Emma Riddle was celebrating her older sister's birthday at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when she crashed a go-kart into a wall and died from blunt-force trauma. She was 6 years old.
Background
The incident occurred the night of Dec. 6, according to the lawsuit filed Monday by Morgan & Morgan in Broward County Circuit Court. The family had wanted to ride the go-karts at the adventure park when an employee informed them the person who normally operated the track had gone home for the evening. Rather than close the attraction, the single employee decided to reopen and operate the track independently, despite manufacturer requirements calling for two operators—one to monitor the track for hazards and another to screen riders for eligibility.
According to the lawsuit, Emma was nearly a foot too short and 12 years too young to operate the go-kart based on manufacturer specifications. The signage at the park regarding age and height requirements was allegedly inaccurate. Despite these deficiencies, an employee allowed Emma behind the wheel without proper safety measures in place.
The Investigation
The lawsuit alleges multiple safety protocols were ignored that night. Emma's mother was riding alongside her daughter in the passenger seat but was unable to properly secure a seat belt across both riders, according to court documents. Despite this obstacle, the employee allegedly permitted Emma and four other riders to begin driving on the track.
Normally, operators are supposed to allow drivers approximately one minute to acclimate at 3 mph before reaching full speed. However, plaintiffs allege the operator skipped this critical safety step, allowing the karts to immediately reach their top speeds of 10 mph. The petition states Emma sideswiped a barrier wall and slammed into another wall, propelling her body into the steering wheel.
Paramedics rushed Emma to a hospital where she died from blunt-force trauma. Following an investigation, Urban Air agreed to pay $300,000 in fines for safety lapses, according to local NBC affiliate WPTV.
"Emma Riddle was a bright, beautiful 6-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short," Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan said in a statement. "What was meant to be a joyful family outing became every family's worst nightmare. Urban Air has a duty to protect every child that walks through their doors, and we allege that they failed Emma in the most devastating way imaginable."
Key Takeaways
- Emma Riddle died Dec. 6 at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie after crashing a go-kart into a wall
- The lawsuit alleges she was nearly a foot too short and 12 years too young to operate the vehicle per manufacturer requirements
- Only one employee operated the track despite two being required by safety protocols
- The operator allegedly skipped the mandatory acclimation period, allowing karts to reach top speed immediately
- Urban Air agreed to pay $300,000 in fines for safety violations following the incident
- Emma's family is represented by Morgan & Morgan, which filed suit in Broward County Circuit Court
What's Next
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park could face a civil trial over wrongful death allegations. The park has not publicly commented on pending litigation. Plaintiffs are seeking damages for negligence and assurances the company will implement stronger child safety protocols at its attractions nationwide.