Girl, 14, Dies After ‘Drowning’ At Amusement Park; Safety Concerns Raised

A 14-year-old girl has died after she fell from an inflatable platform at an amusement park in Ohio and was under water for about half an hour before being found, according to authorities.

In the Tuesday incident, Mykiara Jones fell from some sort of jumping platform around 5 p.m. at the Land of Illusion’s Aqua Adventures Waterpark in Middletown, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office said in a release, adding that the girl was not wearing a life jacket.

Emergency crews were called to the scene for a report of a juvenile drowning, said the release. Jones was located by a Land of Illusion lifeguard at 5.30 p.m., 30 minutes after she fell into the water, Dayton Daily News reported.

According to Madison Township Fire Chief Kent Hall, it took time to locate Jones because the waterbody was more like a “pond” and was not as clear as a swimming pool.

The teen girl was airlifted to the Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Authorities have launched an investigation but a cause of death has not been determined yet.

"This is a tragedy no parent should have to endure," Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones was cited as saying in the release, adding: "These are the calls first responders dread and have difficulty dealing with," he added.

As per the Sheriff’s office, a large number of complaints against the amusement park have been made since the incident. The complaints allege that the park does not have certified lifeguards, life vest rules are not in place and rescue equipment is not easily available.

"I feel it’s very important to obtain all relevant facts to ensure everything is being done according to regulations and safety guidelines," Sheriff Jones said. The Sheriff’s office plans to include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the claims made in the complaints.

The park said it will close Wednesday as officials investigate the girl's death. "Land of Illusion Adventure Park is committed to providing a safe and fun recreation destination for our region," the amusement park stated in a Facebook post. "We prioritize guest safety and training for our team and diligently comply with all Ohio regulations governing the activities and offerings available at our Aqua Adventure Park."

Earlier this month, an 11-year-old died and one other was hospitalized in critical condition after a raft overturned on a water ride at an amusement park in Iowa.