Toddler Falls from Sky Ride on Jersey Shore Boardwalk

A family outing on the Jersey Shore turned terrifying when a 2-year-old girl fell from a chairlift-style amusement ride and tumbled onto the sand below.

The frightening incident happened on the Casino Pier Sky Ride in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, where the toddler was riding with her 31-year-old aunt and a 3-year-old boy.

Authorities said the little girl apparently slipped from the ride before it began moving, falling first onto the ride’s entrance platform before tumbling down onto the sand.

Her aunt immediately sprang into action, jumping from the ride herself to reach the child and landing nearby on the sand.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene while Casino Pier employees shut down the Sky Ride.

The 3-year-old boy was still on the ride following the commotion, prompting firefighters to use a ladder to safely bring him down.

Despite the alarming fall, authorities said the toddler, her aunt and the young boy escaped without any apparent serious injuries.

Emergency medical workers examined all three at the scene before taking them to Community Medical Center in Toms River as a precaution.

Officials said none of them complained of pain or showed obvious signs of injury.

The group was visiting Seaside Heights from Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Police and state amusement ride officials are now investigating exactly how the toddler managed to fall.

Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman told Patch that investigators did not immediately find any apparent mechanical problems with the Sky Ride, and preliminary indications suggested the attraction had been operating properly.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees amusement ride safety in the state, is also investigating and will determine whether any additional action is necessary.

The Sky Ride has been operating at Casino Pier since 1983. Built by Borvig, the attraction carries riders roughly 10 to 12 feet above the boardwalk.

Casino Pier shut the ride down immediately following the incident as authorities worked to determine what went wrong.

What began as a routine day at one of the Jersey Shore’s most popular boardwalk destinations could have ended far worse — but miraculously, everyone involved appeared to walk away without serious injury.