Baby dies in fall from carnival ride in Tagum

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—A year-old girl died after falling off one of the rides at a carnival here on Tuesday, police said.

Superintendent Solomon de Castilla, Tagum City police chief, said Allysa Jade Omayao died at a local hospital around 4 a.m. Wednesday due to severe injuries after falling 15 feet from a cable car operated by the Mary Rose Carnival beside the national highway about a kilometer from the city proper.

The victim’s father, Edwin Omayao, told police the accident happened while he was hawking toys outside the fairgrounds past 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“A female friend of the Omayaos identified only as Lablab allegedly ‘borrowed’ the child and treated her to a ride on the contraption when the accident happened,” De Castilla told the Inquirer by mobile phone, adding the Omayaos are from Davao City.

Edwin Omayao peddles toys and other goods outside the carnival grounds.

De Castilla said Lablab rushed back to the shocked father, carrying the bleeding child. The victim was rushed to the United Doctors’ Hospital in downtown Tagum but expired several hours later while undergoing treatment.

The Tagum police chief said an investigation was under way to find out if the filing of charges against the carnival operator was warranted.

“We’re also looking at the degree of liability of that certain Lablab who had accompanied the victim for the ride. Mayor Allan Rellon has already been informed since it’s the city government that has the authority to order suspension or closure of the carnival’s operation,” he added.

For a couple of years now, the carnival has been an attraction in Tagum fiesta celebrations every November. Its rides include the cable car, a 12-gondola Ferris wheel, a carousel and a mini-roller coaster, among others.

It has been operating in the city for over a month already.

Tuesday’s accident was the first time for the carnival.