BUENA PARK, Calif. -- Terror came to life at an amusement park Halloween celebration when costumed ghosts and goblins witnessed a teenager climb out of the 'parachute ride' gondola and leap 200 feet to his death.
Donald Day, 18, of Glen Avon, Calif., made the apparent suicide plunge Sunday night at Knott's Berry Farm during its annual 'Knott's Scary Farm' weekend party.
It was the first death at the amusement park.
Police said Monday that Day climbed over the ride's safety rail and fell 200 feet to his death. A 16-year-old friend was in the gondola when Day fell, officers said.
An autopsy showed the cause of death as a skull fracture and multiple injuries. Further tests were to be performed to determine if Day was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
'We're listing the death as accidental,' police spokesman Terry Branum said, 'but we have a few unanswered questions we're looking into.' He added that there were indications it may have been a suicide.
Branum said Day had given his friend the keys to his motorcyle, money to buy gasoline and the key to a locker, which police found to contain only the vehicle's registration.
Park spokeswoman Robin Anderson said there was 'no operational problem, no malfunction' with the ride. Knott's closed the attraction and some rides around it while police conducted an investigation Sunday.
All of the park's rides were operating Monday.
