Parents, children react to ride incident at St. Anthony’s Bazaar
Two teens went flying towards the ground Sunday night off the “Sidewinder” at St. Anthony’s Bazaar, but are expected to be okay.
The bazaar was a little quiter than usual on the last of a 3-day fundraiser.
“I’ve always been skeptical of carnival rides. I don’t get on them myself. My kids do like them so it was even more paranoia running through my mind, ya know more then ever,” mother of two Jessica Macias said at the bazaar. “But I figured I’d keep them off those kind of rides and keep them on the ground level ones.”
Macias still would have been willing to let her kids ride on the carnival rides, if they were running. Her 9- and 12-year-olds were looking forward to a day of thrills.
On the second day of the bazaar, El Paso Police say two 13-year-olds, a boy and girl, fell off the “Sidewinder” while it was spinning and a door came open. A viewer photo showed the boy on the ground shortly after it happened. Both teens were transported to University Medical Center for treatment, but are expected to be okay.
The head seminary priest did not have a comment for ABC-7 on Monday because he doesn’t have all the facts about what happened before the two teens fell from the ride.
Even though the seminary took precautionary measures after the incident, organizers said they’re unsure if rides will return next year.
“Adults we come for the food and the drinks and buy trinkets but the kids wanna get on all the rides so it was a little disappointing to come and not get to enjoy that with them,” Macias said.
Deacon William Reyes spoke on behalf of the seminary. “It is a very unfortunate incident, the first time ever in 51 years. It is hard to say that (we won’t have rides next year) because we feel very sad for what happened even though it is an accident. The carnival is geared towards a family fun time. We have kept the youth and family members in our prayers to allow a full recovery,” Deacon Reyes said.
El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Children unit is continuing to investigate what happened. At this time no charges have been filed. ABC-7 did try to reach out to the woman listed on the ride permit with Sun City Amusement, but did not get a response back.
