The Jet Star rollercoaster, which has become the poster child of Hurricane Sandy as it sits in its watery grave in Seaside Heights NJ, was the center of attention this morning, Jan. 8, 2013, as a local man climbed the structure and planted the American Flag on the top of the ride.
As reported in the Asbury Park Press, an unidentified Lavallette man paddled his canoe to the site of the wreckage and climbed the structure and hung the flag because he was very patriotic as described by Police Chief Thomas Boyd.
If he wanted attention, he got it courtesy of the New Jersey State Police, the US Coast Guard and the Seaside Heights Police Department, who helped him down off the structure and promptly took him into custody.
The roller coaster was an icon of the Casino Pier boardwalk for generations and after the storm was called a “great tourist attraction” by Mayor Bill Akers who retracted that statement days later after public outrage over the comment. Today’s incident is a prime example of why that was such a bad idea.
Police are expected to release more details of the man’s identity and any charges that may be filed later in the day.
To take a final ride on the Jet Star click here.
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