Roller Coaster Swept To Sea By Sandy Will Not Remain In Atlantic As Tourist Attraction

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ -- A roller coaster swept off a New Jersey amusement pier and into the Atlantic by superstorm Sandy will not remain there as a partially submerged tourist attraction. Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers said in the Asbury Park Press that the town and the owners of the Casino Pier are in talks to remove what remains of the Jet Star Roller Coaster.

The mayor last week told NBC News New York that the coaster would make a "great tourist attraction," which he now says "was not the brightest comment."

Built by Italy's Interpark, the coaster had about 1,800 feet of tracks and originally stood 50.7 feet at its apex. The steel structure was the star attraction at FunTown Amusement Pier, owned by Bill Major. The hurricane pulled the pier right out from under the coaster like a magician pulling a tablecloth off of a fully set table. | SEE STORY

Elsewhere in Seaside Heights, at least one amusement arcade and a carousel survived the hurricane relatively intact. Demolition crews have completed removal of the town's hurricane-damaged boardwalk. Mayor Akers said a new boardwalk will be installed and ready by Memorial Day.