CINCINNATI. August 8, 2009.  A passenger died after riding the Firehawk roller coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

Kings Island is a large theme park located in the city of Mason, which is northeast of Cincinnati.

At around 3.30 p.m. local time, the roller coaster arrived in its station after completing its normal cycle. Ride operators then noticed an adult male passenger who appeared to be having trouble breathing and the park’s EMS staff was called and responded immediately. The passenger was immediately transported to Bethesda North Hospital, according to park spokesman Don Helbig.

“We’ve learned that unfortunately the guest passed away this evening,” Helbig said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time and all of us at Kings Island are deeply saddened.”

According to Helbig, the ride was operating normally when the incident happened and he said there is no reason to believe the roller coaster ride played a role in his passing. His cause of death is not yet known.

Kings Island has voluntarily closed the ride and has notified the state of Ohio who will perform a re-inspection of the ride on Sunday morning as a precaution.

Firehawk was opened in 2007 after it was moved from Six Flags Worlds of Adventure in Aurora, Ohio.