Monday, Feb. 24, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
A 3-year-old Las Vegas girl who died after becoming wedged beneath a thrill ride during her birthday party at a Pistol Pete's Pizza outlet has been identified as Myesha Robertson.
About 50 friends and family were celebrating Myesha's birthday at Pistol Pete's, 350 N. Nellis Blvd. at Stewart Avenue, about 9 p.m. Saturday when the girl got caught in an octopus-armed ride's mechanism, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said.
Children sit in spinning cars at the end of the octopus arms, said Shonna James, spokeswoman for the restaurant chain's headquarters in Phoenix, Ariz. Robertson stood up and fell out when it was operating, James said.
The girl died from multiple traumatic injuries, the coroner's office said.
A Metro Police investigation over the weekend determined that the death was accidental, a coroner's spokeswoman said.
Paramedics responded, but the girl's injuries were so severe that she could not be saved, Leinbach said.
"It was unclear how she got there," Leinbach said. "The family was so upset, and there was so much confusion going on. What happened was such a tragedy."
Pistol Pete's promotes its Nellis "super store" with its giant playland and two roller coasters for children's birthday parties. The restaurant was expanded and remodeled a year and a half ago, James said.
"As a restaurant that prides itself on providing safe family fun and entertainment, we are extremely dismayed by this incident," James said. "We can tell you that in the company's 24-year history, we have never before had to address this type of tragedy."
James said the restaurant chain planned to contact Metro and the family to "offer our condolences and assist in any manner possible."
"In the meantime, with the exception of the ride under investigation, the Pistol Pete's Pizza restaurant will remain open and maintain regular business hours and operations," James said.
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