Walt Disney World employee killed in monorail crash

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Two monorail trains crashed early yesterday morning in the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train’s operator, emergency officials said.

Disney said it was the first fatal crash in the monorail’s 38-year history in the park.

The transit system, which shuttles thousands of visitors around the sprawling resort each day, was shut down while authorities investigated the holiday weekend wreck.

The monorail operator died at the scene of the crash, which happened around 2 a.m., said Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department. The other train operator was uninjured, but was taken to a hospital because he was emotionally shaken. Jones said five park guests were treated at the scene, though the Orange County sheriff’s office said six were treated.