New York Personal Injury News & NYC Legal Current Events

Fatal Fall From Wildwood Ferris Wheel

Posted on Jun 10, 2011

A June 3^rd school trip to Wildwood, New Jersey turns into tragedy when Abiah Jones fell from the Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier Ferris Wheel. The eleven year old from Pleasantville was participating in a school field trip with other students from PleasanTech Academy.

One of the largest Ferris wheels on Eastern Coast, the giant wheel is 156 feet tall and measures the equivalent of a ten-story building. Attracting riders since 1985, the popular ride was last inspected on March 17, 2011 and passed according to New Jersey Division of Codes and Standards spokeswoman Hollie Gilroy.

At the time of the fatal accident, Abiah Jones fell from the ride which was in motion approximately five stories in the air. This is approximately half way to the top of the ride. As reported by NBCPhiladelphia.com, "Abiah-- who was riding by herself-- fell into the area where people get on and off the ride, according to police."

The ride which was immediately shut down after the accident was inspected later that day by state inspectors. According to investigators there is no indication at this time that foul play or any intentional acts resulted in this accident. "We don't know if it was a freak accident, or maybe she was looking around, we don't now" as stated by Police Capt. Robert Regalbuto of Wildwood Police. The incident remains under investigation. The Ferris Wheel has not yet been reopened to the public.

An outpouring of support from members of the community as well as strangers for the family and friends of Abiah Jones has been overwhelming. In a vigil held Sunday prayers and memories were shared by family and friends. A funeral following a Muslim service honoring the girl was attended by over 350 mourners on Wednesday.

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Lever & Stolzenberg, LLP is located in White Plains, New York and serves clients throughout the state, including New York City's five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island) as well as Westchester County, Rockland County and Long Island. 

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