The family of a 6-year-old girl who died after a go-kart crash last weekend has retained the Morgan & Morgan law firm, which alleges several go-karts had “mechanical failures.”Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Emma Riddle died from injuries sustained while riding the electric go-kart at Urban Air Adventure Park at 9020 South U.S. Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie.On Saturday night, she was airlifted to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce for medical care. On Sunday, the Port St. Lucie Police Department said it was notified that the child died from her injuries.”We have been hired by Emma Riddle’s family to find out how this unimaginable tragedy happened and what could have been done to prevent it,” founder John Morgan and attorney Thomas Hasty said in a statement Friday. “There has been a lot of confusion and misinformation in the media about the events that occurred on Dec 6. Based on our initial investigation, we believe that there were mechanical failures in several go-karts that were on the track at the time of Emma’s crash.”The law firm issued an updated statement after a preliminary report released by the police department that she was reported to not be wearing a seatbelt.”The go-kart had a seatbelt but our clients alleged that they were locked and inoperable and would not release,” the statement read. “Nonetheless, the ride operator allegedly activated their kart and allowed it to leave the starting line.” Earlier this week, an attorney managing part of The Gaines Law Firm told WPBF-TV that operators can be liable.”Even if the proprietor did everything that they can do to prevent the injury, they can still potentially be held liable,” Gaines said.Gaines noted customers sign a waiver that they “are giving up your child’s right and your right” to sue, even if the fault lies with the park.”They say even if it’s a defective product or a defective design, your claims to that would be written out,” Gaines said.Gaines emphasized there are ways to challenge them in court. The girl visited the amusement center with her mother and sister. Riddle and her mom were seated in a two-person go-kart while her older sister was in a single-rider go-kart. “Emma’s mom expected that the ride would operate safely and as intended,” the law firm said. “They were expecting a slow and controlled ride around the track.” That wasn’t the case in this instance.”From the first moments of operation, Emma and her mom’s go-kart was allegedly accelerating and braking suddenly and allegedly displayed a lack of responsiveness to pedal inputs,” the law firm said in a news release. “Their go-kart allegedly accelerated to a high speed without Emma’s mom engaging the accelerator and crashed into the track wall at a high rate of speed.”The police department said it responded at 8:51 p.m. after a call from an employee of the amusement center.”They were in a go-kart accident. Someone hit them from behind,” the woman said in a 911 call obtained by WPBF. “She hit her sternum really hard. She’s kind of incoherent. I think we need a medic right away.”The amusement park has not given details on the crash but issued a statement Monday about safety.”Our policies, procedures and equipment are designed to keep children and families safe, and the well-being of the children and families we serve is always our top priority,” Urban Air Adventure Park. “Our team responded immediately, and emergency personnel arrived on-site. We are working with state and local authorities as their investigation moves forward.”In an updated statement on Friday, the amusement park said it reopened on Thursday but the ride “will remain closed until further notice.”The annual inspection for all attractions was June 25, the operator said.The family is planning a memorial service for Riddle at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Calvary Chapel on Northwest St. James Drive in Port St. Lucie. The family has invited the public to attend.”Emma was a beautiful little girl with a bright future and so much love left to give,” the law office said. “We ask for privacy as her family grieves this tremendous loss.”The firm also provided a link to a GoFundMe page for the family, which states: “Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping with essential expenses during this difficult time.”Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
The family of a 6-year-old girl who died after a go-kart crash last weekend has retained the Morgan & Morgan law firm, which alleges several go-karts had “mechanical failures.”
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Emma Riddle died from injuries sustained while riding the electric go-kart at Urban Air Adventure Park at 9020 South U.S. Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie.
On Saturday night, she was airlifted to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce for medical care. On Sunday, the Port St. Lucie Police Department said it was notified that the child died from her injuries.
“We have been hired by Emma Riddle’s family to find out how this unimaginable tragedy happened and what could have been done to prevent it,” founder John Morgan and attorney Thomas Hasty said in a statement Friday. “There has been a lot of confusion and misinformation in the media about the events that occurred on Dec 6. Based on our initial investigation, we believe that there were mechanical failures in several go-karts that were on the track at the time of Emma’s crash.”
The law firm issued an updated statement after a preliminary report released by the police department that she was reported to not be wearing a seatbelt.
“The go-kart had a seatbelt but our clients alleged that they were locked and inoperable and would not release,” the statement read. “Nonetheless, the ride operator allegedly activated their kart and allowed it to leave the starting line.”
Earlier this week, an attorney managing part of The Gaines Law Firm told WPBF-TV that operators can be liable.
“Even if the proprietor did everything that they can do to prevent the injury, they can still potentially be held liable,” Gaines said.
Gaines noted customers sign a waiver that they “are giving up your child’s right and your right” to sue, even if the fault lies with the park.
“They say even if it’s a defective product or a defective design, your claims to that would be written out,” Gaines said.
Gaines emphasized there are ways to challenge them in court.
The girl visited the amusement center with her mother and sister. Riddle and her mom were seated in a two-person go-kart while her older sister was in a single-rider go-kart.
“Emma’s mom expected that the ride would operate safely and as intended,” the law firm said. “They were expecting a slow and controlled ride around the track.”
That wasn’t the case in this instance.
“From the first moments of operation, Emma and her mom’s go-kart was allegedly accelerating and braking suddenly and allegedly displayed a lack of responsiveness to pedal inputs,” the law firm said in a news release. “Their go-kart allegedly accelerated to a high speed without Emma’s mom engaging the accelerator and crashed into the track wall at a high rate of speed.”
The police department said it responded at 8:51 p.m. after a call from an employee of the amusement center.
“They were in a go-kart accident. Someone hit them from behind,” the woman said in a 911 call obtained by WPBF. “She hit her sternum really hard. She’s kind of incoherent. I think we need a medic right away.”
The amusement park has not given details on the crash but issued a statement Monday about safety.
“Our policies, procedures and equipment are designed to keep children and families safe, and the well-being of the children and families we serve is always our top priority,” Urban Air Adventure Park. “Our team responded immediately, and emergency personnel arrived on-site. We are working with state and local authorities as their investigation moves forward.”
In an updated statement on Friday, the amusement park said it reopened on Thursday but the ride “will remain closed until further notice.”
The annual inspection for all attractions was June 25, the operator said.
The family is planning a memorial service for Riddle at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Calvary Chapel on Northwest St. James Drive in Port St. Lucie. The family has invited the public to attend.
“Emma was a beautiful little girl with a bright future and so much love left to give,” the law office said. “We ask for privacy as her family grieves this tremendous loss.”
The firm also provided a link to a GoFundMe page for the family, which states: “Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping with essential expenses during this difficult time.”
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.