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An evening of fun and celebration ended in tragedy at a Texas church carnival on Friday.
A teenage girl is dead and another was injured at the “Dia De Los Niños” carnival located in the parking lot of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in El Paso, Texas. NBC News reports that two girls aboard the “Sizzler” were thrown from the ride. Both were taken to hospital with the 16-year-old girl eventually succumbing to her injuries and the 15-year-old girl involved needing to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The church’s pastor Ed Roden-Lucero issued a statement addressing the tragedy. He expressed sorrow over the loss and pledged prayers for recovery.
As Pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, I am shocked, saddened and broken hearted for the inconsolable grief being experienced by the family of the young girl who lost her life at our parish event yesterday.
Our Dia del Niño Fiesta was meant to celebrate God’s blessing of family life and the great gift of children. The loss of her life in this accident on our parish grounds is incomprehensible to my parishioners and me. We pray that the Risen Lord give her eternal rest, and give consolation to her family and friends. We are all just profoundly sorry.
We also offer our prayers for the welfare of the girl who was injured. We pray for her rapid recovery.
The statement also includes the wish to cover funeral expenses for the deceased girl.
KFOX 14 notes that Playtime Amusements Inc. is the company in charge of the rides. Police say they will look into whether or not the vendor complied with the appropriate regulations.