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Boardwalk Coaster Death Ruled Accidental
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CBS
Friends and co-workers are mourning the loss of an
international exchange student working at the Jersey Shore
who was killed after being struck by a roller coaster.
The Casino Pier closed its gates on boardwalk for several hours Thursday to
remember pier ride operator Stanlislav Dragnev of Bulgaria.
Dragnev, 21, was one of 54 exchange students working at the shore over the
summer. He died Wednesday after being struck by Star Jet rollercoaster Sunday.
Investigators say Dragnev went into a restricted area and stood up between the
tracks when he was struck from behind. He was trying to retrieve a child's
baseball cap that had fallen off during the ride at the time of the accident.
It was Dragnev's first summer working at Casino Pier; officials say it was the
21 year old Bulgarian exchange students' kindness toward others that cost him
his life.
"To bring your kids here and a tragedy like that happens. It reminds you
that life is so short," said Staci Grogan of Forked River.
Pier owners brought in a chaplain and grief counselors who speak Bulgarian to
comfort co-workers, as well as trained therapy dogs Orville & Wilbur.
"They are there to provide some affection, some times if one can't reach
out to human being reach out to animal, animals are very intuitive to
sorrow," said casino pier spokeswoman Marylou Halvorsen.
In Bulgarian tradition, friends will place flowers where Dragnev was struck,
and no music will be played on the pier Thursday. Star Jet roller coaster meets
all safety requirements by state ride inspectors who continue to investigate.
Out of respect, the coaster will remain closed until Saturday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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Philadelphia Region Local News
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