Daily Mail
Mom desperately tried to stop go-kart before six-year-old daughter was killed on 'malfunctioning' ride
By WILL POTTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
Published: 22:01 EST, 12 December 2025 | Updated: 04:04 EST, 13 December 2025
A six-year-old Florida girl was tragically killed when a go-kart she was riding in with her mother malfunctioned and violently accelerated them into a wall, the stricken family's attorney claims.
The family of Emma Riddle obtained attorneys from Morgan and Morgan after the young girl lost her life in the freak accident at Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St Lucie, Florida, on Saturday.
In an update sent to the Daily Mail by the law firm, it was alleged that the tragedy unfolded when Emma and her mother rode in a go-kart together.
The go-karts are described as operating 'like an amusement park ride', in that they are unable to be used until an employee remotely activates them.
According to the statement, as soon as an employee turned on Emma and her mother's go-kart, it began accelerating and braking aggressively, and the vehicle wasn't responding to the riders pressing on the pedals.
It is alleged that the fatal crash occurred when the go-kart accelerated at 'high speed' without Emma's mom pressing on the accelerator, and it slammed into a track wall 'at a high rate of speed.'
The update comes after 911 audio revealed the chaotic aftermath of the crash, where a worker at the adventure park said the little girl suffered gruesome injuries after she 'hit her sternum really hard.'
The panicked worker added: 'I don't know if she's throwing up blood or if it's coming from her nose, down her throat... But she keeps trying to throw up.'
Emma was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening, but tragically died the next day after undergoing surgery.
In a statement from Morgan and Morgan, attorney Thomas Hasty said the law firm was hired by Emma's family 'to find out how this unimaginable tragedy happened and what could have been done to prevent it.'
'There has been a lot of confusion and misinformation in the media about the events that occurred on December 6th,' the statement read.
'Based on our initial investigation, we believe that there were mechanical failures in several go-karts that were on the track at the time of Emma’s crash.
'Emma was a beautiful little girl with a bright future and so much love left to give. We ask for privacy as her family grieves this tremendous loss.
Hasty added: 'The go-kart had seatbelts but our clients allege that they were locked and inoperable and would not release.
'Nonetheless, the ride operator allegedly activated their kart and allowed it to leave the starting line. Emma’s mom expected that the ride would operate safely and as intended. They were expecting a slow and controlled ride around the track.'
The tragedy occurred as Riddle was celebrating her sister's birthday at the amusement park.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Urban Air Adventure Park said the company is 'heartbroken' by the tragedy, 'will continue to keep the child’s family and loved ones in our thoughts.'
'We have supported the efforts of state and local authorities to investigate and will continue to assist with those investigations,' the spokesperson said.
The statement said that the park re-opened on Thursday, four days after the accident, but the go-karting attraction will be closed until further notice.
'The safety and well-being of the children and families we serve will continue to be our highest priority. We are reiterating the importance of our safety policies and procedures to our team as we welcome guests back to the park,' the spokesperson continued.
'Words cannot express how devastated we are by this incident. We appreciate the efforts of the Port St. Lucie community to support the family and loved ones of the child, and we continue to offer our deepest sympathies.'
The girl's father declined to speak on camera when approached by CBS12, but told the outlet their family has been left 'grief-stricken' by the tragedy.
In a GoFundMe set up to support the family, Emma was described as 'full of life, love and light'.
'Though her time with us was far too short, Emma filled every moment with laughter, compassion, and warmth,' the fundraiser read.
'She will forever remain a precious daughter, sister, friend, and a cherished gift from God.
'Forever in our hearts, Emma will continue to shine as the angel she has always been.'
Locals in the girl's community in Port St Lucie told CBS12 they were devastated to hear of the go-karting accident.
Jackie McConnell, property manager at rental company Oleander Oaks, said she 'can't believe it', and said she 'hasn't stopped crying'.
'Emma, sweetest little girl. Passed by every day, waved at the window at our leasing office. We interacted every single day. Not to see her riding her scooter, walking her puppy, it's just, I can't even tell you,' she said.
Neighbor Bryania Beauford added: 'Every time I seen that little girl, I would always say she's just so beautiful. She would melt my heart, and she was so sweet.
'And it just breaks my heart to hear that she's no longer here with us.'
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