4-Year-Old Dead After Passing Out on Epcot's Mission: SPACE

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) -- A 4-year-old boy died after passing outwhile aboard Walt Disney World's ''Mission:Space'' attraction _ a ride that has caused previous concerns because of itsintensity.

Daudi Bamuwamye passed out Monday afternoon while on theattraction, which simulates a rocket launch and trip to Mars. The Orange CountySheriff's Office said his mother carried him off the ride and employees helpedher place him on a bench.

Paramedicstried to revive him, but he died about 5 p.m. at Celebration Hospital.

Thesheriff's office said the boy did meet the minimum 44-inch (112 centimeters)height requirement for the ride at the Epcot theme park, which simulates twicethe normal force of gravity.

Acause of death could not be immediately determined and an autopsy was expectedTuesday.

Officialssaid the boy was from Pennsylvania,but his hometown was not immediately available. He was on the ride with hismother and sister.

The$100 million (euro83 million) ride, one of Disney World's most popular, wasclosed after the death.

In2003, Disney began placing motion sickness bags in the ride. During aneight-month period in 2003-04, six people over age 55 were taken to thehospital for chest pain and nausea after riding it, though none of them wasfound to have any serious injuries.

Itwas the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida's major theme parks agreed in 2001to report such problems to the state. Updated figures were not immediatelyavailable.

Signswarn visitors about the intensity of the ride.

"Forsafety you should be in good health, and free from high blood pressure, heart,back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that can beaggravated by this adventure," one sign on view last year said.

Disneyofficials in a statement after the boy's death that they are "providingsupport to the family and are doing everything we can to help them during thisdifficult time.?"