EDWARDSVILLE — A lawsuit filed against the Village of Godfrey claims a two-year-old girl fell out of a barrel train ride at Glazebrook Park onto a gravel parking lot, and run over by the operator who pulled the train with a riding lawn mower.
Caitlin Smay filed suit Jan. 28 on behalf of her daughter Harper Smay over an incident that took place on Oct. 9, 2018.
The suit claims that Harper was fastened by a seat belt in the third of seven barrels on the train. After the train started, to the mother's surprise, it traveled outside her view.
"Based on accounts from other riders, during the ride, Harper began to stand up, as if attempting to get off the train," the lawsuit states. "The older children sitting behind her started yelling for the operator, who did not stop the train or turn around to check on the riders."
Harper is alleged to have been run over.
"The train never stopped for Harper," the suit claims.
When it returned to the starting point, Caitlin Smay claims she asked the operator where her child was, to which he is alleged to have said, "What do you mean?"
At about that time, the suit says, a woman appeared from the parking lot, which was busy with heavy traffic, holding Harper.
"The woman found Harper in the gravel parking lot alone and obviously injured," the suit says.
She was bleeding from deep wounds on her left knee, head, face and hand.
The plaintiffs hold the Village of Godfrey responsible because its employee allegedly failed to stop the barrel train when Harper Smay stood and failed to check and monitor children's safety.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendant for a sum exceeding $50,000, plus costs. They are represented by Matthew R. Chapman of Becker, Schroader & Chapman PC in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 19-L-0090