West Belin, New Jersey: Case Study
On the day of September 16th, Hawkins elementary school held a field trip at Digger Land Amusement park in West Belin, New Jersey. Ms. Ryder had volunteered to chaperone, she accompanied Dustin Lucas, and his two friends around the park. The accident occurred on a ride called “the ground shuttle”, a handler that carries riders off the ground and moves them in all directions. It weighs 26,587 pounds and boasts a 109 horsepower. Dustin Lucas, along with his two friends, were waiting in line to board the ride which is located at the north east side of the park. During this time, Ms. Ryder had left the line to go to the southeast corner of the park.
Ms. Ryder, who was at the “goat camp” section of the park, heard multiple screams coming from the
ride and proceeded to make her way back. When she arrived she saw the ride flipped over, as well as the hat that Mr. Lucas was wearing when they entered. It was covered in blood, located in some dirt near where the ride had flipped. Multiple workers started to pull children out of the ride. Meanwhile, other employees held patrons, as well as Ms. Ryder back from coming any closer to the scene. Mr. Lucas was the last child to be pulled from under the ride. It took several minutes to completely free him. When he emerged, he was covered in blood and screaming. Ms. Ryder commented that he looked “terrible and was in so much pain”. Mr. Lucas is currently in the ICU and has not woken up from a coma.
The ride that flipped over causing the injuries, was operated by “Junkyard Jim” Hopper. Mr. Hopper was arrested when police arrived on the scene. He registered a blood alcohol level of .097, .17 above New Jersey’s legal driving limit. He was subsequently charged with “driving while intoxicated”. There is a victim statement, where the victim accused Mr. Hopper of driving, “way too fast”. The victim also attributed the accident to a point where Mr. Hopper attempted to make a turn, which caused the ride to tip over. Mr. Hopper, on the theme parks website has stated that he “holds the record for backhoe-wheelies 360’s” and dislikes “following the rules”. There is no information to the hiring process, background checks, nor alcohol policies of Digger Land Amusement Park. However, they do advertise on their website for 20+ group discounts, including for “school events”.
Ms. Ryder, who was at the “goat camp” section of the park, heard multiple screams coming from the
ride and proceeded to make her way back. When she arrived she saw the ride flipped over, as well as the hat that Mr. Lucas was wearing when they entered. It was covered in blood, located in some dirt near where the ride had flipped. Multiple workers started to pull children out of the ride. Meanwhile, other employees held patrons, as well as Ms. Ryder back from coming any closer to the scene. Mr. Lucas was the last child to be pulled from under the ride. It took several minutes to completely free him. When he emerged, he was covered in blood and screaming. Ms. Ryder commented that he looked “terrible and was in so much pain”. Mr. Lucas is currently in the ICU and has not woken up from a coma.
The ride that flipped over causing the injuries, was operated by “Junkyard Jim” Hopper. Mr. Hopper was arrested when police arrived on the scene. He registered a blood alcohol level of .097, .17 above New Jersey’s legal driving limit. He was subsequently charged with “driving while intoxicated”. There is a victim statement, where the victim accused Mr. Hopper of driving, “way too fast”. The victim also attributed the accident to a point where Mr. Hopper attempted to make a turn, which caused the ride to tip over. Mr. Hopper, on the theme parks website has stated that he “holds the record for backhoe-wheelies 360’s” and dislikes “following the rules”. There is no information to the hiring process, background checks, nor alcohol policies of Digger Land Amusement Park. However, they do advertise on their website for 20+ group discounts, including for “school events”.