A frightening scene unfolded at the Jersey Shore after a 2-year-old girl fell from a chairlift-style amusement ride, prompting her aunt to jump down after her while another young child remained stranded above.
The incident happened at around 7:40 p.m. Monday on the Sky Ride at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
Authorities said the 2-year-old girl was riding with her 31-year-old aunt and a 3-year-old boy when she slipped from the ride before it had begun moving.
The toddler first fell onto an entrance platform located just below the chair before tumbling onto the sand near the boardwalk.
Her aunt, who is from Bridgeton, immediately jumped from the ride to help the child and landed nearby on the sand.
The 3-year-old boy remained on the Sky Ride after the fall.
Casino Pier employees quickly shut down the attraction, and firefighters responded to the scene.
Crews used a ladder to safely remove the boy from the ride.
All three people were evaluated by emergency medical personnel at the scene before being taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for additional evaluation.
Authorities said none of them complained of pain or showed any obvious signs of injury, but they were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The aunt and both children were visiting from Bridgeton.
Seaside Heights police responded to the boardwalk near Sampson Avenue after receiving a report that a child and an adult had fallen from the ride.
Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman said officers did not observe any obvious defects with the Sky Ride.
Initial indications suggested the attraction had been operating properly when the incident occurred.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees amusement ride inspections and licensing in the state, is now investigating the incident.
So far, there has been no indication that a mechanical malfunction caused the toddler to fall.
The Sky Ride is a longtime attraction at Casino Pier and carries riders above the boardwalk in open chairlift-style seats.
The ride sits approximately 10 to 12 feet above the boardwalk in the area where the incident occurred.
The attraction was built by Borvig and has been operating at Casino Pier since 1983.
Casino Pier staff immediately shut the ride down following the fall.
Investigators are now working to determine exactly how the toddler slipped from the chair and whether any additional safety measures or action will be required.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs will ultimately determine whether the ride can continue operating without changes or whether further action is necessary.
Despite the frightening fall, authorities said the toddler, her aunt and the 3-year-old boy all avoided serious injuries.
