Posted on 06/20/2006 6:33:34 AM PDT by Grig
STOCKTON, California (AP) -- A 6-year-old boy plunged 90 feet to his death from the top of a Ferris wheel while his mother watched from below at the San Joaquin County Fair, authorities said.
Ruben Castillo was riding alone in his gondola, which was near the top of the 100-foot Giant Wheel when he fell Sunday afternoon, authorities said.He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials, who are investigating the incident, were told that the boy tried to climb out of his seat, said spokesman Dean Fryer. It was not immediately clear why he climbed out or whether he was properly secured in the seat, Fryer said.
The fair's rides have no age restrictions, only a height requirement, which Ruben met for the Giant Wheel, said Forrest White, the fair's executive director.
The ride was operated by Fairfield-based Butler Amusements Inc. and had a valid permit, which was due for its annual renewal next month, Fryer said.
"We are extremely sorry this tragic accident occurred," said Butler Amusements spokeswoman Mary Castel. The Giant Wheel will remain closed until the investigation is complete.
(Excerpt) Read more at us.cnn.com ...
Sad.
No real investigation needed. The kid shouldn't have been on the thing alone.
This policy is absolute garbage - my 3 year old cannot enjoy a number of rides because even though she is tall enough to go on the ride, her parents are far too tall to accompany her according to the posted rules - even though the rides in question could easily accomodate my wife who is 5'6" but weighs substantially less than the 200 pound parade floats that pass for 11 year old kids these days.
That mother should be tried for murdering her kid.
But who has liability?
I heard the mother on the radio this morning. She's blaming the operators. She said "somthing needs to be done". She isn't taking any personal responsibility at all.
Who would let a 6 year old on solo on one of these things?????
No laws may have been broken, but I can't fathom seeing a 6 year old climb on a ferris wheel solo and not saying or doing something.
The mom doesn't show any sign of grief at all. She give no explanation why she let her little boy go on it with nobody else in the basket with him, no explanation why she didn't go or didn't stop him. She says she told the operatator she wanted him to go in a basket with other people, but the operator let him go alone. Bet she thinks it's totaly the operator's fault and that she will be able to sue for $$$$.
The mother who allowed her six year old (6!) to ride alone on an adult ride. That's who.
I guess she can sue the maker of the ferris wheel. Maybe some John Edwards style shyster lawyer will try to get all ferris wheels shut down.
Looks like an age requirement for unaccompanied is in order.....at the very least, a common sense requirement for the ride operator.....
I think the parent bears most of the responsibility.
We took our 6 year old on a 100 foot ferris wheel just last Saturday. What a horrible thought it is to imagine not going up there with him and watching him fall. There are no belts or anything in those gondolas.
I heard that too, it boggles the mind.
The poor baby.
But there was negligence on both sides, and you can guarantee that neither side wants to assume responsibility. The parents should have been with that child. However, the operator should have had the presence of mind not to let a little kid in a gondola alone, period. On the parents' side, that would forever cast them as negligent and unfit parents. For the carnies, that will mean major cash, in addition to the profits they're already going to lose just because of the nature of the incident. I don't think it's that clear cut, at least from a legal perspective.
"The mother should be tried for murdering her kid."I agree but unfortunately she's probably going to get an attorney and sue the park.
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