Playland rides undergo safety scrutiny

A new independent report on ride safety was released Tuesday in the wake of three deaths in four years at Rye Playland Park. Jerry Aldrich, a safety consultant, was hired by Westchester County Executive

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 8:56 PM

Updated 3,755 days ago

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A new independent report on ride safety was released Tuesday in the wake of three deaths in four years at Rye Playland Park.
Jerry Aldrich, a safety consultant, was hired by Westchester County Executive Andy Spano to go undercover and check out safety and security measures. The study showed some improvements and pointed out some areas that could still use some work.
The analysts found an overall improved oversight and attentiveness by ride operators at Playland. However, they also found some posted instructions and signs on certain rides to be confusing. The experts also recommended stronger warnings on the "Ye Olde Mill" ride where a young Connecticut boy died two years ago.
Aldrich says lessons have been learned, specifically with ride workers. In June, one of those workers, 21-year-old Gabriela Garin, lost her life on the Mind Scrambler ride. The county and state found the park itself was not to blame for her death.
However, the findings of the independent review have some people breathing a bit easier. Legislator Ken Jenkins was especially critical of the privately run rides at Playland, which included the Mind Scramber, which has now been shut down for good.
The county was planning to buy all the privately run rides at Playland in order to have more control. However, that too is also under review.
Related InformationLawmakers seek study to boost Playland safety Playland death prompts call for buyout of private rides Officials probe cause of Rye Playland death Playland death raises questions about ownership