Ohio roller coaster reopens after one year

MASON, Ohio, July 5 (UPI) -- A roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio, has reopened after being shut down since July 2006.

The Son of Beast returned to action Wednesday without its signature loop after state inspectors said they were satisfied that the ride is safe, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday.

Park spokesman Craig Ross said Drop Zone, a ride that was shut down last month after an accident on a similar ride at a Louisville, Ky., Six Flags, may also reopen in the near future.

Ross said Son of Beast officially reopened at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

"I think everyone will be surprised. It's a better ride," he said

The wooden coaster, which claims to be the world's tallest and fastest, was shut down after a July 9, 2006, incident left 27 people hospitalized. A number of structural changes were made to the ride after the accident and the loop was removed so the coaster could use lighter trains.