A 5-year-old boy was injured when he tried to wriggle out of a kiddie roller coaster before it came to a stop at Coney Island Wednesday, authorities say.
The boy was riding the Serpent coaster with his sister at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, amusement park officials said. He crawled underneath the lap-retaining bar and jumped off the ride before it stopped.
His 8-year-old sister, who was riding with him, told NBC 4 New York on Thursday that he seemed scared before he tried to get out.
"I told him not to, but he was crying 'Mama, mama,' and I holded him but then I couldn't hold him that much and then let go," his sister said.
The family said the boy broke a bone and had cuts. He's expected to be OK.
Witnesses watched in horror as the boy appeared to get caught under the coaster.
"There was a little boy that was sort of wedged on the track and a portion of the ground," said Leroy Mace.
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Park officials said he met the height requirement for the ride.
Dennis Vourderis, Deno's vice president, said the ride is inspected, approved and has never had a problem in its 15 years.
"The investigation is showing that the lap bar was securely fastened, and he just wiggled his way out from underneath it. He was frightened," Vourderis said.
Deno's is a small amusement park at West 12th Street and the boardwalk featuring mostly children's and family rides. Parkgoers wondered how the 5-year-old could have so easily escaped a ride made for kids.
"When you're having a young child ride a ride, it becomes an issue of adults, staff at the park, to make sure all straps and locks in place," said Mace.
-- Checkey Beckford contributed to this report.
