Dolton boy dies in freak roller coaster accident
Sun-Times Media wire April 4, 2011 8:40AM
The Python Pit ride at Go Bananas at 4516 N. Harlem in Norridge.
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Updated: April 6, 2011 12:30AM
A 3-year-old Dolton boy fell from a children’s roller coaster and was struck by it Saturday at a family entertainment center in Norridge, authorities said.
The incident happened about 7 p.m. Saturday at Go Bananas, 4516 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge Police Chief James Jobe said.
Jayson Dansby, 3, was pronounced dead on the scene, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said.
An autopsy Sunday determined Jayson died of multiple injuries, when he was struck by a roller coaster car and when he fell from the roller coaster, the medical examiner’s office said.
His death was ruled an accident.
“It’s just a very sad tragedy,” Go Bananas owner Jerrold Marks said. “My heart goes out to the family. I can’t imagine what they are going through.”
Jobe said Go Bananas was “packed” with weekend patrons and Jayson and his twin brother were there with their parents.
The boys were riding the “very small” Python Pit roller coaster when Jayson somehow freed himself from the safety bar and became wedged between two of the cars, Jobe said.
Jayson then fell three or four feet from the moving roller coaster.
“For some reason, he crawled out from underneath the safety bar and he fell and died from head injuries,” the chief said.
The ride is in an area that is “walled-off” from the rest of the business and the building is divided into several sections.
“It’s dark but it’s not pitch dark. It’s darker than the rest of the rides,” said Jobe.
“Part of the ride goes behind another wall and that’s where he fell.”
Jobe said no other injuries or similar incidents have occurred at Go Bananas since it has been in business.
Marks said Sunday he was not at the center when the boy fell. He said he has owned the business for six years.
Marks declined to say how the incident could have happened, saying he would leave it up to the proper authorities who are in a “better position” to answer those questions.
“We are going to cooperate 100 percent through the investigation,” Marks said.
Jobe said Saturday night, a state inspector got to the scene and issued a certificate saying it cannot be used.
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