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Boy receives minor injuries after carousel panel from Jacksonville Zoo collapses

Vitale said the little boy was underneath the panel when it fell down and he got a bump on the head.

A boy received a "very minor injury" Friday night after a part of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens carousel collapsed, according to the zoo's spokesperson, J.J. Vitale.

Vitale said one of the ceiling panels that measures about 3-by-4 feet fell down during the ride.

"One of the panels got knocked from the part that goes up and down," she said.

Vitale said the little boy was underneath the panel when it fell down and he got a bump on the head.

"It scared him," she said. "But he got a very minor injury, a bump to the head, nothing serious. We talked to the family and they just wanted to go about their day after."

Credit: WTLV
Parts of a carousel at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens collapsed Friday night.

Other families were reportedly on board, but there were no other injuries reported. The ride was shut down immediately after the incident as crews worked to fix the issue.

"As soon as that happens with any of our rides, we immediately close it down until our team can inspect it and make sure it is safe," she said.

Friday night marked Spring Members' Night, so there were large crowds at the zoo, a witness, who didn't want to be identified, told First Coast News.

The witness said her seven foster children were on board of the carousel when the panel fell. She said there was "mass chaos" as while it was falling because kids were jumping from the ride to get out of the way.

Credit: FACEBOOK
The witness who didn't want to be identified said there was 'mass chaos' as the panel collapsed.

At this time, zoo officials don't know what caused the panel to collapse. Vitale said the carousel, along with other rides, are regularly inspected.

"The inspection was in January and it passed with flying colors," Vitale said.

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