Story highlights James A. Young II lost some belongings on the ride, then went to retrieve them

Part of the Raptor at Cedar Point in Sandusky roller coaster struck him

Cedar Point is one of northern Ohio's top destinations, with 17 coasters

(CNN) A man on one of Cedar Point's renowned roller coasters lost some of his belongings on the ride, then got off to track them down -- a decision that ultimately cost him his life.

That's what police said happened early Thursday evening at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park, where part of the Raptor roller coaster struck James A. Young II of East Canton.

Young, 45, had been at the park with friends when he hopped on the Raptor around 5 p.m., Sandusky Assistant Police Chief Phil Frost told reporters.

After losing some of his things, Young "jumped over a fence into a restricted area under the Raptor and was looking for his personal belongings," Frost said. "(He) was struck by the Raptor train that was in operation."

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