Wildwood Ferris Wheel to reopen after girl’s death

The Wildwood Ferris Wheel will spin again Saturday after being closed for 15 days.

When the wheel resumes operations, new safety regulations will be in place following the June 3 death of Abiah Jones, who fell off the ride while it was in motion.

Like always, riders under 10 will need an adult to accompany them. But as the Press of Atlantic City reports, a new height requirement has been implemented.

Instead of the state-mandated 54-inch minimum height requirement, which was previously in use at Morey’s Piers, the minimum for the Ferris Wheel has been raised to 60 inches. That means a rider must be at least 10 years old and five feet tall to board the Ferris Wheel.

Jones’ parents are still calling for more safety precautions, though. A preliminary report could not determine how the girl, who met the age and height requirements to ride, fell from the wheel. But the study suggests she may not have been properly seated. Through their attorneys, Jones’ parents have called for lap restraints on the ride.