11-year-old girl falls to death from New Jersey Ferris Wheel

2011-06-05 01:08:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY (BNO NEWS) -- A young girl fell to her death from a Ferris Wheel at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier in New Jersey on Friday afternoon, officials said.

The accident happened at around 12.30 p.m. local time when 11-year-old Abiah Jones fell from one of the gondolas of the Ferris Wheel at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier, which is located on the Boardwalk in Wilwood, New Jersey. Police said she was alone inside the gondola.

Jones, who was on a class trip during the piers' annual Education Extravaganza, was airlifted to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Hundreds of students were at the amusement park when it happened.

"On behalf of the Morey Family and staff, I offer our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family," said Will Morey, president of Morey's Piers. The amusement park was closed after the accident, but reopened on Saturday although the Ferris Wheel remains closed while an investigation continues.

It remains unclear how Jones fell from the gondola, but authorities said it appears to be a tragic accident and not the result of a mechanical or operational failure. Police said Jones fell from the 156-foot (47-meters) Giant Wheel when the gondola was at its highest point.

The Giant Wheel opened in 1985 and was last inspected in March.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-05

probably a suicide

probably a suicide

An eyewitness has been quoted as stating that she was looking over the ledge and fainted and fell over.

Well this is in the USofA -- I smell a massive lawsuit.

Why is this Thai news???? Why is it even news????

Well this is in the USofA -- I smell a massive lawsuit.

Why is this Thai news???? Why is it even news????

This news item is posted in the World News sections of the forum.

probably a suicide

An eyewitness has been quoted as stating that she was looking over the ledge and fainted and fell over.

Sorry, I probably missed that line of text.