Photo Credit: Yahoo News The American Dream Water Park in East Rutherford has been temporarily closed due to an accident involving a decorative helicopter. The incident occurred on Sunday when the helicopter, which was suspended from the ceiling as part of the park’s decor, fell and crashed into the wave pool. The accident is currently being investigated by the state.
According to witnesses, the helicopter came loose from its moorings and fell approximately 30 feet before crashing into the water. The incident caused panic among the park-goers, many of whom rushed towards the exits in fear. Four people were injured in the accident.
In response to the incident, the park’s management decided to close the water park immediately and issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused to the visitors. The state’s Department of Community Affairs is investigating the source of the accident, and ordered the park to remain closed for the duration of that investigation, which is expected to last until Friday.
“We regret to inform our guests that the water park will be closed until further notice due to an accident involving a decorative helicopter. The safety and well-being of our guests and employees are our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to investigate the incident and ensure that it does not happen again,” the statement read.
The helicopter was part of the park’s theme, which features an aviation-themed water park that includes various aircraft-themed attractions. The park management did not provide any information on the damage caused to the wave pool or the helicopter and how long the water park would remain closed.
The incident has caused concern among the visitors, many of whom have taken to social media to express their shock and disappointment. Some have criticized the park’s safety measures and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The American Dream Water Park, which opened in 2019, has been a popular destination for families and tourists, offering a range of water-based attractions, including water slides, a lazy river, and a massive wave pool. The park’s management has not yet announced when the water park will be reopened.
Sunday’s incident is just the latest in what’s been a rocky start for the entertainment complex since it opened. Last spring, the mall was locked down after a man was shot inside the facility and sustained serious injuries. In December, a Long Island man died after falling from the indoor ski slope. And just this month, lenders who helped finance the long-delayed construction of the project sued American Dream’s owners, saying they’re owed nearly $400 million.
