Girl dies in Marikina carnival mishap; 6 others hurt

Christmas merriment at a carnival in Marikina City took a dreadful turn Monday evening after a car ride malfunction threw seven minors off their seats, killing a 10-year-old girl and injuring the others. GMA News' Flash Report identified the fatality as Catherine Diane Picandal, who rode the carnival's Scramble Ride at the Marikina Riverbanks. Her sister Kimberly was severely injured in the mishap, the report said. The other victims were identified as Dianalyn Reyes, 12; Robin Tamayo, 15, Rudy Tamayo, 13, Raymond Abagon, 17, and Ronald Abagon, 15. Superintendent Sotero Ramos, Marikina police chief, told dzBB radio that the victims were hurt after the screws near the car ride section where they were seated suddenly loosened and eventually gave way. Radio station dzBB said the carnival owners, identified as Elamor Esguerra and Jeffrey Magat, will be charged for the incident. The report did not provide further details on the nature of the possible offenses. Local government officials have suspended the carnival operations pending an investigation into the incident. Last September 9, a 13-year-old girl fell to her death from the Wild River ride in Star City, Pasay City. The incident prompted the park to beef up its safety measures.-GMANews.TV