Shoot the Rapids coming down

topey@sanduskyregister.comSANDUSKYCedar Point's Shoot the Rapids is coming down.Sources have told the Register the amusement park operator started to tear down the water ride Tuesday. Cedar Point is not confirming the removal or what will come next."Our focus is on the construction of Valravn, our record-breaking dive coaster. We have not announced any changes regarding our current ride lineup," wrote Tony Clark, director of communications, in a statement.The ride was designed by Intamin, which also designed Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force. The ride, which debuted in June 2010 on Frontier Trail, suffered its share of problems.On July 19, 2013, seven guests were on a Shoot the Rapids boat that malfunctioned while ascending a lift hill. Inspectors determined the boat went down the hill backward about 187 feet, then traveled another 41 feet until it struck the edge of a concrete flume. The force of the collision damaged about 7 feet of concrete. The boat then continued in the flume an additional 58 feet, striking the flume wall several more times and hitting another boat before overturning, the guests still inside. The inspection revealed two safety features never engaged: one designed to prevent boats from coming off the track, the other to prevent boats from rolling backward.Cedar Point photoThis photo, provided by a witness at the scene, shows bystanders rushing to help upright a Shoot the Rapids boat that overturned with riders aboard.A Cedar Point police officer stands guard at Shoot the Rapids Friday evening.