Two Adults, One Child Injured in Log Ride Malfunction at Riverside Amusement Park

RIVERSIDE (CNS) - A woman was critically injured and her husband and child suffered less severe injuries yesterday (Saturday) when the log ride at the Castle Park amusement park in Riverside malfunctioned and threw them into the water, authorities said.
   The accident was reported about 4 p.m. Saturday at Castle Park, 3500 Polk St., Riverside Fire Department Capt. Brian Guzzetta said.
   The failure of a pump that normally provides an ample flow of water to slow the ride as it descends down a slope caused the car the family was in to gain too much speed and hit the bottom unusually hard, throwing the three out of the car,  Guzzetta said.
   They quickly were removed from the shallow water, but the woman suffered injuries that left her in critical condition, Riverside Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst said.
   The man suffered moderate injuries and the child had minor injuries.
   All three were taken by paramedics to a trauma center for treatment, Vanderhorst said.
   The log ride and adjacent rides were shut down for investigations by the city of Riverside and Castle Park, Guzzetta said.
   The rest of the rides remained open.
   He estimated that ``several thousand'' people were at the park Saturday.