Who were Wongel Estifanos's parents? Girl, 6, killed in Colorado thrill ride identified
A six-year-old girl who died on Sunday, September 5 night, after falling off a ride at a Colorado amusement park was “beautiful, caring, and cheerful,” her family says.
Wongel Estifanos of Colorado Springs died of “multiple blunt force injuries” after falling from the 110-foot Haunted Mine Drop ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, KMGH reported. She was visiting the park while on vacation with her family. Audio released of 911 dispatchers handling the emergency includes a call for counselors for the girl’s extended family of about 20, who were “very distraught,” KDVR reported. Wongel was a student at Stetson Elementary School in Colorado Springs, reported KRDO.
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She was pictured by organizers of a GoFundMe page, who are aiming to raise $50,000 to cover "the funeral cost and other expenses of the family at this difficult time." The fundraiser was created by Estifanos' aunt who wrote, "Our brother Estifanos and sister Rahel have lost their beautiful daughter Wongel Estifanos tragically in an accident on September 5, 2021, while riding the Mine Drop Ride in Glenwood Springs vacationing with her family. Wongel was a beautiful, caring, and cheerful girl who loves Jesus so much for a six-year-old girl. Her life was cut short in this tragic accident. Her parents, families and all the community are devastated by this tragic and sudden loss. We want all the community to stand with the family during unthinkable loss. We understand nothing will bring her back, but we do not want this to be an additional burden to the parents; hence asking for your help in this matter. Your support will help cover the funeral cost and other expenses of the family at this difficult time." The page has raised $30,701 of the $100,000 goal.
The Haunted Mine Drop that Wongel somehow fell out of first started in 2017, and was specifically designed without shoulder restraints to make the dramatic drop "a little bit more scary," its designer, Stan Checketts, when the attraction first opened. It is still being interrogated that how a young child was allowed to board the ride, which was created to provide a wild experience. The investigation, conducted by the Glenwood County Sheriff's Office, will take weeks, with a report not be ready for months, officials told CBS. The park was closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and will not reopen until Saturday, September 11.
Previous visitors to the attraction claimed that safety belts on the ride were not attached tight enough, leaving them fearful for their safety. "I rode that ride in June and the young girl running the ride didn't seem to know what she was doing," rider Sarah Akard wrote on Facebook. "My safety belt wasn't tight and I felt like I was coming out of the ride. I tried to tell her but they started the ride. I'm thankful I was able to hold myself in. Prayers to the family and those on the ride." Checketts, the ride's designer, initially told KDVR that they made the decision to omit shoulder restraints in its design to make it "a little bit more exciting."