Death at rodeo called an accident

Death at rodeo called an accident
Family suing carnival owners over fatality on roller coaster
By CINDY GEORGE

The death of a man who fell from a roller coaster on the last day of this year's Rodeo Houston has been classified as an accident by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The primary cause of Brian Greenhouse's death has been determined as "multiple blunt impact trauma." An autopsy report, which will include toxicology reports, is not ready.

Greenhouse, 47, plunged 30 feet from the Hi-Miler roller coaster at the rodeo's carnival on March 20.

His relatives, including a young son, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Harris County against the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Ray Cammack Shows, the carnival operator.

The complaint alleges negligence and negligent activity on the parts of the rodeo and the midway operator.

The suit asserts that Greenhouse "was ejected from the roller coaster car" and that the ride did not properly restrain him.

"We are not surprised that it was ruled an accidental death," said Tony Denena, one of the lawyers representing Greenhouse's relatives.
Autopsy still pending

He said he will reserve further comment until the final autopsy report is available.

The other parties in the lawsuit would not talk about the latest development in the case.

"At the advice of our legal counsel, because this is in litigation, I am not going to be able to comment on that," said Leroy Shafer, CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

David Margulies, spokesman for Arizona-based carnival operator Ray Cammack Shows, also declined to comment .

Shafer, the rodeo's top official, has said that the roller coaster attendant did not see Greenhouse leave the Hi-Miler, even though operators are required to maintain visual contact with the ride at all times.

But in its report to state amusement regulators, Ray Cammack Shows stated that Greenhouse was "limp" as he descended, describing his injuries as right elbow abrasions and "possible internal or pre-existing."

The ride operator placed Greenhouse in the front car — the same seat where other patrons have reported the restraining latch coming loose during the ride.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has initiated its own probe of the Hi-Miler, Shafer confirmed last month.