Boy at Coney Island injured in fall from kiddie roller coaster
NEW YORK -- A 5-year-old boy was recovering from a broken leg Thursday after he became frightened while riding a kiddie roller coaster at Coney Island, wriggled his way out of the car he was in, and fell.
Witnesses said the little boy, whose name was not released, became wedged between the track and the cars of the Sea Serpent ride. Deno’s Wonder Wheel, which operates some of the rides on the boardwalk at Coney Island, said the bright green Sea Serpent -- a ride designed for young children -- had never had an accident in its 15 years in operation.
Dennis Vourderis, who is vice president of Deno’s Wonder Wheel, said the boy apparently climbed out of his car at the top of one of the ride’s hills. “The lap bar was securely fastened, and he just wiggled his way out from underneath it,” Vourderis said. “He was frightened.”
Officials said the boy met the 36-inch height requirement to be on the ride. Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings checked the Sea Serpent and said in a statement that no mechanical defects had been found.
Last month, a woman fell to her death from a roller coaster at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park in Arlington, Texas. That incident is still under investigation.
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