Randolph Well I must say that America trains them really young. According to News24 (related link), a six-year old boy plunged 27 metres (9 storeys) to his death from the top of a Ferris Wheel at the San Joaquin County Fair. The article then glosses over a minor detail: the boy, who was alone in the gondola, tried to climb out!
Now I don't know much about you, but if my child of six wanted to go on a Ferris wheel, I'd sure as hell make sure he was under adult supervision. No amount of safety will keep a six year old boy from climbing out if he wants to get down.
I guess he's down now. Took the shortcut. Splat. My nomination for the 2006 Darwin Award.