Boy, 6, plunges to death from top of Ferris wheel

[Janice]

STOCKTON, California (AP) -- A 6-year-old boy plunged 90 feet to his death from the top of a Ferris wheel while his mother watched from below at the San Joaquin County Fair, authorities said.

Ruben Castillo was riding alone in his gondola, which was near the top of the 100-foot Giant Wheel when he fell Sunday afternoon, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

California Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials, who are investigating the incident, were told that the boy tried to climb out of his seat, said spokesman Dean Fryer. It was not immediately clear why he climbed out or whether he was properly secured in the seat, Fryer said.

The fair's rides have no age restrictions, only a height requirement, which Ruben met for the Giant Wheel, said Forrest White, the fair's executive director.

The ride was operated by Fairfield-based Butler Amusements Inc. and had a valid permit, which was due for its annual renewal next month, Fryer said.

"We are extremely sorry this tragic accident occurred," said Butler Amusements spokeswoman Mary Castel. The Giant Wheel will remain closed until the investigation is complete.

[O Town]

How sad. I can tell you I would not let my 6 year old on the big wheel alone. No way, no how. We always go together. That poor mother, very sad and unfortunate accident.

[TexasStooge]

That's just horrible!

[sunny]

WHY did this mother let her six year old on this ride alone? Do I feel sad for her? You bet. But you just don't let your six year old go on a ride like this alone!

[Miss Mary]

Back when our kids were quite small and we didn't want to pay very high amusement park prices, we'd take them to county fairs to enjoy the rides. We rode with them unless it was a slow moving kiddie ride. That said, I always felt uneasy about these rides and if they were properly maintained (not to mention the operators sometimes looked rough and as if they didn't care to enforce safety). I'm guessing a ferris wheel operator at a large amusement park would never allow a 6 year old to ride alone. I would also have to imagine there will be charges filed somewhere along the line here - either with the mother and/or county fair. For allowing such a tragedy to occur in the first place. There is only a bar stopping you from tipping out! I'm even nervous on ferris wheels when they stop at the very top. And then you have that long wait until they unload and reload, not to mention at each stop, the car you're sitting in swings back and forth with only a slight movement. This sure sounds like a recipe for disaster. What was this mother thinking I wonder?

Mary

[Janice]

Yes, I agree that a six year old is too young to ride alone. If the parents are not this smart, the owners of the rides should be...

[sunny]

Yes, I agree that a six year old is too young to ride alone. If the parents are not this smart, the owners of the rides should be...

VERY good point Janice.

[HurricaneGirl]

My sentiments exactly.

[x-y-no]

They let a 6 year old ride in a gondola alone?

Unbelievable idiocy!

[beachbum_al]

I was thinking the same thing. What is a six year old doing in a ferris wheel along? And why didn't the people working the ferris wheel let him on alone with a parent or an adult. I can't even imagine my 7 year old who will be 8 in October riding on something like that alone. SCARY

[O Town]

Yes, but I do not trust ANYONE to look out for my kids the way that I do. That said I think this mother was just not thinking, he probably whined and moaned to go on, and she caved against her better judgment. She learned the hardest way possible that sometimes you just need to say NO to your kids. These characters that run these rides are well known all over the US for being a little rough around the edges, hell I get a little paraniod myself when I get on a ride, no way would I let my 6 year old on that type of ride alone.

[SouthFloridawx]

I am not a parent so I can not speak from that side but, what I will say is how horrible for this young boy I feel. I can just imagine that maybe he was really excited about going on the ride and then when he realized what it was actually like he freaked out. I can not possibly imagine what was going through his mind but, it was probably utter terror to cause a person to do that. Parents or an adult should always make sure thier kids have someone with them when they are that young. A foolish mistake that mother will regret for the rest of her life. I will say a prayer for the boy and his family and friends.

[Skywatch_NC]

Prayers and thoughts to this young boy's family.

The mother should have accompanied her child on the ride.

[Janice]

Yes, it is horrible to learn a lesson after a tragedy like this. This will haunt the family forever.

[southerngale]

WHY did this mother let her six year old on this ride alone? Do I feel sad for her? You bet. But you just don't let your six year old go on a ride like this alone!

That's exactly what I said to myself when I read it. I can't imagine the horror of watching your 6 year old son fall to his death. My eyes are teared up just thinking about it. I cannot even fathom it! I also cannot imagine letting him get on there alone! If I was to get on with any child, I'd be holding them very tight, and still be nervous they'd try to stand up or something. NO WAY should that child have been let on alone...by his mother or the operator. The innocent child relies on others to do the logical thinking for him. This was a senseless death.

[george_r_1961]

WHY did this mother let her six year old on this ride alone? Do I feel sad for her? You bet. But you just don't let your six year old go on a ride like this alone!

That's exactly what I said to myself when I read it. I can't imagine the horror of watching your 6 year old son fall to his death. My eyes are teared up just thinking about it. I cannot even fathom it! I also cannot imagine letting him get on there alone! If I was to get on with any child, I'd be holding them very tight, and still be nervous they'd try to stand up or something. NO WAY should that child have been let on alone...by his mother or the operator. The innocent child relies on others to do the logical thinking for him. This was a senseless death.

Most reputable ride operators..and i do not mean carnivals..have strict height or age requirements for their rides. But the ultimate responsibilty lies with the parents. Even the ones that are old enough to ride by themselves need to be cautioned to remain seated and not to attempt to defeat the restraints.

Amazingly with all the theme parks and carnivals in this country I know of NO regulation of thrill rides. Maybe its time.

[Cookiely]

When I was 8, my sister and I rode on a roller coaster (first and last scary ride for me). The bar was engaged, I heard it click. Coming down the first slide, the bar came loose. We were in the last car and we tried with everything we had to hold the bar to us but we couldn't get it latched. Everytime we would descend we were almost thrown out of the car. We finally scruched down onto the floor and braced ourselves. I love rides but stick with ones that are on the ground.

[O Town]

OMG, cookiely. How scary, glad you guys were able to hang on. I don't think I would want to ride anything if I had an incident like that. You guys must have been freaked out.