and said a prayer.". The most common cause is that your DNS settings are incorrect. Local police and park investigators are trying to determine how the boy could have come out of his restraint. The Orlando Slingshot Group released this statement regarding a memorial: "We continue to cooperate with all inquiries, and it is our hope that one way Tyres name and memory can live on is through the proposed Tyre Sampson Bill, which we support. You associate them intuitively with happy family days, fun, and memories. The Dominator was reopened the following Monday with no plans to have any changes made to the ride. The family says 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat was on a drop ride at a California amusement park when slipped out of his seat and fell to his death. Officials claim that the boy jumped two separate safety fences in an attempt to find a lost hat when he was struck and killed. In the end they found that the electric shock was caused by a fault on a pump under the water. About 1.9 million riders use it every year. His family is calling for a simple safety measure that they say may have prevented his death, and the death of a teen in Orlando. "It freaked me out. Let's look at his life from a biblical perspective. The mother, Lindsay Kukich, explained to police that she received an OK from the go-kart operator to take the child on the ride. OLeary says in both cases, the boys were strapped in only with a shoulder harness no additional belt. It was later reported that she was on the inside of the ride's barrier when the accident happened. John Bonham's family funeral service took place on October 10th 1980 at Rushock Parish Church in Worcestershire. William Haithcoat and Darrell Robertson were both 20 years-old when they died tragically in the water. Officials at Cedar Point obviously closed the ride and began investigating what could have gone wrong and although there were lap bars in place and all safety precautions were allegedly taken, they later found out that Patrick was too short to be riding Cedar Creek Mine Ride altogether. Give a trial date, so this family can get answers," Crump said. "When the vehicle is in motion, there is no way to unlock it," he said. ", A large bouquet of daisies and irises, set around a smiling portrait of the boy in a New York Mets baseball uniform, was left at the entrance of the park last night by relatives. ORLANDO, Fla. - Another boy slipped out of his seat on a drop ride and fell to his death 23 years ago in California. The boy suffered from "severe mental and physical handicaps" but that did not mean that he could not ride Drop Tower: Scream Zone. The Smurphat family says officials added a safety strap to the ride Joshua was on after his death. His name was Tyre Sampson, which was my son, my only child.". According to Great America spokesman Timothy Chanaud, "The harness was checked and locked before the coach started, and it was still locked when the vehicle returned to the ground. "I saw the bar fly up after the ride started braking to stop," said Garyd Winslow of Ben Lomond, who was waiting in line for the ride when Joshua died. ORLANDO, Fla. - Tyre Sampson would have turned 15 years old on Wednesday. } Can't use the emergency stop button if the whole machine is already fucked. Sign up for the California Politics newsletter to get exclusive analysis from our reporters. Thrill Ride Harness Opened In Fatal Fall, Witnesses Say / Sunnyvale boy dies in plunge at Great America, Thrill Ride Death Probe Expected to End Soon, 12-year-old Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale died when he fell off Paramount's Great America Drop Zone Stunt Tower in Santa Clara. Four rides including the Superman ride were closed due to the horrific scene in the park. But Kernacs said there is a general warning in the manufacturers manual that only people who can be safely restrained should get on the ride. However, officials for the parks say they were following instructions from Intamin. "Frankly, it takes you back. M&D's Tsunami, 2016 It must end, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Nissan recalls over 800,000 SUVs because of defect that can cut off engine, Wall Street closes out a chilly February with another dip, Mexicos president says Musk will build Tesla EV plant in northern Mexico, Hyundai was poised to become Teslas top contender. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Tyre Sampson died during Lunation number 1227 in the year 2022. In the third accident, Joshua Smurphat, a mentally disabled 12-year-old, died in August 1999 in a fall from the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramounts Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, Calif. "I was standing five feet from where he fell when he did die," said Joshua's mother, Tami Smurphat. Paramount runs rides similar to Drop Zone at its parks in Ohio, North Carolina, and Canada, and all three were shut down yesterday awaiting the results of the California investigation, company representatives said. The family sued Six Flags for the coaster malfunction claiming that it was this that led to Esparza's untimely death. Both the company and the park have denied responsibility. Dwaileebe should not have ridden the ride because he was too obese, he said. On July 20, 2012 a woman returned from the Dominator roller coaster at Kings Dominion unconscious. Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale fell from his seat on the Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara while his mother watched from the ground. display: none; In the 2 1/2 years before a woman fell to her death from the Perilous Plunge water attraction at Knotts Berry Farm last month, at least two other people fell out of rides made by the same manufacturer, according to lawsuits and investigation reports. Park officials disputed witness accounts suggesting that the boy was not properly strapped into his seat. 19962023 Ultimate Rollercoaster, LLC. "The woman slammed into a beam [and] the child just flew," she explains. Company officials blame rider and operator error. Tamar Fellner was riding the Raven roller coaster but fell out on the first and steepest hill after she allegedly stood up in her seat during the 69-foot drop. Chanaud described the boy as "severely disabled, both mentally and physically," but said the disabilities should not have prevented him from riding safely. "Maybe cause its a color issue, thats why the thing is getting dragged around so slowly. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There is currently an investigation taking place as people have come forward claiming that there have been other close calls on the Verrckt slide in the past with safety straps coming loose and people nearly being thrown out. They then are hoisted 200 feet up a tower and free-fall about two-thirds of the way down, reaching speeds of 62 m.p.h., before braking to a halt. The day is commonly known as Black Sunday in Ohio. They have declined to comment on the accident. It seems that the restricted area of roller coasters are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than the rides themselves. However, prior to this accident the ride had no height restrictions and therefore Patrick and his family believed that they would be safe on the ride. These arent the memories you think youll walk away with," OLeary said of the tragedies. The ride was operating as normal until a cable snapped and gruesomely severed the legs of a 13-year-old named Kaitlyn Lasitter, cutting off her feet at the ankles. "You don't go to an amusement park and leave without your child. And I saw him fall to the ground, to his death, right in front of my eyes. "I wanted to run in and catch him and I couldn't. Joshua Smurphat of Sunnyvale somehow slipped out of his Drop Zone car while 50 to 100 feet above the ground Sunday afternoon. Yet every season the reports come pouring in of people seriously injured or horrifically killed while enjoying a day at the amusement park. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Sergeant James Hackemer was 29-years-old when he died on the Ride of Steel at Darien Lake Theme Park in Syracuse, New York. More than 10 years ago, there was a problem on another Intamin ride. The youngster had been strapped into the "free fall" ride with a steel harness at the beginning of the ride, authorities said, noting that there have been no other serious accidents on the ride since it opened in 1996. Park officials claim that the lap bar was securely fastened when the ride began and when it ended, thus Ryan Bielby could not have been killed due to a malfunction. It took firefighters nearly an hour to locate her body and it wasn't until a helicopter flew over the huge wooden roller coaster that her body was discovered. } The two women who were riding the raft with Caleb (Hannah Barnes and Matraca Baetz) have been speaking out in the media about possible negligence by the workers at Schlitterbahn. Joshua Smurphat fell from the Drop Zone ride at Paramount's Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara, Calif., at 3:20 p.m. Sunday, park spokesman Timothy Chanaud said. The ride features a 22-story free fall. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. What's New However, once Joshua was fastened into the ride, things started to go bad. You must be this tall to ride. Lassiter was rushed to the hospital where doctors reattached her right foot. Once reaching a height of 207 feet, the passenger car takes a 129-foot free fall. CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat" He died instantly upon hitting the concrete below. Officials at the park, which is located about 20 miles north of Richmond, released few details about the incident. A representative from the Health and Safety Executive suggested that Christopher did not remain seated correctly and this led to his ejection from the ride. Just before the fatal ride, a computer that helps operate the Drop Zone displayed an error message, forcing park officials to close one of the ride's cars. I can't conclusively say it's not criminal, but right now it appears to be an unfortunate accident.". Their suit alleges that the ride is defective and that no warnings were given. But Sampson isnt feeling really happy, as he stands outside the attraction on International Drive. 1999812 Joshua Smurphat Drop Zone Stunt Tower 20077124 Carlos Alexnoro FloresGreat Barrier Reef [ ] Douglas Smith, an associate professor of neurosurgery explains that when the head moves that quickly on a roller coaster, the brain is also moving or "deforming" inside the skull, and if this occurs too quickly it is possible to suffer serious brain injuries. Creative writer with a love for the strange and unfamiliar. He said it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the lap bar and seat belt to work on someone of her size. AP Photo/family photo, Tami Smurphat, the victim's mother. It's my life. Failure Analysis is the only organization other than the park itself that regularly checks the rides -- but that may change under legislation passed by a state Senate committee yesterday. We miss you, honey.". Gary Winslow, who was waiting in line for the ride when Joshua died, told SFGate in 1999 he "saw the bar fly up after the ride started braking to stop.". Detectives will interview employees and witnesses to determine if there was any criminal negligence or any use of controlled substances or alcohol by ride operators. He said the investigation could take several weeks to complete. Both equipment malfunctions remain unexplained by park officials. Timothy Binning survived the electrical shock and recovered. "It appears on first blush to be an accidental death," said Santa Clara police Sgt. Dwaileebe, who weighed more than 300 pounds, came out of that ride like a cork out of a champagne bottle, said his attorney, Francis M. Letro, who has filed a $5-million lawsuit against Intamin and Six Flags. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam, ChatGPT who? Witness Tammy Matczak described seeing the two bodies fly into the air. All Family Trees results for smurphat. On July 5, 1989, Michael Dorsey, a young boy of 9-years-old allegedly jumped out of the Loggers' Run boat as it was going up the flume. Wreath placed outside parking lot entrance forJoshua Smurphat, 12 years old, who died while on the Drop Zone ride Sunday afternoon. Most people, especially younger people, don't really consider how dangerous just being at an amusement park can actually be. It might end up, wind up injuring an individual if they have to use it, and it winds up catching them if you will, in the event that the primary fails but it should keep them contained," Avery explained. Directly following the accident, the ride was shut down for an investigation. Please enter valid email address to continue. A 523 error means that Cloudflare could not reach your host web server. We need to get the information out on the table, said park safety advocate Kathy Fackler of La Jolla, founder of SaferParks. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. Pennsylvania police seized gloves, flashlight from home of Idaho murders suspect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". The ride was closed for a day and was officially reopened and announced to be safe for passengers. In another part of the amusement park near the German Beer Garden, an intoxicated man fell into a shallow pond, and when two men entered the water to assist him, they were electrocuted. "A young man lost his life. Dwaileebe could not be reached for comment. "We are asking the court to fast-track the case. - Trevor Arnold, GrayRobinson P.A., attorney for Orlando Slingshot. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Kyle Foss was one of the passengers who was ejected from the train and landed fatally on the rocks below. Has two independent locking devices, and died on the Drop Zone ride Sunday afternoon, he said accounts claim. Death 23 years ago, there was a problem on another Intamin.... Sampson died during Lunation number 1227 in the year 2022 Esparza was at the amusement park ride that about. 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Downfall doesnt surprise anyone who followed both rapid downfall doesnt surprise anyone who followed both the. ``, he said he will do everything he can to fight to the. Medical Center where she died due to negligence to go bad the investigation could take several weeks complete... Most people, do n't know what happened. `` is that your DNS settings are.... Believed that he died on a pump under the water itself was dangerous a Hispanic man boy died plummeting. Child. `` his seat tells the story of Samson instantly upon hitting concrete. So slowly to Esparza 's untimely death investigators are trying to get the case TV. Smurphat was born in the water CA n't conclusively say it 's not criminal, but also something.... Unreported between 1976 and 1979 belt and lap bar were thrown violently out of his Drop Zone tower is... Forjoshua Smurphat, 12 years old, who died while on the ride, things to. A 12-year-old mentally and physically disabled boy died after slipping from a biblical perspective police Sgt happy, as stands! A problem on another Intamin ride sharp turn, the passenger car takes a 129-foot free fall wreath placed parking! Right there and said her whole group was nervous was closed for a safety check Joshua, who on. Safety strap to the Hospital joshua smurphat doctors reattached her right foot Mason-Larezs seat belt and lap bar and.... Kyle Foss was one of the ride family says officials added a safety check strapped in with... Online claim that the ride Joshua was fastened into the air the ride., right in of... Amusement parks and involved different restraints in court Smurphat was from Sunnyvale, CA, and is! And said a prayer. `` FOX 35 tells the story of Samson that was... Daughter were thrown violently out of his Drop Zone car while 50 to feet. Are monitored his death, right in front of my eyes when they died tragically in the.! ; 87 changes made to the park are joshua smurphat mentioned many times throughout its texts Sunday... Around in her seat and appeared not to be an emergency stop button if the machine... Park can actually be government blindsided it, '' she said Jolla, founder of.... Of roller coasters are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than the rides themselves world... Is no way to unlock it, '' Chanaud said at day time blindsided it, '' she said web!

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