Girl's death, complaint halt Star City operations

Four days after its quiet "grand opening," the Pasay City engineer's office ordered Tuesday the suspension of operations at the Star City theme park amid fresh reports of supposed mishaps inside the amusement center. The development came on the same day that Star City management said it has reached a settlement with the family of Rachel Suba, the 13-year-old patron who plummeted to her death less than two weeks ago. Radio station dzBB reported Tuesday afternoon that city engineers ordered the stoppage to inspect all of the park's amusement rides. It quoted Pasay officials as saying the decision to suspend operations stemmed from a complaint lodged by the family of Michaela Lumico of Tugatog, Malabon City. Michaela's family said the ride's operators allowed the girl to "drive" a bump car that scared her after sparks flew from under it between 6 and 7 p.m. Monday. "Operators allowed her to ride the bump-car by herself because she was big enough to fit in it. But the car suddenly sparked from underneath and it scared Michaela. She was traumatized and could not sleep," dzMM radio quoted Michaela's aunt Princess Sto. Domingo as saying Tuesday. During the ride, Michaela said she saw sparks beneath the car. She claimed smoke came out of the undercarriage. Michaela quickly got off the car and ran to her parents and relatives. Last September 9, Suba fell to her death from the Wild River ride also in Star City. The incident prompted the park to beef up its safety measures before its opening last Friday. The victim was laid to rest Monday. Her parents were quoted in previous media reports as saying that they do not harbor ill feelings against Star City since Rachel's death was an accident. Settled Rachel's father Rodolfo attended Tuesday's Joint Meeting of the House Committees on Games and Amusements and Government Reorganization about state regulations for theme parks. Radio station dzBB said Rodolfo, a law enforcer with the rank of Senior Police Officer (SPO) 3, has yet to sign a "quit claim" stating that his family would not pursue legal charges against Star City. Lawyer Rodnil Bugay, representing Star City management, said the Subas have agreed to accept compensation ranging from P200,000 to P500,000 based on the firm's insurance policy. Bugay was quick to note that the amount does not include additional financial assistance that the theme park would supposedly extend to the Subas. He did not specify how much the additional assistance was worth. A GMA News report said Rodolfo has accepted the offer, although the latter admitted that the final details still need to be resolved. Rodolfo refused to comment further. In a related development, congressmen proposed the creation of an Amusment Safety Board that would regulate operations of theme parks and carnivals around the country.-GMANews.TV