3-year-old Boy Dies in Fall from Coaster

[ilrider]

This just happened last night on an indoor kiddie coaster, Python Pit, at a restaurant/amusement park near Chicago. Few details other than he slipped under the restraint and got wedged between two cars, suffering head injuries.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/4638714-417/dolton-boy-3-dies-after-fall-from-roller-coaster-at-go-bananas.html

 

A three-year-old Dolton boy died Saturday after falling from a roller coaster at a family entertainment center in northwest suburban Norridge, police said.

 

At 7 p.m., the boy was riding the Python Pit roller coaster with his twin brother at Go Bananas, 4516 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge police chief James Jobe said.

 

The boy somehow freed himself from under a safety bar and became wedged between two cars and suffered head injuries, Jobe said. The boy then fell from the moving roller coaster.

 

The identity of the boy, from Dolton, has not been released.

 

A state inspector performed a preliminary investigation and closed the park while the investigation is being conducted, officials said.

 

Height requirements were posted near the front of the park, Jobe said, but it is believed the boy was tall enough to ride.

 

“It was just a tragic accident,” Jobe said.

 

No one answered the phone at Go Bananas early Sunday.

 

On its website, Go Bananas boasts “exciting child sized rides, challenging games for all ages and a fantastic 4-story soft playground with tunnels, tubes, slides, chutes and more…’’

 

The center “offers the ultimate family entertainment experience — combining the excitement of an amusement park and your favorite summer carnival with great tasting pizza and other family favorites!’’ the website says.

 

The center, according to a July article by Sun-Times Media, is more than five years old.

Edited April 3, 2011 by robbalvey

[Blatch]

That's just horrible!

 

As always, my deepest condolences go out ot those related to the kid involved. This is indeed a tragic accident for anyone involved. Although, judging by what little info is available, it was probably a freak accident and nothing more than an error of the ride systems.

[ilrider]

I have read that there is a lap bar and a seatbelt on the ride. There is definitely a lap bar and then a bar for the riders to hold above that, from photos I've seen. The entire establishment has been shut down by the village of Norridge, and investigations have started. More details are coming out from various news outlets.

 

It sounds like his family witnessed the accident. Horrible, horrible thing, and his twin brother was riding beside him.

[WFChris]

This is tragic news. Condolences to the family, especially the twin brother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(wow, worst 666'th post ever)

[B.A.B]

Okay I have to say this,who would let an 3-year old on an roller coaster even if he was tall or not. He wouldn't know wheather to sit in his seat or not he 3. My prayers go out for the family that had to suffer for that poor tradgey.

[SharkTums]

^Be careful with generalizations. I know a few three year olds that understand what to do on a roller coaster and wouldn't freak out and try to get off the ride while it's going or do other unsafe activities. Shame this boys parents didn't realize their sons limits.

[Skycoastin Steve]

I guess the best advice here is for all parents to ride with their children when possible. That would seem to be the best way to learn their limits and whether or not they are afraid of what they are riding. Not sure about the restraints and all that, need to hear more about if there was a seatbelt, if the lapbar was all the way down or not, etc.

[SharkTums]

^Totally agree with that! KT has never ridden a roller coaster alone that adults have ALSO been allowed to ride.

 

This is why SFMM makes NO SENSE, in that they have a kiddie coaster with no height restriction that you could throw any kid on, but they have a height restriction for the kiddie that you can ride with an adult?!!?

[ilrider]

I have a 2-year-old son who is almost 42" already, so he's ridden some smaller coasters, and he loves them (his favorite is Little Dipper at SFGam), but I would never let him ride without an adult. He behaves perfectly, though.

 

I am curious to hear whether the ride operator saw the child getting out of the restraints or not. A portion of this coaster is a short, dark tunnel, and as I understand it this is where the child fell out.