The father of a South Carolina teenager decapitated by a roller coaster at a Georgia amusement park said Sunday that family members may never know why he hopped two fences to enter a restricted area.
Police said Asia LeeShawn Ferguson IV, 17, of Columbia, S.C., died when he was hit by the Batman roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Saturday. The ride was to remain closed through Monday out of respect for his family.
"Police investigators tried to tell us what they thought happened, but nobody knows but my son and the Lord," Ferguson's father, Asia Ferguson III, told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "We don't know because we weren't with him at the time."
The elder Ferguson said he and other family members were at the park with a group of nearly 70 people from Oakey Spring Baptist Church near Springfield, S.C. They were taking a break to picnic outside the park, and his son returned ahead of the group.
"When we finished our picnic, we were going back in," he said. "Before we could get there, someone called and said he had an accident."
Sgt. Dana Pierce said the younger Ferguson and another male apparently climbed two six-foot fences surrounding the roller coaster. Six Flags said in a statement that the areas were clearly marked with signs stating "Restricted area-Authorized Personnel Only," and "Danger Zone-Do Not Enter."
Pierce said an autopsy would be conducted Monday. Police are still investigating why Ferguson was in the restricted area.
Tags: Teen killed Batman rollercoaster Six Flags Asia LeeShawn Ferguson
