Thread: Language Barrier May Have Played Role In Ferris Wheel Death

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/9400270/detail.html

Language Barrier May Have Played Role In Ferris Wheel Death
Mother Watched As Boy Fell To His Death

POSTED: 1:48 pm PDT June 20, 2006

STOCKTON, Calif. -- There are some frightening details out now about the circumstances surrounding the death of a six-year-old boy who fell from a Ferris wheel Sunday at the San Joaquin County Fair.

The boy's mother says she believed her son tried to climb out of the car when he panicked on the ride.

Sophia Castillo says she screamed at the operator of the Ferris wheel to bring her son's car to the bottom but because he didn't speak English, he didn't understand her.

She watched her son -- Ruben -- dangle for about 40 seconds before he fell 90 feet to his death.

According to police, Ruben Castillo was riding alone at the time of the incident. Investigators said it was not clear how he tumbled from the ride, but his mother was watching as he neared the top of the 100-foot ride and fell.

Witnesses said the boy looked frightened as the gondola neared its highest point. They said it appeared the boy tried to climb out.

Cal-OSHA officials, who are investigating the incident, said it was not clear why he might have climbed out or whether he was properly secured in the seat.

A fair spokesman said the rides have no age restrictions, only a height requirement which Ruben met.

The ride was operated by Fairfield-based Butler Amusements and had a valid permit. Spokeswoman Mary Castel said the company is sorry for the accident but stands by its safety record.

The ride was shut down Sunday and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it would investigate to determine if it could resume operation, said Forrest White, the fair's chief executive officer.

Authorities have not released the name of the boy, or his mother.

Originally Posted by Brian503a

Sophia Castillo says she screamed at the operator of the Ferris wheel to bring her son's car to the bottom but because he didn't speak English, he didn't understand her.

She watched her son -- Ruben -- dangle for about 40 seconds before he fell 90 feet to his death.

According to police, Ruben Castillo was riding alone at the time of the incident. Investigators said it was not clear how he tumbled from the ride, but his mother was watching as he neared the top of the 100-foot ride and fell.

Authorities have not released the name of the boy, or his mother.

i swear that the news agencies are dipping into the bottom of the barrel when hiring reporters these days.

Yeah, I noticed that name omission problem too..

Re: the language issue...
One more reason for encouraging and/or requiring English as an official language - it would help not only assimilation, but probably would have saved a kid's life too.

I am curious why she let him go up unaccompanied. Those carnival rides are iffy at best. Surely a lawsuit will come out of this...

Concernedmother: I thought the same thing. Who lets a six year old ride a ferris wheel by himself? Thank God I have a cast iron gut and enjoy riding rides with my kids

I agree she should not have let her child ride alone. I always rode with my son and if I could not take it, he just did not go on. There are so many other rides usually so he did not mind. If he was already climbing out at the top of the ride then even if the operator had tried to get him down he would most likely have fallen anyway. A six year old does not have the intelligence to understand what can happen if he climbs out of his seat. A good parent would know that. I do feel sorry for this woman as losing a child is a terrible loss for any parent, that is why we must all be diligent in the safety of our children. Sometimes I go a bit overboard with it, but at least I have peace of mind knowing that my child is as safe as I can make him in this crazy world.