Executive Summary
- Preliminary police findings indicate 6-year-old Emma Riddle was not wearing a seat belt during the fatal crash.
- Investigators noted a lack of safety signage beyond the ride’s entrance.
- The family’s legal representation alleges potential mechanical failures with the go-karts.
- The specific vehicle involved has been impounded for safety inspection.
A preliminary police report released following the death of a 6-year-old girl at Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, indicates the child was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the fatal collision. Emma Riddle died on Sunday, one day after sustaining injuries when the go-kart she was riding in was struck by another vehicle at the indoor amusement facility.
According to the heavily redacted report obtained by local media, investigators reviewing surveillance footage of the incident noted that the child "was reported not to have been wearing her seat belt" when the crash occurred. The document further states that the cart Emma occupied, identified as "bumper cart #16," was hit from behind. Following the incident, the vehicle was removed from service to undergo a full inspection.
A Port St. Lucie police officer at the scene documented concerns regarding safety communication within the facility. The officer’s report noted a lack of visible signage instructing patrons to wear seat belts, observing such warnings only "at the beginning of the ride." The facility remains closed as authorities continue to piece together the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
Stuart Kaplan, an attorney not connected to the case, commented on the operational responsibilities inherent to such venues. "When you go to these go-kart facilities… an attendant comes around, and he or she is supposed to ensure that your seat belt not only is properly fastened, but that in fact it is fastened," Kaplan stated. He argued that liability waivers signed by parents may not absolve the facility if there is evidence of operational deficiency or negligence by staff tasked with safety compliance.
In a separate statement, the law firm representing the Riddle family alleged that several go-karts at Urban Air Adventure Park may have suffered from mechanical failures. While Port St. Lucie police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, they have also noted that the case may not necessarily result in criminal charges.
Investigative Outlook and Safety Standards
The ongoing inquiry into this fatality underscores significant concerns regarding the enforcement of safety protocols at recreational amusement centers. Authorities are currently focused on determining whether the absence of the seat belt was due to mechanical malfunction, patron error, or a lapse in staff supervision. The findings from the inspection of the vehicle and the review of operational procedures will likely determine potential civil liability and necessitate a review of municipal or state oversight regarding indoor adventure park regulations.
