Disney World reopens ride after German tourist's death

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Walt Disney World reopened its ''Mission: Space" attraction yesterday, a day after a woman who became ill after leaving the ride died at a hospital.

It was the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot Center ride, which spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. The ride is considered so intense that it has motion sickness bags and signs warning people with heart, back, and neck problems not to board it.

The 49-year-old German woman who died Wednesday had reported dizziness and nausea after stepping off the ride Tuesday, Disney officials said.

The medical examiner's office identified the victim yesterday as Hiltrud Bleumel and said an autopsy was planned.

''Walt Disney World engineers and ride system experts completed a thorough inspection of the attraction overnight and found it to be operating properly," the theme park said yesterday.

The $100 million ride was temporarily closed in June after the death of a 4-year-old boy who passed out while aboard. An autopsy concluded that he died of a heart condition a medical examiner said can cause sudden death in stressful situations.