Family watch in helpless horror as Chicago toddler falls to his death from children's roller coaster

By Daniel Bates
Last updated at 7:51 PM on 3rd April 2011
Go Bananas theme park is closed pending further inspections
Parents witnessed tragedy unfold
A boy of three has died after falling out of a children’s roller coaster at an amusement park in front of his horrified family.
Jayson Dansby was sitting next to his twin brother when he wriggled free of the safety bar and stood up - but then lost his balance.
The youngster fell backwards and hit his head before tumbling 10ft to the floor.
His mother and father are believed to have seen the tragedy unfold in front of them and ran to help but their son was declared dead at the scene.

Dream trip turned nightmare: An image from a home video posted on YouTube in December shows the Python Pit roller coaster at Go Bananas Amusement Park in Illinois. A three-year-old boy has died after falling from the ride yesterday

Police said they were ‘inconsolable’.
The Go Bananas amusement park in Norridge near Chicago, Illinois, has been closed until further notice as detectives and safety teams investigate what happened.
Investigators will be looking at how the boy managed to get himself free and whether or not he was tall enough to be allowed on the Python Park snake-themed ride.
The accident happened around 5pm on Saturday night as the popular Chuck E. Cheese style establishment was filled with families enjoying themselves.
Go Bananas is a popular place for children to have their birthday parties and it is thought there were some celebrating when the accident happened.
Norridge chief of police James Jobe told MailOnline: ‘Details are still being worked out but it looks like the boy was in the front car with his brother and he managed to get free from the safety bar.
‘He stood up but fell backward and landed in the join between the first car and the second car.
‘Then he fell to the floor with serious head injuries. He was declared dead at the scene.’
Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, a person who answered the door at the Dansby household said his family was not ready to speak publicly about the incident.
Investigation: The ride is now closed while authorities conduct a full inspection
A neighbour said she often saw Jayson playing with his brother on their family's front lawn and described the boy as a 'very nice, friendly child.'
Chief Jobe added that the roller coaster, like the rest of the rides in the park, was not an adult-sized roller coaster but a small ride for young children.
'We have not had any incidents like this before and we have no record of safety issues with the amusement park,’ he said.
‘It’s a small place with a few rides, amusement arcades and a pizza restaurant.
‘Saturdays are very popular there so it would have been packed.
‘It just looks like a tragic accident and a terrible thing to have happened. I’ve spoken with his parents and they are understandably inconsolable.’
Illinois state safety inspectors are now examining the Python Park ride to see if there were any mechanical problems.
They will also be interviewing the teenage members of staff who were on duty when the accident happened.
Go Bananas has been in operation for around six years and caters for children aged between three and 12.
On its website, it boasts ‘exciting child sized rides, challenging games for all ages and a fantastic 4-story soft playground with tunnels, tubes, slides, chutes and more.’
The centre claims to offer ‘the ultimate family entertainment experience - combining the excitement of an amusement park and your favourite summer carnival with great tasting pizza and other family favourites!’
Jim Hayes, the general manager at Go Bananas, told MailOnline that staff were ‘extremely sorrowful’ about what had happened.
‘We are cooperating with the authorities in their investigation but we have been asked not to talk about it any further,’ he said.
Asked about the safety record of the Python Pit roller coaster or if they have been any previous accidents, he refused to comment.

A statement the park’s website says: ‘We want to ensure that each of our guests has a safe and enjoyable experience at Go Bananas.’


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1372913/Chicago-toddler-Jayson-Dansby-killed-falling-rollercoaster-horrified-family.html#ixzz1IUcbfTyg

God, how sad. A family day out turning to such tragedy.
RIP little one xx