Magic Teacup critically injures rider

An inspection has found no mechanical problems with the ride.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 3, 2007

DANIA BEACH - A 13-year-old girl remained in intensive care Monday after she hit her head on a spinning ride at a children's amusement park last week.

Natashia West was injured Thursday on the Magic Teacup ride at Boomers.

She is now heavily sedated at Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital in Hollywood, and most of her injuries are on the front of her head, said Donnie Jackson, her father.

The Tamarac girl has a sensor in her head to monitor pressure in her skull.

She cannot talk, but was taken off a respirator Sunday, Jackson said.

"All I want is for her to be the same little girl she was, " he said.

The ride carries passengers inside round cups. At the center of each cup is a wheel riders can turn to control how fast it spins.

"You don't expect your child to be put on a ride one minute, and the next minute she's trauma-alerted, " Jackson said.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspected the ride Friday and found no mechanical problems, agency spokesman Terence McElroy said.

The department has not concluded its investigation, but expects to release a report later this week.

The ride was cleared by the department to open, but remained closed Monday, McElroy said.

A routine inspection by the department in April also found the ride to have no mechanical problems.

[Last modified July 3, 2007, 01:24:12]