New York says coaster risks were known

NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Lawyers for New York City contend a California man fatally injured on a Coney Island roller coaster should have known the risks.

Court documents state that the risks inherent in riding the Cyclone were public knowledge and should have been known to Keith Shirasawa, a 53-year-old California man who broke his neck on the ride last year and died five days later.

"Any and all risks, hazards, defects and dangers to the extent alleged are of an open, obvious, apparent and inherent nature known and should have been known to (Shirasawa)," said the document that was obtained by New York's Daily News.

Shirasawa's family is suing the city in Manhattan federal court. They alleged the 80-year-old Cyclone had an antiquated lap bar and a faulty brake that should have been replaced.

The family contends that three other riders had been hurt on the Cyclone in the weeks prior to Shirasawa's death, the Daily News said.