EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — A damaged rope led to the plunge of a decorative helicopter into a swimming pool at a New Jersey water park last weekend, injuring four people, state investigators said.
The state Department of Community Affairs, which oversees New Jersey amusement parks, investigated with an engineering firm, which said “damage found on the wire rope used to suspend the helicopter was a direct contributing factor to the cause of the wire rope’s failure,” department spokesperson Lisa Ryan said.
Officials said that the helicopter was permanently removed, all remaining park features were deemed safe, and the cease-operations order issued by the Amusement Ride Safety unit was lifted.
The complex is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of New York City in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. In a statement earlier in the week, the mall said that it was reopening “having met all safety regulations and requirements following a rigorous investigation and review” by state and county officials and independent engineering consultants.
“We are excited to welcome guests back to the water park and look forward to seeing visitors enjoying the facility this weekend,” the statement said.
