Family of Boy Who Died on Adventureland Ride is Suing the Park
The family of the boy who died on Adventureland's Raging River ride last year has filed a lawsuit against the park.
The boy was 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo. He died after a raft on the ride capsized and pinned the riders underwater, leaving Michael's brother David severely injured. It also shattered the shoulder of his father, David Sr., who had been trying to flip the raft over.
Today (Thursday), KWQC reports the Jaramillo family has filed the lawsuit against Adventureland, alleging that no staff came to help in the incident and that the ride continued to operate, with thousands of pounds of water coming down it despite the parents screaming for help.
The lawsuit says Adventureland knew that the ride had issues, even the morning of the accident, but kept operating it. It also says Adventureland's locked gates kept first responders from reaching the scene and Adventureland employees weren't trained properly to help after the raft capsized.
The lawsuit doesn't have specific demands laid out but it is seeking damages for the death of Michael, injuries to his brother, and the trauma to the family.
Raging River isn't open at Adventureland this year. It closed after the incident last July and according to the state of Iowa, it had 11 issues that needed to be addressed on the ride before it can legally reopen.
This is the park's first year under new ownership, Palace Entertainment. They said last September that they would be removing three rides and bringing in ten new attractions.