Disneyland Paris has temporarily closed one of the amusement park’s most popular attractions after the body of a 45-year-old employee was found inside the ride by co-workers over the weekend.
The technician, who has not been identified, had been working on backstage lighting for the park’s Phantom Manor ride on Saturday morning shortly before he was discovered unconscious by his colleagues and was soon declared dead.
Authorities in Meaux, France are investigating the incident, but have stated that they suspect the man was electrocuted while fixing the ride’s lighting. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office there told the Daily Mail that electrics experts are assisting authorities, and a full autopsy is forthcoming.
The former Euro Disney Resort said in a statement it was “truly saddened to learn of the passing of one of our Cast Members, and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” The Independent reported.
A representative for the employee union at Disneyland Paris, Patrick Maldidier, told French newspaper Le Parisien that the man had worked at the park for over a decade and was “always smiling.”
Phantom Manor, a haunted house attraction not unlike the Haunted Mansion found at other Disney parks, is closed through Wednesday while investigators look for clues that could help determine the cause of death. The ride is among the most popular attractions at Disneyland Paris, which brought in roughly 15 million visitors in 2015 and boasts of being the continent’s premier tourist destination.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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