Son of Beast closed for 2009, future uncertain

Kings Island's Son of Beast roller coaster will remain closed for the remainder of the Cincinnati-area park's 2009 season, and park officials are unclear as to what the future may hold for the nine-year-old ride. Son of Beast was closed earlier this year following a June 16 complaint from a rider who suffered a burst blood vessel after riding the immense wooden coaster. The coaster was cleared for operation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in late July, but remains closed as park officials claim not to be satisfied with the ride experience. WLWT.com reports that officials will decide what steps to take concerning the ride during the offseason, but would not specify what options they are considering. Son of Beast has had a tumultuous existence since its opening in 2000, including multiple early complaints of a rough ride, and incident where 27 people were injured on the ride while it still included its then world record-breaking loop, the first for a wooden coster, which was removed in 2006.