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Six Flags ride opens after tragedy
Riders don't blame the park


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/02/08

The maiden voyage of Batman The Ride after Saturday's death of a South Carolina teenager brought thrills to riders and as well as thoughts of the tragedy.

"It wasn't Six Flags' fault," said Isaac Abernathy, 20, of Adairsville.

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He was among the first riders.

"It was the fault of him being there," he said.

He thought about Asia L. Ferguson, the teen who died after scaling two fences in a restricted area with his cousin.

Ferguson was decapitated when he was hit by the ride.

But mostly, Abernathy enjoyed the ride.

"It's fast and curvy," he said.

"I love Batman as a child, and it's a fun ride to be on."

Deidre Dollfuss, Abernathy's girlfriend, enjoyed the ride with only a moment's thought of Ferguson's death.

"It was his fault. He shouldn't have been there," Dollfuss said.

Out-of-state visitors had no apprehension about getting on the ride.

"I wasn't really worried," said Katie St. Germaine, 14, of Michigan.

Her friend agreed.

"It was fun," said Rebecca Wilson, 13, also of Michigan.

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