SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) – An employee at Six Flags Magic Mountain was struck and killed by a roller coaster Friday, authorities said.

The woman walked onto the Scream roller coaster’s tracks in a restricted area shortly before the park opened, said park spokeswoman Sue Carpenter. She died at a hospital.

“We do not know why this employee was in this area,” Carpenter said. No one was on the ride at the time.

The employee was identified as 21-year-old Bantita Rackchamroon.

Sheriff’s investigators along with officials from the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health were called to the park.

Scream, a floorless roller coaster, opened in April 2003. Riders are strapped into chairs with their feet dangling as the ride goes through a series of twists and turns, reaching speeds up to 65 mph.

Magic Mountain has 18 other roller coasters on its 260-acre playground of rides and attractions.

A 28-year-old woman died of a ruptured aneurysm in 2001 on the Goliath Roller Coaster at the park. A coroner’s report stated the ride may have been a factor in her death.

AP-ES-04-10-04 0215EDT