N.J. Ocean Roller Coaster: Most Famous Symbol Of Sandy’s Devastation To Be Removed From Jersey Shore

The New Jersey roller coaster left in the ocean, perhaps the most famous symbol of Superstorm Sandy’s devastation, will be removed from the Jersey shore next week.

Demolition work is to start Tuesday on the remains of the Jet Star, the roller coaster that plunged off an amusement pier in Seaside Heights during the Oct. 29 storm that devastated the area.

The spokeswoman for Casino Pier said that it should take about four days to remove the ride.

"We are thrilled about this," Mastoris said. "We've been waiting for this for a long time. It shows we're making progress and that we'll be open and ready for the summer."

Images of the coaster in the water have been appeared hundreds of times in the media and have been used to help sell memorabilia to raise money for storm victims. The New Jersey roller coaster is featured on a popular car magnet sold by 1 of the many charities raising money.

It also continues to draw large crowds to the Seaside Heights boardwalk, which remains under construction.

Casino Pier has hired Weeks Marine, an experienced maritime contractor, to do the work of removing the roller coaster. Mastoris said, "They're planning on taking it apart piece by piece and taking it away. They're going to take a crane around and take pieces off."

Work crews will operate around the clock until the last of the coaster’s piece has been removed.

In January, a man who lives nearby climbed to the top of the coaster and unfurled an American flag atop it before climbing down, only to be arrested by the police.

The work to remove the coaster will begin a few hours after Britain’s Prince Harry leaves Seaside Heights. The royal is visiting the Ocean County community Tuesday as part of his American tour.