šØ WOMAN, TODDLER FALL FROM SKY RIDE AT SEASIDE HEIGHTS BOARDWALK š
A two-year-old girl and her aunt were hospitalized for evaluation after falling from the Sky Ride in Seaside Heights on Monday. Investigators say the child fell onto the sand, and the woman jumped down to reach her.
š SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ ā A woman and a young child were taken to a hospital for evaluation Monday evening after the child fell from the Sky Ride at the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, prompting the woman to jump from the ride to help, according to authorities.
Seaside Heights police said officers were called to the boardwalk near Sampson Avenue at approximately 7:40 p.m. for reports that an adult and child had fallen from the ride.
Investigators learned that a 2-year-old girl had fallen from the Sky Ride onto the sand. Police said the child's 31-year-old aunt then jumped from the ride in an effort to help her.
According to Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Farrell, the woman and child landed on the sand near the ride's platform decking.
šØāš A second child, a 3-year-old boy, remained aboard the Sky Ride. Firefighters established a safe means of access and used a ladder to reach the boy, safely removing him from the ride.
Authorities said the boy was not injured.
Police said neither the woman nor the 2-year-old initially complained of pain or displayed obvious injuries. However, emergency medical personnel were called to the scene out of an abundance of caution due to the circumstances and the possibility of injuries that were not immediately apparent.
š EMS personnel stabilized the young girl, and all three individuals ā who are from Bridgeton ā were transported by Tri-Boro First Aid to Community Medical Center in Toms River for medical evaluation.
Authorities did not immediately release information regarding the results of those evaluations.
The Sky Ride was immediately stopped by ride attendants after the child was seen falling. Casino Pier management, maintenance personnel and emergency medical crews also responded to assist first responders.
Police said an initial inspection indicated that the ride appeared to be functioning properly, with no apparent mechanical defect observed.
š The incident remains under investigation.
š° Garden State News Network will continue monitoring this investigation and provide additional information as it becomes available.