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Ferris Wheel Death Legal Fight Begins

by: iradiotom - Philadelphia, PA
started: 06/15/11 6:52 am | updated: 06/15/11 6:52 am

The parents of the 11-year-old girl who fell to her death from a Wildwood Ferris wheel have involved an attorney to communicate to the media. This appears to be the beginning of legal actions related to the death of their daughter Abiah Jones, an honor roll student visiting Morey's Pier on June 3rd.

For now, Jones parents suggest new safety measures. "We just want to make sure this doesn't happen to another child," Abiah's father Byron Jones said. The family's attorney has launched an investigation.

"This Ferris wheel was a 156 feet high. It had no restraint system to keep them in the gondola of the Ferris wheel. If it had, Abiah would be alive today," family attorney Larry Bendesky said.

It remains unclear exactly what happened and how Abiah fell.

But the family's attorney believes all Ferris wheels should have a restraint system, sort of like a seatbelt in a car or a harness system over both shoulders.

The Department of Community Affairs investigating the accident says the ride in question has operated in excess of 25 years without serious incident and no defects or malfunctions were found.

It recommends a minimum height of 54 inches for riding without a parent or guardian and a minimum of two riders per vehicle.

A statement released by Morey's Piers owners says, "The Jones' family decision to hire an attorney is their decision to make and we respect whatever decision is most appropriate for them."

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