Woman, Toddler Fall From Sky Ride In Seaside Heights, Police Say

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — A woman and two toddlers were taken to a hospital on Monday after one of the children fell off the Sky Ride in Seaside Heights onto the sand, authorities said Tuesday.

Police were called to the boardwalk at Sampson Avenue about 7:40 p.m. for a report that a child and adult had fallen from the ride, Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman said.

Officers learned the woman, who was the children's aunt, had jumped from the ride when the toddler, a 2-year-old girl, had fallen, Korman said.

They landed on the sand near the platform decking of the Sky Ride, Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Farrell said.

The second child, a 3-year-old boy, remained on the ride. Farrell said the fire department "established a safe means of access" and used a ladder to reach the boy and remove him safely from the ride.

The boy was not injured, authorities said.

Korman said that neither the 31-year-old woman nor the 1-year-old girl complained of pain or had sustained obvious injuries but both basic and advanced life support emergency medical units were requested out of an abundance of caution because of the circumstances and the unknown extent of any potential injuries.

EMS personnel stabilized the girl and all three, who are from Bridgeton, were taken by Tri-Boro First Aid to Community Medical Center in Toms River for evaluation, Korman said.

He did not have further information about the results of the evaluations.

The Sky Ride was immediately stopped by ride attendants after they saw the child fall, Korman said, and Casino Pier management, maintenance personnel, and emergency medical personnel also responded immediately to assist officers and other first responders.

Officers initially observed that the ride appeared to be functioning properly, and no apparent defect was observed, Korman said.

The incident remains under investigation, Korman said.