As I sat on the beach today, reading my little heart out, little did I know that a girl had fallen from the Wildwood Ferris Wheel, just 30-some blocks away, on the boardwalk.
The lead story on the news today took us by surprise — shock, really — when we saw witnesses and police on Morey’s Pier…this can’t be good, we figured. The pier was closed last night (too early in the season) while we were on the boardwalk, taking part in our people-watching routine. This afternoon, a 12-year-old girl somehow fell from the Ferris Wheel while it was in motion, from the upper half of the ride (it’s 156 feet tall, mind you). One of the witnesses told a news reporter that there was blood in the pool underneath the ride (there’s a paddle-boat ride that runs under the Ferris Wheel), so I don’t know if she fell into the pool or what happened. The details are sketchy, although initial reports indicate they do not think that the accident was due to a mechanical failure.
According to reports, the girl fell from the Ferris Wheel (she was neither pushed nor did she jump, authorities indicated) onto the passenger loading area. She was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital, where she died. Of course, the ride is closed, as are several others.
Today was the second day of Morey Piers’ annual Education Extravaganza, which is described as an event where “Learning becomes a ‘day at the beach’ when students in grades three through twelve enjoy a day of hands-on learning and interactive participation utilizing the beach and Morey’s Piers amusements. Only select rides will be open for this event.”
According to one ABC broadcast, witnesses who were a few cars above the girl stated that she was alone in her car, sitting in the middle of the three-person seat and it appeared she passed out before she fell. No matter how it happened, it’s a sobering and tragic moment for many, and especially for her family. As a parent, it’s hard to wrap your head around such a tragedy…and it’s quite troublesome, when you imagine how that could have been your child and how devastating this accident must be for her family.
I don’t know about you, but incidents like these are quite sobering for me, and they shake me to the core. I’m not high-strung or melodramatic but, well, it’s hard not to feel something when something happens that is so tragic and, at the same time, something you can relate to. Last weekend, I was encouraging my brother to take his 2-year-old daughter on the Ferris Wheel, for ‘the experience.” (“It’s all about ‘the experience,’” a friend has told me more than once.) Now, it’s not like the Ferris Wheel is unsafe or anyone can just fall off, for no reason. But, hey, one of my kids could have been at the Education Extravaganza…and passing out can happen to anyone, from too much sun, dehydration, etc.
I also feel something when a child is hurt or, God forbid, killed…and I definitely feel for the parents. It’s kind of an unspoken bond, you know, the empathy that you feel for a parent who suffers such a horrible tragedy. What an incredibly horrific and sad day for so many. I can’t imagine how a family ever recovers from something like this, but I hope that, in some way, they’re able to make it through this.
For the rest of us, it makes you just want to hold your kids closer, hug them a little tighter, and practice a little more patience and a lot more gratitude.
Update: The child was identified as 11-year-old Abiah Jones, from Pleasantville. All three piers were closed Friday night, out of respect for the child and her family.
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oh my what a sad, sad thing to happen…I cannot imagine the pain this family is going through, so sad.
I saw a small part of this on our local news, so sad, and the family and friends… our prayers are with them this weekend.
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That was nuts wasn’t it!! My heart goes out to that family, for sure.
Weren’t you freezing your tushy off at the beach??? Never made it down to Cape May this weekend…….I was bummed.
Have a FAB week!!
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I heard about that. I couldn’t believe it myself. In fact I gave my kids each an extra kiss on the head when I went in to check on them at night!
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This is so sad and really, really scary too!
Oh my. I am so utterly sorry to read this. My heard is breaking. Your post was beautifully written.
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Devon ~
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How very sad! I was slightly apprehensive when riding ferris wheels as a child, thanks to reading The Carnival Ghost Sweet Valley Twin book.
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WOW…OMG…that is so sad…I used to go there all the time with my family, way back when I was a teen…over 20 years ago…I had an episode where one ride didn’t lock and I was screaming bloody murder to stop the ride…my b/f was holding my guardrail down…and my mom was saying something is wrong…I was screaming stop the ride and they didn’t hear me…what do you know, it locked when the ride was over…needless to say..I never went on that ride again..but whenever I hear this, it makes me sad, and scared…my daughter works at six flags…all my kids go there, and I freak out each and every time…These parks may be fun…but are also dangerous…..stumbled you..hope you stumble back… http://my-inspired-space.blogspot.com/2011/06/can-you-spot-pathological-liar.html
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Kristin, this is deeply saddening. You don’t have to be melodramatic or high strung to affected by a tragedy such as this. I can’t imagine being the devastated parent of this child.
I am very afraid of amusement park rides. The thought always enters my mind “What if I fall out?” “What if a screw becomes undone?” I still enjoy riding some of them even though I have a feeling of doom.
I am very sorry for the family and friends of this child. Bunny hugs to all of them. xo
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What a sad and tragic death! I stumbled your post. Thanks for co-sponsoring the hop.
Laura
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My heart hurts for the family and friends of this small girl. Prayers for the family! thanks for posting this story – just might save someones life…..I for sure will think of your post when I see a Ferris Wheel.
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That is a SAD SAD tragedy!! My feelings are with this family!! What a terrible loss and tragedy!! I can’t imagine their feelings
I am always afraid of these rides and hubby says I am too chicken!!
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This just breaks my heart, thought and prayers go out to all of thoes involved.
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Oh my gosh, this is such a tragedy! My heart goes out their family. I’ve always been afraid of ferris wheels out of fear of falling or getting stuck.
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This is so sad! My heart breaks when I hear a story like this. Her poor parents.
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Oh wow. This is a real tragedy.
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How awful. I will keep this in my prayers. Stumbled you back. Thanks for stopping by today. Blessings…
I did hear this tragic news and did not realize that is where you are right now. I can’t imagine what everyone in the area must be feeling. Horrible and tragic.
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