STOCKTON – The child who died Sunday after falling 50 feet from a Ferris wheel at the San Joaquin County Fair was identified this morning as Ruben Castillo, 6, of Stockton.Castillo’s mother, Sophia Castillo of Stockton, told The Record Monday morning that it was her son who died after falling from the fair’s Giant Wheel around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Sophia Castillo was watching from below when the accident occurred.
According to Stockton police, Ruben Castillo fell from the 50-foot-tall ride as it passed its highest point. He was alone and apparently became scared and tried to climb out of the gondola-style car, witnesses said.The fair is closed because of a scheduled off-day today.Fair Chief Executive Officer Forrest White said Monday that the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating whether mechanical failure contributed to the accident. The wheel is operated by Fairfield-based Butler Amusements Inc., which has had a contract to operate the fair for more than a decade, White said.The Stockton Police Department is also conducting an investigation into the accident. Department spokeswoman Roseann Clark said there was no new information Monday morning.For expanded coverage, see Tuesday's Record.
7 comments:
I blame both sides on this one.
#1, the mother for letting her 6 year old go in an open car ferris wheel by himself, and #2 the people running the show that let him get on and should have known better. Yes, he met the height requirements, but c'mon! SOME common sense must shine through somewhere.... Then again, we are talking about carnies here.
I think the thing that amazed me the most was the interview with the mom I saw on TV. She didn't even seemed phased by it. I would have thought she was talking about screwing up dinner or something, not the death of her child. I guess I shouldn't expect too much from the woman who would let her kid go on such a thing in the first place.
It'll be intereting to see if those emotions change once the lawyers start telling her how much money she could possibly make in a lawsuit.
why the hell was a 6 year old by himself on a ferris wheel and his mother was watching? I wouldn't let my 11 year old go by herself.
Totally agree. I think this sort of falls on the mother and the attendant who allowed a young child on alone. I cannot even imagine the terror the child felt going to the top, being afraid and so much so, tried to climb down while in motion. I remember being a child on one of these with my parents in the car with me and them rocking it trying to scare me. That was bad enough. My heart would stop, I was petrified. Imagine you are a child all alone and more afraid than even that.
My heart goes out to the child. I just can't even imagine. Forget the mother who now has to live with it and according to John was so flip or calm about it. She has to deal with that the rest of her life. I'm thinking of the poor little child. So sad....
Jenn
I saw this on the news last night. To my shock, I worked with the mother a few years ago. She is a very good person with a kind heart. So before anyone else wants to judge her, you should stop and think before you do because you don't even know her. She thought her son was going on with other children. Maybe she didn't seemed phased by it because she was in shock. I'm sure she has cried a river. I cannot believe you people are so judgmental over someone you don't know or know her character. This is a very sad situation. Who are you to judge her??
OK, then I blame the other children along with the mother.
If you can't handle the resposibility of a child. Don't have one.
And what makes you as nothing more than a former co-worker such a valid voice of the character of this woman? I can't even count how many times I've seen the aftermath of some horrific event where co-workers or neighbors have said "I can't believe this person did that. It's just not like them." How much do we REALLY know about people that aren't our closest family and friends?
Not as much as we think.
wow.i cant even believe you guys would judge the mother, her child died...and not by something she caused......you have no heart. shame on you!
Before anybody starts judging and blaming the mother we all need to look at reality. Nobody wants to go through what Sophia is going through at this time. It's a tragedy that can happen to anyone. Say it was a gondola cart full of children and they all fell because of one child being scared. Then who was going to be at blame. Every ride should have a lock for safety and no child should be let alone on any ride no exceptions. Not just the pherris wheel. Fear is something that we have no control over. What if an adult was on the ride and got scared ? Nobody knows when/what will make you scared and panicky until you are placed in that situation.
For the comment to John I really feel that before you start jugding anybody please understand that when something like this was to happen people remain in shock for some time and still can't believe this has happened. Sophia maybe did not seem phased by it at the time because she was probably still in shock, scared, ect....
I had been really close with Rueben and his mother for some time until unfortunately I had lost touch. Rueben was such a great kid. He was always about impressing his mom in everything he did. I still can't phaze the fact that this has happened to my friends son. The little boy I would always hear in the background or how much she would talk about him.
The mother is a sweet, great person who always did the best for her and her kids. We all make mistakes and i know for a fact that she would have done anything to prevent little Rueben from this tragedy.
I don't understand why people have to judge or find someone to blame. Is that all that matters to everyone lets all feel for the mom, sister and grandparents who are probably so hurt at this time.
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