Park Will Improve Safety for Ride on Which Girl Died
An amusement park ride on which a 7-year-old girl was killed last month will have seat belts, more lighting and a second attendant when it reopens, officials announced Thursday.
Westchester County officials said they planned changes to the Mind Scrambler ride at Playland Park on Long Island Sound even though the park was not cited for any violations or required to make improvements to the ride.
Investigators concluded that Stephanie Dieudonne died May 22 when she apparently wriggled free of the restraining bar on one of the Mind Scrambler’s cars, knelt on the seat and fell soon after the ride started up.
The Mind Scrambler spins riders around in a darkened tent to flashing lights and loud music. Investigators said the girl had been on the ride several times before.
No operator error was found, and the ride’s permits were up-to-date.
Stephanie met the ride’s requirements for being at least 6 years old and standing at least 4 feet tall.
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