Life sucks right now...
August 3rd 2005, my baby brother stepped in to eternity. The story has been all over the country, being titled, "The Playland Death."
Toward the end of a fun filled day at Rye Playland my Mother, 4 year old sister and 7 year old brother were on their way out, when near the exit of the park, my brother spots one last ride he would like to go on. The Ye Old Mill, one of the oldest rides in the history of Playland, quiet from the outside, no music indicating that the ride was even the slightest bit edgy (scary). I Personally have gone on the ride several times as a young boy (before it was revamped and spiced up). The ride seemed harmless to unsuspecting parents who's arms were being tugged on by their children, who just wanted to go on "one last ride before they leave." Little did they know how dark and evil the ride really was.
A few years ago a company (Sally Corp.) was hired to re design the Ye Old Mill.
Taken from Sally Corp's web site... " The Point of No Return. Once past the sign, visitors face fierce dragons in a smoky, volcanic grotto; and evil trolls in Troll City use water cannons, swinging logs and other diabolical ploys to capture the intruders. A creaking, collapsing dam, provides a hair-raising finale."
Even for a very mature child this so called kiddy ride, in some parts, is completly dark. No light what so ever. Im sure most adults would feel it is a little intense. Yes, with camaraderie of a few friends or a loved one near by most would laugh and call this ride a joke. No one stopped or even inquired if such a ride would be too much for a "big" 7 year old kid. Hey but if I were getting paid 8 bucks an hour I wouldn't take my job as serious either...
So off goes my brother ready to take on this last ride of the day. The ride operator, tired annoyed due to the extreme heat, rushes him on the boat. Takes a look at his watch and counts down the minutes until he goes on break. Mean while 2 out of the 4 operators who were supposed to be there gallivanted off to get some water, with out the permission of their supervisor.
Just what if they were where they were supposed to be at the time my brother got on that boat?
What if?
What if maybe one of them saw this young boy getting on this big 6 passenger boat alone and said something or even mentioned to my mom that this ride was very dark and at times pitch black!?
What if?
What if the ride operator waited to put my brother on with another kid? What if it were the operator's kid, would he or she let them go on alone knowing what awaits them?
What if?
What if the 14 inch gap in the floor of the track was closed of, would he have gotten wedged in the middle?
What if?
What if the ride was not so dark, would it have been so scary?
What if?
What if there were cameras watching for things like this to happen, would someone have found him early enough to bring him back?
What if?
What if height requirement was just a few inches higher would my brother have gotten on the ride?...
So many questions so little answers!
Was it my brother's ordained time to go... I doubt it!
to be continued...
