http://www.wtov9.com/news/9427795/detail.html

What is a 4 year old doing riding a ferris wheel alone?

I believe the 7 year old and the 4 year old were riding together.

And it is a small, nearly kiddie ride.

I see restraints coming for Ferris Wheels, I fear. Just about a week ago, a little boy died in California when he apparently panicked and climbed out of a 90 foot tall Ferris Wheel when it stopped while he was at the top position. The operator in that incident apparently did not speak English, either. And the mother "thought" her son would be riding with others.

A 7 year old is not an appropriate custodian for the care of a 4 year old. I'm guessing a referral is being made to Children's Services as we speak.

It's a kiddie Ferris Wheel with caged gondolas:

http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=55512&r=0

They were quite common at one time. I am not sure that adults can even ride the thing.

Wait if they were caged how did the kids fall out

It looked as if the tops were just a canopy. This is defently sad news. I hope the riders didn't play into this accident, by rocking the car.

Having operated the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel for many years at Coney I can offer some insights on the way Coney runs their wheel (Which was manufactured in 1947). If a kid is under 48 inches, they must ride with a chaperone. At Coney, a chaperone is considered anyone sixteen years of age or older. I have refused to let kids on because the person they were going to ride with was only twelve.

Also, I have kicked people off of the ride for rocking the cars after repeatedly telling them to not rock. (Its also plastered on the back of all the cars, so they have to see it when they ride it). They are technically breaking Ohio law by disobeying all verbal and posted instructions.

Having operated the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel for many years at Coney I can offer some insights on the way Coney runs their wheel (Which was manufactured in 1947). If a kid is under 48 inches, they must ride with a chaperone. At Coney, a chaperone is considered anyone sixteen years of age or older. I have refused to let kids on because the person they were going to ride with was only twelve.

Also, I have kicked people off of the ride for rocking the cars after repeatedly telling them to not rock. (Its also plastered on the back of all the cars, so they have to see it when they ride it). They are technically breaking Ohio law by disobeying all verbal and posted instructions.

And that is exactly how it should be.

Coney's got it right!