NJ Fun Park Reopens Just One Day After 11-Year-Old Died in Plunge From Ferris Wheel
- Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:45pm by
Scott Baker
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WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) — A Jersey shore boardwalk amusement park that closed after an 11-year-old girl on a class trip tumbled from a moving Ferris wheel to her death was to reopen Saturday while investigators tried to figure out what caused her fall.
Abiah Jones was with her classmates from Pleasant Tech Academy on Friday afternoon when she plunged about 100 feet, from near the top of the ride, and landed in the passenger loading area, police and amusement park officials said. A medical helicopter was called for, but paramedics at the scene, seeing how grave her injuries were, decided not to wait for it and took her by ambulance to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later.
The popular park, Morey‘s Mariner’s Landing Pier in Wildwood, was packed with children attending a special school-related promotional event called Education Extravaganza.
Police took photographs of various passenger carts on the Ferris wheel, part of which was covered in white sheets, and were looking for witnesses to the girl’s fall.
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
After closing the Ferris wheel and a few rides nearby but keeping the rest of the park open for a few hours, the amusement park’s owners decided to close the park for the night. The park was due to reopen Saturday morning, but the Ferris wheel was to remain closed until the cause of the girl’s fall is determined. The cause, however, didn’t appear to be mechanical, police and Morey’s said.
The 156-foot-tall Ferris wheel is among several rides at Morey‘s Mariner’s Landing Pier. It was built in 1985 and most recently passed an inspection on March 17, said the state Department of Community Affairs, which was examining it and conducting an investigation into the girl’s death.
Abiah‘s death was the first of a patron in the history of the Morey’s organization, which has owned amusement parks at the Jersey shore since 1969, president Will Morey said.
“I’d like to say how sorry we are for the incident that occurred here,” Morey said.
It appears Abiah, of Pleasantville, was alone in one of the ride’s passenger gondolas, which is secured with a double latch, Morey said. The door of the gondola opens inward, making it difficult to climb out of, he said.
The spot where the girl‘s body landed in the passenger loading area of the ride led authorities to believe she fell from near the top of the ride because that’s the trajectory she would have followed as she fell, Morey said.
According to a 2010 report from the National Safety Council, the estimated number of amusement ride-related injuries on fixed-site rides nationwide was 1,086, or 0.6 per million patron rides.
A spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions said the odds of being seriously injured at one of the United States’ 400 fixed-site amusement parks are 1 in 9 million.
“Events like this are extremely rare, and safety is the No. 1 priority for the amusement park industry,” association spokeswoman Colleen Mangone said.
Approximately 280 million guests visit those theme parks each year, taking 1.7 billion rides, she said.
___
Associated Press writer Wayne Parry in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., and researcher Judith Ausuebel in New York City contributed to this story.
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Comments (59)
jungle J
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 3:22pmmaybe she jumped
Report Post »violated
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 8:14amMy heart goes out for her and her family.
Report Post »Cheetosareus
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 11:09pmWhy was she in the gondola alone? That’s strange. Did she jump?
Report Post »MUDFLAPS
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:39pmonly in jersey
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:16pmMy condolences go to her family. Abiah looks like she was a lovely young lady. I’m very sorry to learn of this tragic death. :(
Report Post »Rightsofman
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 7:21pmSome years ago I went on that ride and it scared the hell out of me. I never realized to what extent fear of heights I have. I can see her panicking and becoming hysterical especially if she was alone on the ride. The worst part is the stopping and rocking of the gondola as they are loading, especially near and at the top. Its my guess that that is what happened to her.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 7:24pmI have gone on much smaller ones and yes, I was scared too. No seat belts or anything. Some people get off on that stuff. Not me. My gut tells me otherwise. And, an eleven year old girl by herself on that thing? No fricking way.
Report Post »eramthgin
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 5:45pmOH please close the park? Why because some boneheaded child stood up or starting climbing on the farris wheel ride? Where was the adult supervision? The park will now get sued for doing nothing wrong because another person decided to do something out of the ordinary or expected. Thank God for natural selection.
Report Post »nostromo
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:56pmi’m sorry about the girl dying, but I have been on that ferris wheel a bunch of times and I cant see how someone could accidentally fall out of it. It says she was alone in the gondola. There is no way this was an accident. I think she either jumped or was looking over so far she lost her balance and tumbled out. Either way Morey’s cant possibly be responsible.
Report Post »JohnnyJT South Philly
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:42pmI was there just the day before, it is very sad.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:26pmDoes that park have a spook alley? Her death not be in vain, perhaps they could use a manikin made up to look like her and spread the rumor that her ghost is haunting the park and have that manikin jump out at people, even on the ferris wheel have a special seat where her head pops out from under the seat.
Report Post »The Bagginator
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:34pmYou’re a total piece of crap… again. Mom and dad proud, are they?
Report Post »Mike D.
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:23pmCrazy.
Report Post »GaGirl35
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:05pmWell I believe that all those type of parks are defying God myself and think that they can hold that super-power and offer it to you, if only for a few minutes for a price….think about it and look at the disasters that come out of these places. It is God trying to get people to realize what is going on with the corrupt…look at Disney World…$$$$$$$$$$$$$ who can afford to go there? I can’t I would rather pay my bills and eat and know that if something happens we have money to cover it….instead of spending wildly. It is a shame that these things happen and in some way everyone seems to play God in one or more situations in their life, but this is pretty much over the top with so many young life’s in their hands. There are safer ways to have fun….open your eyes everybody!! Pray,,he will listen as long as you aren’t asking for stuff. Your needs will be met. Pray for your enemy….they really need it! God bless.
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:25pmThey don’t have to worry about paying their bills. The good people of NJ pay them.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:29pmSo building a Ferris wheel, or building an amusement park is “Play God”
Wow, there is all kind of crazy here
Report Post »selloursouls
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 7:57pmSo because you can’t afford Disney World, God hates theme parks? Please tell me you are just being sarcastic and trying to make God-fearing folks look crazy because otherwise you’re making God-fearing folks look crazy. You know the computer you used to type your comment is a product of money making. In fact you can get a lot of bad stuff off the internet, which defies God, maybe you should sell your computer. You can afford a computer and an internet provider, but 65 bucks once a year is satanic? I believe in God too, but I doubt he hates Mickey Mouse.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:55pmPersonally I think if any snowflake should even get a paper cut we should close down all amusement parks everywhere until a full congressional infestation errr investigation can be completed.
IT IS FOR THE CHILDREN……
Come on people, close down an entire park when there is no safety violation and there has not been an incident of this time in the entire 50 year history of the company is an EXTREME over reaction, is this tragic, yes, does the entire world stop because of a single incident more than likely contributed to by the “victim” yes…
Here is what will come out of this
1> The Parents will get Rich (but they wont sue for the money, no no not about the money )
2> Some Lawyer will get Rich
3> Some Insurance company will pay out alot
4> That insurance company will raise the rates on the park
5> Every Visitor to the park now pays a higher Ticket Price
6> No more snowflakes can ride solo on the ferris wheel
Yea for the legal system
Report Post »ElaineA
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:53pmHershey10 – it is too bad this accident happened. But you had better be worried about your ownself with that bleeding heart of yours. Shakes head.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 5:15pm@Elainea
Affirmative, and yes, it really is tragic that the death of this person had to come so prematurely at eleven years of age. But there’s no way an amusement park close can simply close up shop simply for the death of one person, be it man, woman, or small fry, for that would allow the owner to become vulnerable to the loss of funds while it’s dormant.
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:44pmWell if the car separated from the wheel I would say it was on the Park. But a class trip the kid did something stupid, paniced or Jumped. People/ kids die in cars every day do you shut down the same typ of cars let it be a lesson don’t screw around on amusement park rides Kids!!!!
and Oh ya How is the owner going to pay the law suit that mom is going to bring if he is not open
Report Post »omalex
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:44pmI live in NJ and have been on that ferris wheel. I don’t recall them being completely caged in and I remember thinking how easy it would be to fall out…And for what it’s worth, this is not a “carnival” it‘s an istablished boardwalk park that’s been there for years and years. My guess is that she was either horsing around or she passed out. Or maybe passed out while horsing around. Still a shame though.
Report Post »ranchmom1
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:40pmHow awful. I am trying to even imagine how she could have fallen if she were sitting in the seat. I really hope they don’t find it was intentional on her part. How awful. : (
Report Post »The Bagginator
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:36pmBegging for a lawsuit?
They would have gotten a lawsuit no matter what they did. Count on it.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 11:18pmunless one of her friends tossed her out…….
Report Post »The Bagginator
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 3:01am@Republicorp
“It appears Abiah, of Pleasantville, was alone in one of the ride’s passenger gondolas…”
Care to tell us how she was tossed out or are you just here for the pictures?
Report Post »DREDGE
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:31pmReopening has nothing to do with the regard for life. The disregard for life rested on the 11 year old who’s disregard for the rules played out with her demise.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:12pmReally? Really? 11 year olds are stupid is all. I should know, I was one once.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:16pmReopening so soon in simply “bad form” and shows a low regard for the value of a life yet high regard for the value of a buck. Bad form and bad PR!
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:26pmReally? Well, you have a right to your opinion. Even if it’s just plain stupid.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 11:16pmEasy to be high and mighty with other peoples money……..What if your family had to do without?
Report Post »Then it would be a different story I would bet.
chickenlittle
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:06pmI should further add that as a parent that has been through these constant “student reward” days at public schools, I question the common sense of bussing kids long distances (in my case nearly 200 miles one way) to these ride-oriented fun parks at least twice a year. Schools have no business being in any business other than teaching (which they are ALL failing at. These days at the parks are poorly chaperoned and just another excuse for the many days off they already offer every year… which BTW count as part of the required number of teaching days a school needs for federal funding.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:11pmThe schools should just let the kids out early. It’s another argument for getting rid of the Depart. of Education. Schools like our government just keep spending and spending. They’ve gotten addicted to it. For this and many other reasons, it’s time to break the habit.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:25pm@ Mandors… you got that right! Leave all the extravagent extras they want to provide or subsidize to the students. They have no business taking on off-property liabilities when supposed they can’t even pay the teachers. They do (again, in my case anyway, charge the students a fee to go on these things, and then they (the parents) are also obligated to pay for the overpriced food and extras available (kickbacks from the parks?).
By the time my three kids reached high school, they were tired of Six Flags anyway, and usually opted for the day off.
Whatever the reason this girl fell…it is still a tragic event, but I can’t help but think of the trauma to the people lined up to enter for the next ride to have a body drop a hundred feet and land in the loading area in front of me. Any kids in that situation (adults too) is going to be a left to live with that image.
Report Post »tiredoftaxes
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 12:25amI couldn’t agree with you more, chickenlittle! A six-year-old child near my hometown was just killed while on a school reward trip, when the bus he was riding in overturned. Gas prices were $5.00 a gallon, and the flooding was so bad in that area, that many roads were closed at the time! They put these children’s lives in danger when they take the whole herd on trips. It angers me that they count this as a school day. It’s fraud, really. It‘s like a doctor who bills an insurance company for services he didn’t perform. The taxpayers are being billed for “instruction days” that didn’t happen. I am dismayed at the lack of concern parents in America have, not only for their children’s safety, but also for what they are morally and spiritually being exposed to in the public school system! Test scores prove that our schools aren’t giving a good education. They aren’t getting any spiritual or moral training in the schools. Well, except the bad kind. So what are they good for? Wake up parents!!!!! Most of you have fallen victim to the herd mentality of the government schools!!! Please stop following the crowd. The public school system is one of the biggest tools for brainwashing our kids. When I see all the articles about things going on in schools around the country, I am just shocked that good people will still send their children back every day, often because they need a babysitter.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:05pmI stopped riding any carnival rides back in the 80′s when I saw carnies using heroin (or inhaling something off of a piece of tin foil – meth?) before assembling the rides at Santa’s Enchanted Forrest in Miami..
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:35pmThe carnival guy who sexually assaulted my granddaughter last year is serving 20 years.
Report Post »Outstanding young fellow — had a rap sheet for dealing and possession of drugs, too!
firemanfrank
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 6:35pmThe amusement parks that are stationary are a little better than the traveling carnies.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:58pmI hope they have witnesses, because it seems very difficult to accidentally fall out of an enclosed cage as the article describes the ride.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:57pmI am very sorry for this little girl and her family. I read in another report she fainted and then fell. I can see how someone could faint, but she must have slipped out when she went limp. How sad that she was not belted. I know of something like this happening in CA, but the child was mentally handicapped and just slipped through the safety restraints. We simply do not know how anyone is going to react to something so emotion provoking like these rides, and it is the nature of the rides to provoke emotions so this is bound to happen every so often. Do we stop exciting people because some don’t handle it, or accept life has hazards.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:33pmThat is the goal of the Nanny Staters.
Almost every bad regulation we have today was passed “For the children” If they had their way and could technologically achieve it every child would grow sealed padded bubble never getting injured, sick, scared, or have anything “happen” to them, of course they would be sad sad humans incapable of living life, or having a life, but they would be alive and that is more important then anything…. right…..
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:54pmMaybe it’s just me but this park should be closed until the investigation is complete . A move such as this appears to be financially motivated . Shakes head .
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:08pmThat’s horrible .
Report Post »R I P Abiah .
right-wing-waco
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:09pmWhy would you close the entire park due to an accident on one ride. You would not close the entire freeway system due to 1 wreck where someone died…. would you?
It will probably end up, rider error. She may have leaned out and fallen. It is a real shame and I really “feel” for the family.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:13pmI don’t know. A bus load of kids? Sure sounds like a formula for horseplay, which if the cause of the tragedy would be a shame not only for the business, but for the responsible people who attended the park.
Report Post »true2myword
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:19pmHersey10, Apparently you think the amusement park is in business to lose money. Of course it is terrible that someone died, but what good would it do to shut the whole park down. Certainly, it cannot bring back a life, and the amusement park doesn’t appear to be at fault, so why punish them? Shakes head…
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:26pmThey are begging for a lawsuit.
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:36pmDon’t forget that this is life, and very unpredictable. Good things happen to bad people and Bad things happen to good people. There are risks for everything unless you regulate which is what is happening today. TSA put in scanners for airports..How is that working out for you?
Report Post »Black Manta
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:38pmHersey10..You said it and thats the fact…absurd after a childs death too…this world, no the humans of this world are too greedy…I just hope she accepted Jesus in her life…God bless her soul…
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:42pm@true2myword Don’t ever assume what I apparently think .
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:42pmThe Morey’s are old friends from many years ago, very “stand up” people. I am sure they are devastated. It is an old family business, and they take great pride in keeping things safe. Still tragic accidents like this happen, and no one is happy when this type of thing happens.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 3:43pmHopefully the park was packed that day and they can appeal to the public for any footage they may have taken.
Taken from us way before her time.
Report Post »R.I.P.
BlazingInSC
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 4:29pmYou’re right Hersey10 – it’s just you (and a handful of other bleeding heart liberals). There is no reason to close the entire park simply because one person (man, woman, or child) died as a a result of falling from one ride that passed its last inspection – and the park has not had any known history of violations that would warrant safety concerns. There’s no reason to believe this incident would be duplicated on the other rides.
Report Post »Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 7:19pmjust close the ride in question, the other rides have no impact. as far as the ewww factor goes for it being so soon, that’s up to the patrons
Report Post »jyurgin
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:19pmThe people that even suggest the park should be closed until an “investigation is complete” are complete idiots. People die every day. Life moves on.
Report Post »BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:23pmIn the end times their hearts shall wax cold. Prayers for the family of this young girl so tragically lost.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 11:00pmRIGHT-WING-WACO Agree….. if we closed down every time someone dies there wouldn’t be much open. And yes it is about the money……. the bills will still come. Or do people here think the electric company is going to wave payment? Silly
Report Post »jzs
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 1:18amVery sad. Hard to imagine how this could have been prevented based on the article. Poor girl.
Warning to parent though: those traveling carnivals that move into your town, stay a month and then move on are totally unregulated. A couple of kids have died in my home town in the last 10 years, and you know what happens? The owners disappear. I don‘t worry too much about it but when my children were young I wouldn’t take them to those places. Six Flags or Schlitterbaun though? Every chance I could!
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