20 °F Ocean City, US
December 14, 2025

Fatal accident at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier

A worker for a subcontractor fell from a lift while working on the Ferris wheel at Gillian’s
Wonderland Pier Monday morning. The worker died from his injuries.
(Craig D. Schenck/Ocean City Sentinel)

OCEAN CITY – A welder working on the Ferris wheel at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier fell from a lift Monday morning and died from his injuries.

He was identified as Robert W. Sanger, 62, of Pittsgrove, an employee of Cargo Tech International of Swedesboro. He was pronounced dead at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.

At 10:32 a.m. Monday, May 2, Ocean City Fire Department EMTs responded to the call at Wonderland Pier, according to Ocean City public information officer Doug Bergen. He added the fall remains under investigation by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A large blue lift remained in place next to the Ferris wheel Monday.

Jay Gillian, president of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, issued a statement Monday afternoon.

“We are saddened to report that an employee of a subcontractor working on a lift at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier suffered a fatal injury Monday morning,” Gillian wrote.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. We are cooperating with all appropriate authorities to thoroughly investigate the cause of this tragic accident,” Gillian wrote. “As we get more information we will provide it.”

Gillian, who is running for re-election as mayor in the May 10 election, announced via email that he was suspending his campaign activities.

By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff

Related articles

Ocean City police arrest six juveniles after they flee stolen car

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City police charged six juveniles after they fled a motor vehicle stop Saturday evening. According to the Ocean City Police Department, uniformed patrol officers stopped a motor vehicle at the intersection of Ninth Street and West Avenue about 8:17 p.m. Saturday, June 8. The vehicle was reported stolen from Camden. As […]

Business groups worried for members’ future

Concerns grow in Ocean City, Upper Township, mainland, Cape May County By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff Local business owners are struggling due to mandated shutdowns, limited hours and fewer customers amid the COVID-19 crisis, and it’s not clear when things will get better — for those that even survive. Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all nonessential […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *