6 year-old California boy dies after jumping off a ferris wheel

[bakerprune64]

SNIP>>>The boy's mother says she believed her son tried to climb out of the car when he panicked on the ride.


Sophia Castillo says she screamed at the operator of the Ferris wheel to bring her son's car to the bottom but because he didn't speak English, he didn't understand her.

​

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/9394512/detail.html

 

[Jeana (DP)]

SNIP>>>The boy's mother says she believed her son tried to climb out of the car when he panicked on the ride.


Sophia Castillo says she screamed at the operator of the Ferris wheel to bring her son's car to the bottom but because he didn't speak English, he didn't understand her.

​

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/9394512/detail.html

ISN'T that freaking great!!!! Now, this park will be sued because IT did'nt think to hire minimum wage employees who speak different languages!!! :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:

 

[Marine Mom]

ISN'T that freaking great!!!! Now, this park will be sued because IT did'nt think to hire minimum wage employees who speak different languages!!! :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:

They way I read it, it was the operator who didn't speak English. :waitasec:

 

[Jeana (DP)]

They way I read it, it was the operator who didn't speak English. :waitasec:

Then how did they have the discussion about him riding with other people, but he said no??? :waitasec: :waitasec: :waitasec: I'm all confused now.

 

[LillyRush]

Maybe he didn't understand her when she was asking him that and that's why he said no, because he didn't understand what she wanted him to do.

 

[eve]

They way I read it, it was the operator who didn't speak English. :waitasec:

I believe this is right. I heard a soundbite of the mom talking on the radio today - no accent - very good English. So - yet another opportunity to weigh in on the whole English-speaking issue. This is such a tragedy. I think it is very hard sometimes to see what a child is ready for, except in hindsight. I do think he was too young to be on the ferris wheel alone but I feel so terrible for this mother. I always hated it when ferris wheels stopped and you sat there in the open swinging slowly. I would rather be enclosed and spinning wildly.

Eve

 

[Sassygerl]

Was this kid mentally handicapped? Most kids--even 6 year olds--have enough sense of preservation not to make a 100 foot jump.

I was thinking possibly when he got scared he unbuckled his belt and fell.....I don't think he jumped, but I guess in time we'll know. Or did the mom say he did jump???? At that age he could have thought Mommy would catch him....who knows???! So sad!

 

[christine2448]

Was this kid mentally handicapped? Most kids--even 6 year olds--have enough sense of preservation not to make a 100 foot jump.

I've seen people hurt and killed on thrill rides before--such as the grown man sling-shotted out of a Scrambler right into a concrete retaining wall at Astro World due to a defective restraining harness back in the 1970s--and the idiot who stood up at the TOP of the Great American Coaster at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, yelled "Look at me!" and then plummeted into what was effectively the gears of the machinery for the ride 60 feet bellow, also in the 1970s. I think those deaths had a lot to do with the invention of the "idiot proof" passive restraint systems on most rides. This is the first ferris wheel related death I'm familiar with though.

This website shows information on amusements ride accidents and fatalities, there are a few (I looked quick, maybe more, but I saw at least 3) ferris wheel related deaths....again, I just skimmed through quickly...this is amazing.....

http://www.rideaccidents.com


Also, here is a report from Consumer Product Commission I found, just for 1993 alone, there were 7800 emergency room visits relating to amusment park accidents! From 73-93, 96 deaths, 12 involving FERRIS WHEELS!
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia97/os/in1.pdf

 

[Marine Mom]

It's hard to know what goes through the mind of a 6 yo. Maybe he thought when the ride stopped, it was over and he was simply getting out.

 

[christine2448]

Here's the 2005 CPSC report


http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/Amus2005.pdf

 

[Mabel]

Amusement park rides terrify me. One of the news programs did an investigation a few years ago and found that most of the rides were an accident waiting to happen, particularly in the traveling carnivals where the rides are assembled and disassembled so quickly. The also investiged some of the "carnies" that the traveling carnivals hired - they are not people you should trust with the life of your children. Many were using false names, had criminal records or substance abuse problems, and had absolutely no mechanical experience even though they were responsible for assembling the rides. Some of the guys totally turned their backs on the rides they were operating in order to flirt with the teeny bopper girls. Scary stuff.

 

[Sassygerl]

Amusement park rides terrify me. One of the news programs did an investigation a few years ago and found that most of the rides were an accident waiting to happen, particularly in the traveling carnivals where the rides are assembled and disassembled so quickly. The also investiged some of the "carnies" that the traveling carnivals hired - they are not people you should trust with the life of your children. Many were using false names, had criminal records or substance abuse problems, and had absolutely no mechanical experience even though they were responsible for assembling the rides. Some of the guys totally turned their backs on the rides they were operating in order to flirt with the teeny bopper girls. Scary stuff.

Yep, no "pack and go" carnival riders here. I won't allow mine to. Too dangerous. However, the Superman (roller coaster) at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is an awesome ride

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

This website shows information on amusements ride accidents and fatalities, there are a few (I looked quick, maybe more, but I saw at least 3) ferris wheel related deaths....again, I just skimmed through quickly...this is amazing.....

http://www.rideaccidents.com


Also, here is a report from Consumer Product Commission I found, just for 1993 alone, there were 7800 emergency room visits relating to amusment park accidents! From 73-93, 96 deaths, 12 involving FERRIS WHEELS!
[url="http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia97/os/in1.pdf"]http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia97/os/in1.pdf[/url]

As far as I'm concerned, it's only an accident if the ride malfunctions in some way. If the rider jumps out of the ride, stands up during the ride, or sticks their arms and legs out of the ride while its in motion, then its not an accident but an incident. My sister worked at an amusement park for several summers and our cousin's hubby designs amusement parks for a living (the grounds themslves, not the rides), and I've worked for a zoo, so I am not surprised by what lengths people will go to apparently take themselves out of the gene pool while on vacation

 

[Bobbisangel]

There must be a height restriction at least. Why would the boy jump off? Was he scared? I won't ride those rides myself because I don't like heights, but always made hubby ride if the kids wanted to go.

I don't think that he jumped....the news said that he fell. I just wonder if he slid under the support that locks in?

 

[christine2448]

As far as I'm concerned, it's only an accident if the ride malfunctions in some way. If the rider jumps out of the ride, stands up during the ride, or sticks their arms and legs out of the ride while its in motion, then its not an accident but an incident.

Very, very good point.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

And again in a case where a parent made a very bad decision that in this incident resulted in the child's death, there are those who will say "oh, it was just a tragic accident, the poor woman already feels bad enough".

Honestly, that is NOT the way a whole lot of the rest of the world feels, I can assure you. Especially people who work in Emergency Rooms, on Burn Units, and in Children's hospitals.

If it is not irresponsible parenting to allow a six year old to ride alone on a 100 ft. high ferris wheel, then what is?

 

[Perry]

This whole situation just makes me sad. At this point "fault" doesn't make a bit of difference to me. There was no malicious intent. It was bad judgement and everyone involved will suffer.

Prayers for everyone who loved this child.

*No offense was intended with this post*

 

[TaylorJ4]

>>>>>This reminds me... A couple of weeks ago my whole family went up to Chattanooga, TN to an amusement park.

Lake Winnie?

 

[LinasK]

From what I interpreted from the article I read, the boy panicked when stuck at the top, undid his strap and climbed out trying to get down. He fell. I don't completely blame the mother, I blame the ride operator. A tragedy all around that could have been averted. Apparently the boy was 45" tall, enought to ride alone, and that was the operator's only guideline, once they are above 42"!:doh: I hope this amusement park is shut down and tougher safety inspections are initiated. He shouldn't have been able to undo himself even if he could ride alone!

 

[txsvicki]

And again in a case where a parent made a very bad decision that in this incident resulted in the child's death, there are those who will say "oh, it was just a tragic accident, the poor woman already feels bad enough".

Honestly, that is NOT the way a whole lot of the rest of the world feels, I can assure you. Especially people who work in Emergency Rooms, on Burn Units, and in Children's hospitals.

If it is not irresponsible parenting to allow a six year old to ride alone on a 100 ft. high ferris wheel, then what is?

I agree. A six year old all alone on a big ferris wheel? The tickets at those rides are expensive for some people and maybe the mom couldn't afford to ride along but that is just too big a ride for a young child.