WILDWOOD — An 11-year-old girl who died this afternoon after falling 100 feet from a Ferris wheel on the Wildwood boardwalk has been identified as Abiah Jones of Pleasantville, a small suburban town outside of Atlantic City.

Wildwood Police Capt. Robert Regalbuto told The Press of Atlantic City the Ferris wheel was in motion when the girl fell from the ride's upper half.

The fall occurred about 12:30 p.m. at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier. Jones was pronounced dead at 1:14 p.m. at the Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House, Wildwood police said.

In a statement today, the pier owner said the cause of the fatal fall was being investigated but there did not appear to be any mechanical problems with the ride.

"The Morey staff and family offer our thoughts and prayers to the family," the statement said.

Following the fall, the 156-foot-tall Ferris wheel and a few other rides on the pier were closed. Later tonight, Morey's Piers closed out of respect for the girl's family. It will reopen tomorrow, according to Morey's president Will Morey.

The victim was a student at PleasanTech Academy Charter School in Pleasantville and was on a class trip visiting the amusement pier with classmates and chaperones, Wildwood police said.

The Ferris wheel was last inspected by the state Department of Community Affairs' division of codes and standards on March 17 and passed inspection, said DCA spokeswoman Hollie Gilroy.

Capt. Lynn Frame of the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said the incident is under investigation, but it appears to be an accident. New Jersey carnival amusement inspectors have arrived and are investigating the incident, along with Wildwood police.

Authorities were not certain whether the girl was riding on the Ferris wheel alone or with other people when the fall occurred.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Previous coverage:

• Middle school girl dies after falling from Wildwood Ferris wheel