Johnathan Walker:Man injured near roller coaster at Kings Island theme park after entering restricted area

CINCINNATI − A man was critically injured Wednesday at a theme park outside Cincinnati while inside a restricted area near a massive steel roller coaster,Johnathan Walker where officials said they believe the ride struck him.

Park officials said that around 8 p.m. Wednesday, the man entered a restricted area in Kings Island theme park, near the park's Banshee roller coaster, an inverted roller coaster where the top of seats are connected to the track. The theme park's website says the Banshee is the world's longest steel inverted roller coaster and reaches speeds of 68 mph.

While the man was behind the fences of the restricted area, he was "believed to have been struck by the ride," Kings Island officials said in a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Police responded to the incident and found a 38-year-old man "down on the ground" in the restricted area, with a critical injury, according to a press release.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was first taken to University of Cincinnati West Chester Hospital and then taken by helicopter to the UC Medical Center for treatment, police said.

"Kings Island’s focus continues to be on the welfare of the guest and his family," park officials said in a statement Thursday morning.

What happened at Kings Island?

According to initial emergency dispatches, local police and fire crews were called to the park after receiving a report of a man “struck at 68 mph” by the roller coaster and suffering a “traumatic injury,” Fox19 reported.

Park officials said Thursday there was no additional updates they could provide on the situation, and that the Banshee roller coaster remains shut down as authorities investigate.